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SPOTLIGHT: JAMES SAMPLE
Over the past two decades, James Sample has proudly served as the Washington-Liberty High School Equity and Excellence Coordinator. He is passionate about mentoring, advising, and providing students enrichment activities that promote student success. Mr. Sample helps parents and community members navigate the school system, as well as support teachers and administrators with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in and out of the classroom. Mr. Sample has a powerful WL Alumni Network that visits, mentors, and supports current students. Prior to working at WL Mr. Sample taught first grade for seven years in Prince George’s County MD. and at Randolph Elementary in Arlington. Mr. Sample was raised in Connecticut and made Washington DC his home after graduating from Howard University. Mr. Sample has three Masters Degrees in Elementary Education, Guidance and Counseling, and School Administration/Leadership from Howard University, Trinity University DC, and George Mason University. Mr. Sample stays motivated by observing students maximize their potential in pursuit of their dreams.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Tarana Burke (September 12) is a civil rights activist from The Bronx, New York who founded the “Me Too” movement. In 2006, Burke began using the phrase “Me Too” on social media to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society. Megan Leslie (September 29) A former Member of the Canadian Parliament, Megan Leslie has been an active advocate for the issues of the modern day. This includes issues on healthcare, LGBT rights, and environmental concerns. Elie Wiesel (September 30) Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor. Lectured on the situation of Jewish people and groups who have suffered persecution and death because of their religion, race or national origin.
IMPORTANT SOCIAL JUSTICE DATES
September 8th – International Literacy Day
September 9th – Anniversary of the Enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
September 15th – National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 15th – International Day of Democracy
September 21st – United Nations International Day of Peace
September 28th – National Good Neighbor Day
AROUND TOWN
HBCU Festival
Alfred Street Baptist Church presents its 20th Annual Historically Black Colleges &Universities (HBCUs) Festival, a hybrid event being held October 7-8, 2022. The festival is dedicated to connecting high school students and their families to HBCUs, and scholarship opportunities. Approximately 70 colleges and universities will be represented during the two-day event. Many will provide onsite admission decisions, conduct music auditions, and waive application fees.
https://www.alfredstreet.org/hbcu-fest/
P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion successfully completed the first annual summer symposium. This professional development opportunity was available to all APS faculty (K-12) and included six sessions led by prominent authorities in the fields of DEI, social justice, Career and Technical Education, and anti-racism. We look forward to deepening our collective knowledge on each of these important topics throughout the 2022-23 school year and those to follow. Please reach out to Ty Byrd at tyrone.byrd@apsva.us to learn more about this important initiative.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Please use this link to share your thoughts on what we’re reading and offer suggestions to expand our library and collective knowledge.
“Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People” – Mahzarin R.Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald
TERM OF THE MONTH
Cultural Competence – Having an awareness of one’s own cultural identity and views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community norms of students and their families; the ability to understand the within group variations that make our country a tapestry.
