Access Granted: DPS Shared, “Where We Are”

Access Granted: DPS Shared, “Where We Are”

In the EPiC “Black Parent Empowerment Series, part II” of Access to Advanced Academics, we began with an overview by Senior Program Strategist, Charity Gunn who shared context on the work done with Durham Public Schools and Black Parent Leaders last year around this topic and the data point from 2018-19 that showed areas of […]

Resilient, not invincible: The importance of self-care

Resilient, not invincible: The importance of self-care

In these trying times amidst a global pandemic, economic recession and the constant onslaught of violence against Black people, it is important for us to find joy and remain focused on our mental health. The media cycle is a perpetual reel of violence, depression and death, only adding to the burdens we all face in […]

PAAC Durham IMPACT: 2019-2020

PAAC Durham IMPACT: 2019-2020

On June 16th, we gathered for our final PAAC Durham meeting and celebration to close out another school year. We would like to publicly thank all the Black parents/guardians who chose to be a part of the Parents of African American Children Committees in their school. Some notable programming and advocacy include: Over 70% of […]

Black Homeschool Parent Panel: COVID-19 supports and resources for families to share

Black Homeschool Parent Panel: COVID-19 supports and resources for families to share

Black Parent Leader Collaborative is a coalition of Black leaders and people of color “in community” who advocate for race equity in education. Our mission has been to make space for Black and Brown community leaders in various organizations to strategically plan ways of operating, co-existing, co-sharing and collaborating for the benefit of marginalized community […]

EPiC good news; Support amidst COVID-19; Curriculum is Important

Empowered Parents in Community are a group of parents/guardians who want the same educational opportunities for Black children as anyone else. In 2016, a group of parents with Black children came together to better understand the “achievement gap” at their public school. At that time, parents and guardians were confused with the reason there was […]

Parent Panel – Impact of COVID-19; Awareness; and Lessons Learned

Black Parent Leader Collaborative is a coalition of Black leaders and people of color “in community” who advocate for race equity in education. Our mission has been to make space for Black and Brown community leaders in various organizations to strategically plan ways of operating, co-existing, co-sharing and collaborating for the benefit of marginalized community […]

Discipline Practices in DPS: Changed Name; Same Stories

Discipline Practices in DPS: Changed Name; Same Stories

When a student says they cannot exhibit playful behavior and know that they will be disciplined more severely than their peers, and the child is only in 4th grade, it is heartbreaking. When you have a parent who endures In School Suspension (ISS) to “prove her son wrong” only to be horrified that his assessment […]

Making the data useful for Black families

Making the data useful for Black families

Research reveals that when children are taught with a “growth mindset,” their teacher(s) have high expectations and uphold an increased academic rigor for all students. As a group, the Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC), rely on this research as a guiding principle. This principle is also a key component for the work of Parents of […]

Pathways of Academic Rigor

Pathways of Academic Rigor

Requests shared with DPS School Board members: EPiC’s Black Parent Leaders shared feedback and follow up with the District following our workshop. Check out the video. (Public comments begin at 32 minutes) Below, is the written request to our school board members for accountability. Academic success has also been a prioritization for parents and guardians […]

Black Parent Empowerment Workshop: Access to Advanced Academics

Black Parent Empowerment Workshop: Access to Advanced Academics

Supported by Durham Public Schools Deputy Superintendent, Director of Equity Affairs, and Director of Advanced Academics; two school Principals; a Black Male honors/AP teacher; a Durham Associate of Education equity-minded school counselor: two Black honors/AP high school students; and a North Carolina Central University honor student; along with six education vendors and nearly 100 attendees, […]