A lot has happened in the past seven weeks. My family and I had the opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of Ghana, the world witnessed excellence on the podiums in Paris, and students in Durham got a fresh start!  

Last month, my son began year-round middle school on July 22nd, along with 4700 other students who gained access due to DPS’s re-districting and creating more year-round school opportunities. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 2000 students gained the same access to year-round, rigorous curriculum. By creating this additional avenue to year round learning, DPS has extended access by over 100%. That is the goal of Growing Together.  We can check that box-off! Access to more magnet programs and nontraditional schools is being met. Good job Durham public school schools!

Amidst summer travel plans, the Paris Olympics, and the start of year-round school, I received the honor of having an Op Ed published in the Indy about Growing Together. The response to the Op Ed was as tremendous as it was diverse.  While more people reached out to me in thankfulness for the celebration of Growing Together and the rectification of resegregation, there have been some who have questioned the statistics that were shared regarding one of the schools mentioned in the article.

To be clear, I appreciate the steadfast work and commitment of the previous Director of AIG, Beth Cross and the current Director, Laura Parrott. And, I supported the creation of the parent advisory committee and the new goals for DPI that were working to address the resegregation happening within the school.

This is not an either/or scenario. As my partner in equity Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock often states, we can hold both truths at the same time.  We can appreciate the commitment and hard work being done by dedicated educators and administrators, while also advocating for equitable processes within. No particular person was blamed, nor was anything called out as nefarious.  I merely zoomed into the problem of inequity, and then zoomed out to the cause.  Not one person was cursed as the curator, and there was no mention of intentional chaos. Instead the system was reviewed and the question, “Where is the thread of equity here?” was posed.  

It is the system. It is the unconscious bias that is within all of us. Let’s be real, our nation’s history is filled with intentionally racist practices that deprived Black students of resources, opportunity, and access.  While there may not have been intention to disenfranchise black children and block their access to rigorous curriculum this time, the fact remains.  

We all have a moral obligation to ensure every student in Durham is presented with the same stimulating opportunities.   And we all have a responsibility as parents, leaders, and educators in this community to ask the tough questions, and speak out against the hoarding of opportunities for select children. 

As collectors of data, we have unique insight into the details that influence and impact our student’s trajectory and access.  A thread of equity should pass through each and every thing we do, especially in the things we do that involve our community’s future  leaders.  The question of, “Who is not present in this space, and why are they not receiving the same opportunity?” should always be at the forefront of our minds and embedded into our practices.   

Resegregation happens in our schools. Resegregation happens in our communities.  Resegregation happens in our corporations. Growing Together is intended to create a binding thread of equity across the entire school district, serving as a resolute roadblock to resegregation. Ensuring equity in access; equity in opportunity; equity in serving all children.

EPiC’s charge this year is accountability.  We will hold every system, process, or person charged with the development and growth of our young people accountable! We will hold the school system accountable! We will hold conversations and hear from those whose voices are not typically centered! What EPiC does well is authentically engage Black folks, and that is who you will hear from. We will champion our public schools while holding them accountable. We will help to change the perception about our public schools by highlighting those who are doing things well, while simultaneously shining light in places where improvement is urgently needed. We will affirm and empower Black families, understanding that Durham‘s future lies in its Black youth!

Join me on Aug. 29th from 12-1 with the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce when I share the importance of creating equitable schools, improving outcomes, and creating opportunities for Black youth to thrive.