Clairemont Elementary School and John R. Lewis Legacy Institute Announce March on Decatur and Conversation of Understanding

DECATUR, Ga., March 20, 2023 (Newswire.com) - After the overwhelming success of the March on Clairemont during the 2022-2023 school year, Clairemont Elementary School committed to expanding efforts to include the entire Decatur community. It is with extreme excitement that the budding equity and social justice leaders at Clairemont Elementary School present March on Decatur.  On Friday, March 31, 2023, at 9:30 AM, Clairemont Elementary will lead a march from 155 Erie Avenue that will culminate on the stairs of the Decatur History Center, where those gathered will hear from dynamic community leaders and student activists. The theme for the march is "Extinguishing the Isms."

"We are confident that support from our school community can and will bring attention to and boldly take steps to eliminate sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and racism," said Clairemont Elementary principal Dr. Curtis Armour. In the month leading up to the march, students will participate in an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on each of these "isms." At the conclusion of the experience, students will choose the social justice issue that is most meaningful to them and create chants, posters and banners that demand change.  

Also, The Clairemont Elementary School Equity Team, PTA/DEI Committee, and the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute will host a Conversation of Understanding, an initiative to raise awareness, educate, and unite the Clairemont community. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 5:30 PM- 7 PM in the Clairemont Auditorium. The moderators for the evening will be Mr. Garry Lowe and Mrs. Chanell Huff-Cox.

The Conversation Champions (Panelists) will tackle the rich and complex topic of diversity and inclusion by bravely sharing challenging personal experiences. They will highlight biases and stereotypes they have encountered, and how these difficult situations impacted them.  Speakers will also share practical tips on how we all can act in a more inclusive manner. "We will also emphasize allyship among our residents. More specifically, identifying opportunities to be an effective ally, explaining what allyship looks like on a day-to-day basis and highlighting the positive impact that allies can have on under-represented communities," said JRLLI Executive Director Jerrick Lewis.  

The John R. Lewis Legacy Institute, Inc. (JRLLI) is a nonprofit organization comprised of members of Congressmen Lewis' immediate family, whose mission is to promote diversity, support civil rights education, and engage in community service projects, including but not limited to Social Justice, Equity in Education, and Health Awareness, enabling future generations to continue the legacy of good and necessary trouble.  

Source: John R. Lewis Legacy Institute