Join The Education Trust and the School Superintendents Association (AASA) for Black Women Superintendents Leading With Excellence

Panelists:

• Dr. Latonya M. Goffney, Superintendent, Aldine Independent School District (TX)
• Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools (MD)
• Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Interim Superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools (VA)
• Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell, Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District (CA)

Moderator: Arthur Jones II, ABC News Producer/Reporter

Description:

Black women make up only 1.4% of people leading school districts nationwide. However, in today’s environment, where classrooms have become sites of cultural and political conflict, Black women leaders are best positioned for the job. Black women know firsthand what it takes to thrive amid racism and sexism — overcoming systemic barriers and challenges that many of their peers do not endure. This lived experience fuels them daily as they work to meet their student’s academic and social-emotional needs and ensure that, despite the challenges of the pandemic, all students leave the K-12 school system with precisely what they need to succeed.

In this candid conversation, we’ll explore how to support students’ mental health, the pressures of leadership, recent book bans, and more. These leaders will also discuss what must be done to diversify the school leadership pipeline and, notably, how to support Black women school leaders once they take the helm.