LEE members and co-founders Kathryn Col
Black civic leadership has been
May is Asian American and Pacific Islan
"The system isn’t broken, but rather it is doing exactly what it was designed to do by institutionalizing and perpetuating racial advantage and disadvantage, and unequal distributions of money and power."
“The coaching through the Fellowship may have been the most impactful thing when it came to tackling issues as they came up in my work. My coach was able to give resources or new ways of thinking about an issue to find a solution.”
“We had an idea, the passion, and determination to support our immigrant community, and LEE helped provide guidance and samples to express and actualize our vision. The courses and support of LEE staff were helpful in providing necessary resources in the early stages of our venture."
“After participating in this fellowship, I am truly invigorated in this work and am determined to move forward in pursuing a role in policy that will impact students with disabilities. This shift in my vision came from my experience in the fellowship.”
If you are ready to bring your full self to the table and explore the intersections of your identity to better understand how your experiences and values have paved the way for you to be an elected leader in your community, apply to the LGBTQIA+ Political Leadership Program.
"I am an African-American transgender woman of Haitian descent. I am Jewish, an educator, and unapologetically proud of every aspect of my identity. I cherish my beautiful intersectionality because they define who I am.”
"There were no other outspoken queer voices in the room. I was able to become a voice that wouldn’t otherwise have been there.”
"I was able to meet people and create relationships that I’ve sustained beyond the workshop, and learned about the different paths and types of impact other leaders are making and ways that I could even potentially join them.”
"Ultimately, I want to couple academia, policy, and advocacy to innovate and implement solutions for people of color from low-income backgrounds."
“As white people, our actions and beliefs have tangible impact on the movement for educational equity, and we must assess our own behaviors and hold ourselves accountable to ensuring our most vulnerable students receive the education they deserve.”
"People most directly impacted by educational inequity need to collectively work together to design and implement policy strategies and campaigns that can elevate the support of our most vulnerable communities."
"My vision for ending educational inequity, then, is to assist people of color and all underrepresented groups in claiming positions of power, for themselves and their communities."
"I can see now the different ways that education intersects with politics, and why it’s critical to have voices advocating for students on all levels."
An APIA elected official asked the room full of participants if they had ever envisioned an Asian-American president before, and no one raised their hands despite everyone in the room being APIA themselves.
Tierra Jolly, a sixth-generation Washin
Every day, students who identify as Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) face the injustice of educational inequity in classrooms across the nation. APIA voices are too often silenced or disregarded because of the "model minority" myth and the idea that educational equity is a "black-and-white" issue.
Driven by the belief — and backed up by studies — that “highly effective educators are the single ingredient most likely to impact student achievement,” Profound Gentlemen provides career support for black male educators so they can, in turn, serve as mentors to boys of color, ultimately improving the students’ social and emotional well-being and increasing their opportunities for success.
4 tools, tips and practices you’ll learn from listening to this week’s podcast with Jada Drew
LEE Member Bruce Leal conducted policy research and worked to pass policy to ensure quality education for students who speak English as a second language in Hawaii.
LEE member Aura Cely (TFA San Antonio ’14) is a connector — of people, of resources, of ideas. She believes in the power of organizing to bridge gaps and bring neighbors together, and in making distinct resources to work in tandem and make an even greater impact.