Versace’s Post

John Eaves, Ph.D., I wanted to thank you for sharing your outstanding efforts. Your passion for combating antisemitism is truly inspiring and I am sharing your message with my #network. In light of the Israel-Hamas War, there has been an increase in hate crimes which are having a negative impact on various communities (domestic and internationally). It is imperative that we work together to promote #understanding and #tolerance and to address these issues with sensitivity and #compassion. As we approach the month of May, nearly seven years ago, Neo-Nazis marched through Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting “Jews will not replace us” while holding torches and spewing the same hateful rhetoric that was heard in Europe during the 1930s. The horror of that moment, the violence that followed, and the threat it represented to American democracy drove my passion to serve. Since then, numerous attacks on Jewish Americans and other groups have occurred, shaking our moral conscience as Americans and challenging the values for which we stand. That is why I support the efforts of my office, #CP3, and the #USG to bring communities from across the country together to combat hate in all its forms, including the persistent scourge of antisemitism. We must stand #united, regardless of our backgrounds and beliefs, and affirm that an attack on any one group is an attack on us all. Hate should have no place in America. It's important that we all work together to ensure that our country remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Antisemitism not only threatens the Jewish community but all Americans. Those who peddle these antisemitic conspiracy theories and fuel racial, ethnic, and religious hatred against Jews also target other communities, including #Black and brown Americans, #AsianAmericans, #NativeHawaiians and #PacificIslanders, #LGBTQI+ individuals, #MuslimAmericans, #women, and #girls. We must never allow these hateful voices to become normal or normalized.

New Blog Post! More of a thank you letter to Sandra Duff Anderson! Join me as I talk about one of the biggest influences of my childhood. It takes a lot to build a village, but it will only be done with people who are willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. "As I reflect on God's Church Christian Academy (GCCA), I can't help but ask the question, "Was it a better school than Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary would have been for me or Wilkerson Middle for my sister?" If I'm honest, the answer to that question is probably not, but it's complicated. GCCA wasn't a wealthy school, nor a segregation academy (schools started after the 1954 Brown v Board ruling meant to curb integration); it was an all-Black school founded to provide hope and second chances. GCCA was in an older building and housed students from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. It was a large red brick building with a basketball court across the street and always seemed full of life and energy. Its original purpose was either a large church or a small school, but my memory fails me to recall its original design. I had many experiences there. I will share a few enjoyable memories, but here are a few, shall I say, traumatic ones that shaped my childhood at this school." #communitybuilders #communitybuilding #servantleadership #teachers https://lnkd.in/era8GuYa

Leadership

In a new Trump Vance administration, the US Department of Education would be abolished. Science and history would be taught through a filter of Christian nationalism and white supremacy. African American studies, teaching the history of the transatlantic slave trade, abolition, the emancipation of enslaved people and the civil rights movement would be made illegal. The specific policies to eradicate Black history from the national curriculum are set out in Project 2025 devised and published by the Heritage Foundation. Far right activist Steve Bannon is leading groups of white supremacists and Christian nationalists to deliver Project 2025. America's far right policies are promoted by Donald Trump, JD Vance and Steve Bannon. They are financed by Peter Thiel, Elon Musk and other wealthy anti-democratic donors. They are designed to withdraw access to evidence-based education from millions of American children and young people from January 2025 should Donald Trump regain control of the White House. Full details of the plans are online www.project2025.org Image credit: Spider Martin/National Museum of African American History and Cultural/Smithsonian Institute

When you care about something, you must speak on it to preserve it. As chairperson of the Achieving Academic Equity and Excellence for Black Boys (AAEEBB) advisory council, I appreciate my #AAEEBB colleagues and community offering public comment at the recent MSDE board meeting. With a topic as pressing as our boys, it is critical that there are stakeholders lending their voices to share and contextualize the investment, impact, and importance of this area of work. https://lnkd.in/eB--mpbE

Anti-racism isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a revolutionary act of love for our nation. It’s about dismantling systems of oppression that have plagued our society for far too long. It’s about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of the color of their skin. Education is our greatest tool in this fight. Anti-racist education challenges the status quo and empowers future generations to create a more just and equitable society. It’s about teaching our children to critically examine the world around them and to stand up against injustice wherever they see it. To Socratically question American paradoxes through the lens of justice is to honor the legacy of our nation’s greatest thinkers. From Emerson to Morrison, these trailblazers have dared to challenge the status quo and envision a more perfect union. We walk in the footsteps of giants when we embrace anti-racism and culturally responsive teaching. So let us stand together, hand in hand, and declare that we will not rest until every voice is heard, every life is valued, and every dream is within reach. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, and let us do it with love, compassion, and unwavering dedication to American democracy. #StandTogether #BeTheChange #LoveOverHate #JusticeForAll #AmericanValues #EqualityForAll #EducationForChange #Empowerment #FutureLeaders #SocraticWisdom #CriticalThinking #AmericanLegacy #LegacyOfGreatness #Inspiration #ChangeMakers https://lnkd.in/etYS-_ke

On February 2, 1959, seventeen courageous Black students stepped forward to integrate the all-white schools of Norfolk, Virginia, amidst vehement opposition and societal challenges. This act of bravery came after the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision but was met with resistance, including the closure of public schools by the state to prevent integration. The Norfolk 17 faced daunting obstacles, from hostile crowds to isolation within their new schools. Yet, their resilience and determination paved the way for future generations to enjoy a more inclusive and equitable education system. Their story is not just a testament to their individual courage but also a critical chapter in the broader civil rights movement, highlighting the enduring struggle for justice and equality in America. Today, we honor the Norfolk 17, not only for their role in desegregating schools but also for their contribution to the ongoing journey toward civil rights and social justice. Their legacy reminds us of the power of perseverance, the importance of education, and the impact a group of determined individuals can have on shaping a more just society. Let's take a moment to reflect on their journey, discuss their impact, and continue to be inspired by their bravery. The road to equality is long and fraught with challenges, but the Norfolk 17 remind us that change is possible when we stand up for what is right. #Norfolk17 #BlackHistoryMonth #CivilRights #EducationEquality #HamptonRoadsHistory #SocialJustice

'The academics, attempting to straddle the divides between freedom of speech and campus safety, between angry students and furious donors, and between competing philosophies of social and racial justice, had in the end found them impossible to bridge. It turns out one of the most influential people in the saga was not even in Washington that day. Bill Ackman, the Harvard alumnus who has led the charge for a reckoning, both on social media and behind the scenes, watched from the offices of his New York hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management. Working in parallel has been another Wall Street titan, Marc Rowan, a Penn alumnus and a founder of Apollo Global Management, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. They have waged their campaign with the same vigour — and some of the same bare-knuckle tactics — as those they have undertaken against recalcitrant corporate boards of directors. They have used well-timed public letters, contacts in Washington, longstanding relationships with the press and, most notably, threats to end their donations. That has prompted criticism about the influence that heavy-handed, billionaire donors should wield at what are supposed to be citadels of academic freedom. “What you’re seeing now is a handful of super-ultra-wealthy individuals — plutocrats that, I guess, you would call philanthropists — who have incredible leverage over higher education,” says Isaac Kamola, a professor at Trinity College in Connecticut who has written about donor influence. A lot of them have this understanding that they’re the wealthiest person in the room, they’re the smartest person in the room, and therefore they know best.” Like many older men, Kamola believes, they yearn for the campus they remember — one that was notably less diverse and where there was much less discussion of racial politics. Ackman has strafed Gay with a series of letters published on X. He appeared to taunt her with a public invitation to a screening of Hamas atrocities he was holding at Harvard last Monday. When Gay’s office replied that the president was to testify before Congress the next morning he offered to send his private jet and provide dinner.' #usa #ivyleague #donors #endowments #academics #wallstreettitans #alumni #hedgefunds #privateequity #corporatemedia #socialmedia #richestuniversity #billionaires #uscongress

🎉 As my birthday week reflections continue, and thanks to EVERYONE who has given me recommendations on their favorite history books, today I focus on another transformative event in our nation's history. I want us to remember the brave actions of the Little Rock Nine, a group of young Black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas amidst severe racial tensions in 1957. In fact, the crisis at Little Rock escalated to such an extent that on September 24, 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower found it necessary to deploy the National Guard to enforce the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision from 1954. This marked the first time a sitting president had deployed federal troops to enforce civil rights since Reconstruction. I encourage you to dig deeper into this chapter of our history— I bet you’ll find TONS of relevance to today’s landscape. [https://lnkd.in/gaF9ZCGk] The Little Rock Nine faced unimaginable challenges with a dignity that inspires us all. They were not merely students; they were pioneers of justice. This story is a poignant reminder of the crucial role of education in shaping a just society. At The CAFE Group, through our 1954 Project, we draw inspiration from such historical milestones to fuel our commitment to advancing educational equity through more equitable philanthropic practices. We work to ensure that future generations are empowered to pursue justice and innovation without facing the barriers that once seemed insurmountable. 🎁 Continuing with my birthday week theme, I ask each of you to share stories or books about other events or figures that have deepened your understanding of history. If you didn’t get a chance to name one yesterday, please take a moment to do so now. Let’s draw inspiration from our past to build a better future…for ALL of us. #TheCAFEGroup #CivilRights #LittleRockNine #EducationEquality #HistoryLessons #SocialJustice #BirthdayReflections #LoveIsMySuperpower

Juneteenth is a momentous day in our nation's history. This day commemorates the moment when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation. But it's also a stark reminder of the long journey towards racial justice that persists to this day. At A New Leaf, we stand in unwavering solidarity with our Black community members as we honor the significance of Juneteenth. We acknowledge that the struggle for civil rights and equality continues and are dedicated to being part of the solution. Juneteenth is not just a celebration; it's an opportunity to reflect on the systemic disparities that persist. We recognize that Black communities still face significant challenges in areas like education, employment, and housing. These disparities are a stark reality, and they deeply affect the lives of individuals and families. A New Leaf is committed to actively addressing these disparities. We provide critical services that bridge gaps, from educational support to employment assistance and affordable housing solutions. Our mission is to ensure that every person has the opportunity to break free from the trap of inequality, poverty, and other challenges. This Juneteenth, let us not only celebrate the progress we've made but also reflect on the work that remains. A New Leaf is dedicated to creating a community where racial injustice is confronted and where every individual has access to support. Happy Juneteenth!