2025: The Year of Collective Responsibility

Posted on January 23, 2025

January is the one month of the year where a collective seriousness around goals, values, and life in general permeates through our society.  Some people take on the motto, “New year, new me.” Others proclaim, “Out with the old, in with the new!” We participate in this song and dance for a number of reasons.…

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An EPiC Origin Story

Posted on January 1, 2025

It all began in a single magnet school where the widening “achievement gap” between Black and White students could no longer be ignored. When parents realized the depth of these inequities, they rose up—not just for their children, but for all children who shared their struggle. United in purpose, they partnered with school administrators and…

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Let’s Break Barriers Together for Educational Justice

Posted on December 29, 2024

We can all agree that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in school. Systemic racism and bias have created an uneven playing field for Black students. Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC) intends to change that. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black parents within education. Although we started in one school…

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What I Want for the Holidays: Liberation List

Posted on December 19, 2024

A Note From the Executive Director, Jovonia Lewis When I think of a liberated education system, I see smiling, engaged children. I see joy in the eyes of our youngest learners; I see the curious minds of our middle school aged children, and I hear the innovative questions and plans of our high school children.…

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Count on Us to Hold Space, Especially During Tough Times

Posted on November 21, 2024

We are living in a society that is changing at a rate, alarmingly faster than anything generations before have experienced. We wake each morning to new technology, new policies, newly elected politicians, and even new grocery store layouts.  We are in a constant state of saying goodbye to what is considered old, yet familiar, having…

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CBS 17 Covers EPiC’s Community Conversations About School Discipline

Posted on November 20, 2024

Content below from CBS 17. See the original piece here. Black students in North Carolina suspended and expelled at higher rates, study shows DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Some central North Carolina parents received a reality check Wednesday night on discipline with Black students the state. A study posted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction…

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ABC 11 Covers EPiC’s Community Conversations About Discipline Disparities

Posted on November 20, 2024

Content below from ABC 11. See the full segment and original article here. Durham community centers discussions on decreasing crime, providing equitable learning environments DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — The people of Durham are diving into tough topics and are looking at solutions to provide equitable learning environments and decrease crime across the city. Many believe…

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Students with Disabilities Denied Access to Learning

Posted on October 17, 2024

Did you know that students with disabilities missed out on 3,145, 559 days of learning due to out-of-school suspensions in the 2017-2018 school year? Shockingly, students with disabilities are suspended at rates almost double than that of their peers without. When you are planning to send your child to school, one rarely thinks of the amount…

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A Strong Start for Durham Public Schools

Posted on August 22, 2024

DPS Begins the School Year with More Access 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…

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ABC 11 Features EPiC’s Community Conversation with Black Men

Posted on June 1, 2024

Content below from ABC 11. See their original story and watch the news segment here.  Workshop helps Black fathers support the mental health of their children DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — While many people enjoyed a gorgeous Saturday outdoors, nearly a dozen men spent hours indoors. They were fathers, father figures, and caregivers who attended a…

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