Race In Baltimore County Public Schools Prompts Online Forum

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A virtual forum focused on race will be facilitated by Baltimore County Public Schools this week. Superintendent Darryl L. Williams will give an introduction at the event, then staff will moderate a panel discussion.

"We view this event as the first in a series of both systemwide and school-based conversations," Williams said.

“We plan to explore the various ways that race and racism affect our school system and the education we offer our students," Williams said. "We plan to look back at the history of educating Black students in the county, but to focus primarily on current issues and how we can move forward."

Students, community members, elected officials, teachers and school leaders will discuss how racism affects Baltimore County Public Schools.

Lisa Williams, executive director of the BCPS Department of Equity and Cultural Proficiency, will give a presentation, and people will be able to submit questions and comments.

Before the presentation, Baltimore County Public Schools invites people to use the hashtag #BCPSrace to discuss how to make the school a more equitable place.

The whole country is re-examining racial issues, and we are no exception. We invite the public to “A Conversation on Race and Racism in America and BCPS.”

The virtual event is July 8 from 4 – 6 p.m. A link for joining is posted in our release.https://t.co/ZGGWsE6iOf pic.twitter.com/svCWkRrMHi
— Baltimore County Public Schools (@BaltCoPS) July 6, 2020

A list of suggested readings about race has been compiled by Baltimore County Public Schools staff working in the areas of communications and community outreach, social-emotional learning, equity and cultural proficiency, library media, social studies and Parent University. It contains a breakdown by age appropriateness in some cases.

“A Conversation on Race and Racism in America and Baltimore County Public Schools" will be viewable from 4 to 6 p.m. on Microsoft Teams, BCPS-TV and Facebook.

Josh Muhumuza, a rising senior at Dundalk High School and the student member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, will host a watch party on the TeamBCPS Instagram account during the event.