South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

Meanwhile, the school district reported that Black student enrollment fell in the district overall, and the Board of Ed voiced its continued support for Integration, Access & Equity.

“In honoring her legacy, the Coalition pledges to continue embracing the values Carol taught us, and to be unwavering as we strive toward the inclusive, equitable community she envisioned.”

“These myths rob an entire people of our humanity as we fight for our own survival and seek out the American dream, even as we navigate the innumerable and pervasive American nightmares,” said Ibi Zoboi, who has found a home in Maplewood, as have others with ties to Haiti.

“There’s nothing inevitable about America,” said Kim. “There’s nothing that we are destined for that will just occur on its own. If we have concerns about what’s happening, then the question is, what are we gonna do about it? What role are we going to play?”

This year’s program, “Upholding Dr. King’s Legacy in Challenging Times,” encourages the public to reaffirm commitment to racial equity and inclusion.

Despite her retirement from the Coalition on Race, Rowe signaled that her work — and that of the community — was not finished: “We’re gonna lean in and we’re going to make this community and this nation all that it should be.”

Links to videos, candidates’ profiles, campaign websites, and Q&As on equity, special education, arts education and more!

Questions also touched on school security, suspensions, making students feel like they belong, and ending the BOE “cycle of drama.”

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