Leading for Change in the Wake of the Chauvin Verdict

Dear New Leaders Community,

I am reaching out given the momentousness of this week. The verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial is one step, but an important one, in the long journey to upend systemic racism in our country. We know we have so much more to do.

Today, in partnership with you, New Leaders continues to advance equity-focused leadership in our nation’s schools. A recent op-ed, written by Hal Harris on our national program team and published by The Hechinger Report, underscores the necessity of teaching about race in the classroom and the power of this moment to fuel change.

No doubt, how we respond today will help to prepare the next generation of police officers, teachers, and elected officials to lead and change the world tomorrow. School leaders are instrumental in this work—training staff to lead with an antiracist stance, dedicating time for the school community to process historic events, creating a school culture that values equity, and caring for the well-being of students and teachers of color. Our team and bank of resources are here to support you.

At New Leaders, we remain committed to developing equity-focused educational leaders who work every day to create a more just world for all students now and into the future. There is no social justice without educational justice. And your support is helping us to advance both.

Thank you for joining us in this most vital work.

Best,

Jean