Mike Neal’s Post

The closure of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at the The University of Texas at Austin have been an unmitigated catastrophe for students and faculty, according to this new OpEd from college professors Emilio Zamora and Angela Valenzuela: #diversityequityinclusion

I was in the first integrated middle school class in Howard County, MD. -- literally 10 years after Brown v. Board of Education. Contrary to popular belief, integration was a gradual and often halting process. You may remember the words in the SCOTUS decision "with all deliberate speed". Public school integration gave rise to private so-called Christian schools to stem the tide of racial reconciliation. After middle school, my parents enrolled me in a predominantly Jewish school, where racism was not as keenly evident. Despite the initial progress made in desegregating schools following Brown, we have seen a steady reversal in recent decades, with schools becoming increasingly segregated once again along racial and socioeconomic lines. The data is stark. This resegregation is not a natural or inevitable phenomenon, but rather the result of specific policies and practices, including the dismantling of court-ordered desegregation plans, discriminatory housing policies that reinforce racial divides, disinvestment in federal programs supporting integration, and legal decisions limiting strategies for fostering diversity. As the UCLA Civil Rights Project warns, we are "betting our educational and social future on inaction" when decades of research shows the immense benefits of integrated schools for all students. The undoing of Brown's promise and the resegregation of American schools is an ominous development that perpetuates racial and socioeconomic inequalities. It demands urgent attention and concerted efforts from policymakers and society to reverse this damaging trend and uphold the ideal of public education as a great equalizer.

As a CUNY professor, it’s not lost on me that Higher Ed - and specifically CCNY - has not yet learned a key lesson: that colleges and universities are obligated to provide students with a safe space in which to voice their beliefs. Student protests are taking place all over the country and whether college administrators agree with what they’re saying or with their methods, it’s higher ed’s job to support students’ right to freedom of speech. Ironically enough, the 55th anniversary of the student takeover of CCNY will be celebrated tomorrow - but without the support of the college. The event, titled "Legacy Igniting the Movement: 55th Anniversary of the CCNY Student Takeover" will be led by Jervette R. Ward, Ph.D., Director of Black Studies at CCNY and will include a screening of “The Five Demands”, a film which revisits the untold story of the historic CCNY student takeover and demonstrates that a handful of ordinary citizens can band together to take action and effect meaningful change. The screening will also include a facilitated audience dialogue led by Dr. Ward and activist Charles Powell ’71 and the film’s co-director CCNY Professor Andrea W. In case you’re not familiar with the story, in April 1969, a small group of Black and Puerto Rican students shut down the The City College of New York, then considered an elite public university located in the heart of Harlem. Fueled by the revolutionary fervor sweeping the nation, the strike soon turned into an uprising, leading to the extended occupation of the campus, classes being canceled, students being arrested, and the resignation of the college president. If you’re in the NYC area, I hope you take advantage of this chance to learn how students worked to change their institution to create a more equal world and that you're reminded that despite the many obstacles, it is our responsibility today to fight for the higher education system that we all deserve. #CUNY #CCNY #FiveDemands #highered #studentrights

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

The first step of Design Thinking, famously, is to start by empathizing with others. The mastery of such techniques by the Penn State Dickinson Law ADI is so well demonstrated that their approach and model will now be expanded to the entire Penn State system. Well done indeed.

The University of South Carolina has made a bold move by removing "DEI" from its top diversity official's title. This reflects a broader trend that's sparking conversations nationwide. The University's former Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Julian R. Williams, now holds the position of Vice President for Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement. This title change is a response to evolving sentiments surrounding DEI efforts. 📢 We invite you to delve into this thought-provoking article and share your perspective with us. How do such title changes impact the DEIB landscape? What implications does it carry for universities and society at large? https://zurl.co/hESK

Proud to announce my filing for Flagler School Board District 5 candidacy Today marks a step forward in the future of Flagler County education as Vincent Sullivan officially filed his candidacy for the Flagler School Board, District 5 seat. A proud member of the community, Vincent is motivated by his deep commitment to the students, families, and the overall well-being of the Flagler County School System.   Vincent's journey is intertwined with the fabric of Flagler County. A 2008 graduate of Matanzas High School, Vincent has been actively involved in community service, earning recognition as a recipient of the "36 Under 36" award by the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. His dedication to education is further exemplified by his role as a board member of the Flagler County Education Foundation receiving last years “Make It Happen” award for his service and dedication to supporting Flagler County’s education.   Vincent, a partner at Chiumento Law, co-founded Chiumento CARES, a philanthropic initiative focused on finding solutions for homeless students through fundraising efforts and benefiting the Flagler Families in Transition program. His commitment to pro bono legal work in St. Johns County reflects his broader dedication to making a positive impact beyond Flagler's borders.   Born in Central California and a resident of Palm Coast since 1999, Vincent's roots run deep in the community. After graduating from Flagler College with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Pre-Law, he pursued his legal career, ultimately returning to Flagler County to join Chiumento Law.   Vincent's interest in the school system was sparked by his stepdaughter's experiences within Flagler's schools. He participates in the Law and Justice program at Matanzas High School, showcasing his passion for fostering educational excellence. Vincent also serves on the Board of Directors for the Flagler County Education foundation.   "As a first-generation Matanzas High School graduate, I understand the importance of a strong education system. My commitment to Flagler County is personal, and I am eager to contribute to the continued success of our schools," remarked Sullivan.   Vincent Sullivan's diverse background, community involvement, and legal experience position him as an ideal candidate to represent District 5 on the Flagler County School Board. His slogan, "Save a seat for Sullivan," encapsulates his dedication to ensuring every student in Flagler County receives the quality education they deserve.   For further information or media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]   Vincent Sullivan for Flagler School Board District 5 *Education. Community. Excellence. * Save a Seat for Sullivan

#ICYMI | Starting today, Utah joins the growing list of states that have implemented a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and practices at colleges and universities. According to guidance on implementing the new law released by the Utah System of Higher Education, public colleges and universities are required to eliminate any offices, programs or practices that are “discriminatory,” a term that is extensively defined and includes anything that excludes individuals due to their identities. The guidance does not advise colleges to close their cultural centers—spaces on campus dedicated to supporting minority students with specialized resources and opportunities to socialize. But many institutions are shuttering their cultural centers anyway, following in the footsteps of universities in states that previously passed DEI bans, such as Florida and Texas. Read more ➡️ #HigherEd https://bit.ly/4cprSqh

On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, I want to acknowledge and remember his pain and the worldwide protests that followed. I often tell my colleagues that these days it feels like we're in the twilight zone, especially in #HigherEd. Here in North Carolina, suddenly shifting to where we are now in a UNC system that governs 17 schools (including mine NC State), 5 of them HBCUs, from where we were just four years ago in the months following his death, feels like proverbial whiplash. In the midst of this disappointment, I also remember the gift #GeorgeFloyd gave us is a glimmer of hope. Hope that systemic ills can begin to change, and can do so quickly with the right momentum, as we're still seeing in #disability policy right now. Hope that masses of people can and will rally around a just cause, even while there other major issues competing for our attention. And hope that many people with more privileges will not be quiet and settle for the status quo anymore - especially in Gen Z and Alpha. I don't think the DEIAB industry is perfect by any means. But what industry is? If we humans are involved, perfection can't be the goal. Only progress can. How are you holding on to hope in the face of the disappointment that comes with equity #advocacy and scholarship? https://lnkd.in/eufWFz-A #RethinkRelationship #DEI #LeadershipDevelopment #EducationalEquity #HealthEquity #Neurodiversity