The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) division is supporting Glendale Unified School District’s (GUSD) parent engagement efforts by co-hosting African American/Black Student Parent Group meetings. The inaugural in-person meeting exceeded attendance expectations with 45 parents connecting with district administrators and one another. 

“We are incredibly proud to partner with GUSD, and facilitating this first parent meeting was a profound experience. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson, with the vital support of Board President Ingrid Gunnell, we created a powerful space where African American parents could be seen, validated and connected in community,” said Dr. Jamaal Williams, LACOE’s EDI division, Director II. “This is just the beginning of parent-centered, transformational work. By embracing shared leadership and listening to families, GUSD is building the trust and responsive systems necessary to advance equity and improve outcomes for Black students."

Board Member Ingrid Gunnell described the gathering as a “historic event,” while GUSD Superintendent Dr. Watson reaffirmed the district’s commitment to advancing equity and ensuring that African American and Black students and their families feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the district.

"We are proud to advance our work to support the academic achievement and emotional well-being of our African American students and families in GUSD. This historic focus enables us to build stronger connections, expand resources, and better serve our outstanding Black students and families, whose voices, experiences, and contributions enrich our schools every day. Thank you to LACOE for partnering with us and listening to what our community needs to help guide this important work" said Ingrid Gunnell, GUSD Board President.

As part of this commitment, LACOE and GUSD will partner on a series of collaborative efforts focused on strengthening cultural proficiency, building leadership capacity and deepening engagement with the district’s African American and Black families. Through this ongoing partnership, LACOE’s EDI Team will support district leaders in advancing equitable practices while creating opportunities for families to build community, strengthen their collective voice and meaningfully shape the educational experiences of students across GUSD.

As school districts continue to strengthen whole-child systems of support, LACOE remains committed to partnering with and supporting districts in this important work. Through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens, LACOE provides technical assistance, training and family engagement support to help districts build meaningful partnerships with students, families and communities.

Additional parent engagement opportunities are planned for the upcoming school year. Visit LACOE’s EDI webpage to learn more about upcoming meetings, trainings and workshops.