Erika's Corner: February

This is Erika's monthly message from our e-newsletter. Sign up to receive future issues.

As we reflect on Black History Month and the ongoing fight for racial equity, the urgency of our work has never been clearer. Attacks on immigrant families, transgender and gender-expansive individuals, and DEI efforts across the country are not isolated—they are part of a broader movement seeking to erase, exclude, and silence. Public education should be a space where every child—regardless of race, gender identity, or immigration status—feels safe, seen, and supported.

At Durham Public Schools Foundation, equity isn’t just an idea—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our leadership reflects that commitment. DPSF is led by two Black women: myself and Brianna Kennedy, our Deputy Executive Director. Our Board Chair, Brittany Gregory, is also a Black woman who has spent her career championing public education. Representation at the decision-making table matters because it shapes how we advocate for students, engage with educators, and challenge inequities in our schools.

The recent U.S. Department of Education guidance prohibiting educational institutions from considering race in programs, scholarships, and recruitment is yet another step in dismantling equity efforts. These policies ignore deep racial disparities in education, particularly for Black, Brown, and Indigenous students. While some seek to erase progress, we celebrate and build upon it.

DPSF stands firm in our belief that an inclusive, anti-racist, and equity-driven public education system is non-negotiable. The pushback against teaching Black history, the rejection of LGBTQIA+ students’ rights, and the targeting of immigrant families are interconnected struggles that require our collective response.

Leading DPSF is not just a professional role for me; it’s personal. It’s about ensuring Durham’s students see leaders who look like them and who will advocate fiercely on their behalf. It’s about protecting spaces where every student, educator, and family is valued and affirmed.

I invite you to join us. Speak up when policies threaten inclusion. Support organizations fighting for equity. Advocate for Durham’s students and educators. We all have a role to play in shaping a just future.