IN MEMORY OF DR. MICHELLE KING

The Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) Los Angeles Region is saddened by the passing of Dr. Michelle King and sends heartfelt condolences to Dr. King’s parents, daughters, family, and to the entire network of educators that worked with Dr. King to advance an equity agenda on behalf of L.A.’s youth.

As we begin to celebrate the achievements of African-American leaders across our nation this month, we honor the legacy of our beloved Dr. King. She embodied EdLoCs mission to elevate the leadership, voices and influence of people of color in education to develop more inclusive efforts to improving education.

EdLoC remembers Dr. King as a leader who built trust and bridges among students, parents, teachers, administrators, labor partners, and charter leaders. She believed that we would accelerate outcomes for students and families by working in partnership.

We also remember Dr. King as the superintendent of the people.  She was fiercely committed to engaging and listening to the communities she served, especially the district’s highest need school communities.

While her tenure as Superintendent was cut short by her unexpected illness, Dr. King was effectively aligned supports for schools and stabilized the LAUSD following a series of transitions in leadership. Her efforts resulted in increased graduation rates, aligned supports for English Learners, college readiness programs for African-American youth, and the prioritization of early childhood education in LAUSD’s strategic plan.

Dr. King believed that one size fits all models are inadequate to serve the needs of students. She devoted her career to building quality school options for families, and her legacy will live on with the young scholars that attend the Michelle L. King Girls Academic Leadership Academy on the Los Angeles High School campus and the Boys Academic Leadership Academy on the Washington Prep High School campus.

Dr. King’s love of public education, her laugh, and smile will live on in the countless leaders she inspired and mentored throughout her 32-year career at the L.A. Unified and in the thoughts of our EdLoC membership.

Respectfully,

Alma Marquez, Founder, Del Sol Group

Ama Nyamekye, Founding Executive Director, Educators for Excellence: LA

Ana Ponce, CEO, Great Public Schools Now

Antonio Plascencia, Director for Civic Engagement, Office of the Deputy Superintendent

Heather Harris, Director of Early Childhood Education, Lynwood Unified School District

Jenny Aguas, Director of Family Engagement & Strategy, Ednovate Charter Schools

Jesse Melgares, Director of Mathematics, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools

Johnathan Williams, Founder and CEO, The Accelerated Schools

Jonathan J. López, City Year Los Angeles

Layla Avila, CEO, Education Leaders of Color

Leandro Otero, Managing Director, Talent & Partnerships- Teach For America Los Angeles

Michele Siqueiros, President, The Campaign for College Opportunity

Richard S. Ramos, Northridge Middle School Principal 

Sharhonda Bossier, Deputy Director, Education Leaders of Color 

Vanessa Aramayo, Executive Director, Alliance for a Better Community

Yolie Flores, Chief Program Officer, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading