Education Roundup: Brown v. Board of Education, College Graduations and More

In this week’s edition of what’s going on in education, we have a roundup of the latest topics affecting the academic achievement of African American students for the week of May 12. From nationwide celebratory events honoring the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education to graduation ceremonies and leadership conferences, see below for the latest scoop on what’s happening in our community.

Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Luncheon: The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is hosting a luncheon in Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 16 in honor of the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education and Attorney General Eric Holder will deliver remarks. The event will also include a conversation with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Virginia’s former Governor L. Douglas Wilder and award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. The luncheon will also honor Cecilia Marshall, widow of NAACP LDF founder Thurgood Marshall, with NAACP LDF’s Spirit of Justice award.

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Morgan State University: On Saturday, May 17, Attorney General Holder will also be honoring the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education by speaking to the 2014 graduating class at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.

Spelman College hosts leadership conference: On May 14-15, Spelman College celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Leadership and Women of Color Conference hosted by television personality and Spelman alum, Shaun Robinson. Speakers at the event included Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa K. Bush, Ebony Editor-in-Chief Mitzi Miller, and Chairwoman of Johnson Publishing Company Linda Johnson Rice, who was honored with the Legacy of Leadership Award.

The Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools rally: Teachers, parents, students and community leaders rallied in the nation’s capital on Tuesday, May 13 to reaffirm the promises of equal education declared in the 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education. Hosted on the steps of the United States Supreme Court, the rally was also combined with a press conference. Speakers included Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel, and Advancement Project Co-Director Judith Browne Dianis.

Louisiana State University graduates largest and most diverse class ever: In addition to the class of 2014 being LSU’s largest graduating class ever, the new graduating student body is also the most diverse with 570 black students and 270 Hispanic students earning diplomas, which is roughly a 10% increase from last year.