Education forum will focus on education in the Black community

The Dallas Examiner

A State of Education in the Black Community forum, presented by Raise Your Hand Texas and The Dallas Examiner, is a panel discussion that will focus on critical challenges and concerns regarding educating students of color in today’s climate. It will also highlight the empowering work of local Black school leaders.

The two organizations partnered to host the event March 25 in hopes of empowering the African American community to support schools, students and leaders of color.

“The State of Education in the Black Community provides a mechanism for education leaders and decision makers to directly connect with community members and stakeholders to spur education advocacy in schools that serve predominantly Black students and communities,” said event organizer, Kaylan Dixon Smith, deputy counsel and Dallas County director for Raise Your Hand Texas.

Also known as RAISE, Raise Your Hand Texas is a nonpartisan, nonprofit education advocacy and policy organization focused on supporting local schools and students.

The forum will be moderated by local high school students. The panel will include leaders in education and elected officials who are knowledgeable about the education system and the Black community and are doing their part to make a positive impact toward a brighter future.

The panelist will be Aicha Davis, State Board of Education representative for District 13; Ty G. Jones, Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees representative for District 5; Mar Butler, founder and CEO of TREE Leadership, a group aimed at reducing negative behaviors associated with low socioeconomic status; Shareefah Mason, associate dean of Educator Certification; and Eric Hale, a Dallas ISD first grade teacher and 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year.

They will address the education of Black students, school funding, Black history and the curriculum, teachers of color in the classroom, student achievement tests, unique challenges of Black students in underserved neighborhoods, improving the education system, etc.

“This is an opportunity for educational organizations and local leaders and community members to come out and work with educational organizations and elected officials on behalf of our children,” said Robyn H. Jimenez, vice president of production and editorial at The Dallas Examiner. “We all know that our children are our future. I believe that we can work together to make a positive impact on their lives, their education and their future.”

The event is supported through sponsorship by National Panhellenic Council of Dallas, The Ervay Theater and The Dallas Examiner Vision Team.

The forum is open to the public and lunch bites will be provided for all attendees. It will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Ervay Theater, located at 1707 S. Ervay St. Register at tinyurl.com/y8uyk6ru.

This in-person event will also be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheDallasExaminer and https://www.facebook.com/RYHTDallas. For additional information, email kdixonsmith@ryht.org.

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