Heritage Circuit Event: Black History Month Discussion

Black students have had a complicated relationship with public education in Metropolitan Phoenix. Local schools were segregated for much of the 20th century and even after desegregation, Black students faced inequitable opportunities due to hostility from prejudiced education professionals. Still, the Valley of the Sun hosts educational innovations, such as ethnic studies curriculum, dual language programs and gifted/talented programs that have attracted Black families to metropolitan Phoenix seeking greater opportunities for their children than are available in other parts of the country or globe. Black school board officials have been at the vanguard of these efforts–their energies have helped make public education more equitable for all Arizona students. This panel celebrates the contributions Black school board officials have made in our broader community through a discussion on the historical experience and policy objectives Black school board officials.

Participants are:

Muktar Sheikh is Social Sustainability leader that serves Arizona communities. He is an agent of change and champion of sustainable solutions. Muktar helps non-profit refugee organizations with integration, community development, strategy, project management and building community and government relations. He has Bachelor and Master degree from Arizona State University. He is committed to education, community empowerment and the fostering of a strong community initiatives and solutions. As community leader, Muktar advocated and works with local and federal government to improve educational institutions and social services for low-income communities. He is a governing board member for Balsz Elementary School District #31.

and

Shelley Jackson is a young South Phoenix organizer, facilitator, artist and graduate of Arizona State University with a BA in Community Advocacy and Social Policy with a minor in Dance. Her work is centered at the intersection of issue and electoral organizing with a strong lens of racial justice and a passion for empowering others to step into their power to create meaningful change in their communities. Her work currently comes to life through two main avenues. First, as the Executive Director of Instituto, an Arizona organization dedicated to building political power with low-income and communities of color through acceleration and incubation programs. Second, through her service as an elected official - a governing board member for Roosevelt School District in South Phoenix, where she grew up.

 Classroom location and zoom registration distributed upon RSVP.