9.21 APS to Host Ceremony for Opening of New Center for Equity & Social Justice

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

 

Seth Coleman, Director of Media Relations & Television Broadcast

404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

September 21, 2021

 

Atlanta Public Schools to Host Ceremony for
Opening of New Center for Equity & Social Justice

District’s new CESJ is the first center of its kind that places equity at the forefront


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Public Schools Center for Equity & Social Justice will host a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the center on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m.

 

The Atlanta Board of Education adopted Atlanta Public Schools’ equity policy in 2019, making equity a key factor in the 2020-2025 APS Strategic Plan. Shortly thereafter, the district hired its first Chief Equity & Social Justice Officer, Dr. Tauheedah Baker-Jones, and established the Center for Equity & Social Justice.

 

The APS Center for Equity & Social Justice was established as the district’s first office devoted solely to advancing equity in education. The CESJ mission aims to positively impact the lives of APS learners and learning communities so that all students thrive, not by accident, but by design. In turn, CESJ’s vision is to inspire a diverse, inclusive, and responsive organizational culture that serves as a national model for intentionally, explicitly, and sustainably addressing challenges of equity in education.

 

To assist with this effort, the CESJ supports the implementation of equity-focused, evidence-based practices for entities throughout Atlanta Public Schools. The CESJ offers thought partnership around tackling complex equity-focused challenges and serves as accountability partners to divisions, departments, offices, and schools.

 

The center also convenes and partners with cross-functional groups of internal and external stakeholders to create inclusive and just conditions for all students. In particular, the CESJ works to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalized students receive a quality education. This includes a commitment to a comprehensive approach that addresses the social, emotional, and academic development and various needs of all students.

 

What:           Ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the opening of The Center for Equity & Social Justice

 

When:           Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Where:          Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning & Leadership
130 Trinity Ave., SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

 

Who:            Those available for interviews include:

  • Lisa Herring, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
  • Tauheedah Baker-Jones, Chief Equity & Social Justice Officer
  • Jason F. Esteves, Board Chair, Atlanta Board of Education

 

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About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 51,000 students across 87 schools and five programs. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 64 traditional schools, 19 charter schools, six partner schools, two alternative schools and five alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.