Justin Perry MSW, LCSW, LCAS’ Post

1. I don’t keep an actual bucket list, but if I did, having the opportunity to be on a panel at the Foundation For The Carolinas with Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, James Ferguson, Arthur Griffin while honoring the legacy of Julius Chamber to kickoff the Southern Education Foundation’s national conference would certainly be at the top of it. 2. Between integrating then Harding, what would become Irwin Avenue Elementary, my first school, being a lead attorney on the Swann (1971) and Capacchione (1999) cases that created and ended race based desegregation respectively, and being the board chair who made sure students like me had more access to AP and other higher level courses when I attended West Charlotte High School, each of these folks were instrumental in my journey of education advocacy. 3. I strongly encourage folks to study each of these individuals and their contributions that influenced not only Charlotte, but this nation. 4. When you say things like “no one is from Charlotte” and “there is no history in Charlotte,” you’re unintentionally exposing yourself as not truly researching and/or respecting the community you now inhabit. 5. Charlotte wasn’t created in the last 1-2 decades, as many newcomers are told. It’s had a long and rich history, that too many are eager to gloss over for what feels new and shiny. 6. It was truly humbling to share space with and listen to these historical giants who received sound but under-resourced educations in segregation discuss the resilience they demonstrated in work in the space not only of desegregation, but in the overall fight for educational equity and Civil Rights overall. 7. As I am now a public school parent whose oldest asked to come to this discussion, I am committed to honoring their legacies, grabbing the torch and fighting for opportunities for all children, but especially for the children this nation and the south, in particular, never intended to learn in the first place: Black children. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools #education #equity #history