Creating Positive Systemic Change for Black Scholars
At Fair Schools, we know that achieving systemic change for Black scholars requires deep partnerships, bold leadership, and an unwavering commitment to equity. Over the past three years, our collaboration with Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) through the African American Student Achievement Initiative (AASAI) has centered on dismantling barriers and creating opportunities for Black students and their families. Led by Diana “Mama D” Levy since the initiative's inception, AASAI has worked to reenvision district policies, elevate Black family voices, and drive tangible improvements in academic outcomes for Black scholars. Together, we have redefined what it means to engage Black families and scholars—not just as participants, but as decision-makers in the education system.
Our efforts have focused on three key priorities: embedding Black scholar success as a priority in both in-school and out-of-school academic programming, expanding culturally responsive professional development for teacher leaders and school leaders, and increasing Black family leadership in schools and across the district. Through the Family Engagement Action Project (FEAP), we provided site-level leaders and teams with the resources and support to co-create solutions with families. This initiative, along with partnerships in literacy, math, and SEL programming, has begun to show results—Black students at our focus schools have made significant gains in ELA and math on state assessments, proving that when school systems truly invest in Black scholars, progress follows. Watch the video below to hear directly from the Hayward community about the impact of this work!
Mama D’s leadership has been instrumental in this work. Her vision and advocacy have ensured that AASAI remains a driving force for accountability and change in HUSD. By fostering collaboration between district leaders, educators, and families, she has helped create a model where Black scholars are prioritized, not overlooked. Her leadership has also strengthened AASAI’s influence at both the district and school-site levels, ensuring that Black families have a seat at every decision-making table. This collective effort has not only increased Black family participation in advisory and leadership roles but has also pushed the district to commit funding and systemic support for African American programming.
I was honored to present with Mama D at the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) PD Summit in March. The outcomes of our work together has reinforced the importance of coherence, partnership, and strategic action. Sustainable change requires more than just initiatives, programs, and PD—it demands a shift in how schools operate, how educators and families engage, and how districts center historically marginalized students. As we continue this work, we remain committed to scaling these successes, ensuring that equity is not just a vision but a lived reality for every student in HUSD and beyond.
