Project Summary

Be the Change addresses the issue of race and the impact of race on student achievement. The group takes part in a series of facilitated discussions on the effects of race to make a change in their schools and communities.

About me

My passion for this project comes from my belief that for far too long we have ignored race and thought that if we hide it, or don't talk about it, that miraculously we will create societies that are not racist. That plan has backfired. Instead of creating societies that are not racist, we have created societies where we can barely get to know one another because we are so scared to trip over a non-PC term, and be labeled as a "racist". I have worked with a number of programs including Seeds of Peace (co-existence skills for kids from the Middle East), Help Increase the Peace (mediation skills for inner city kids) and the Dept of Justice (trainer in Islam and Muslims). John Landesman is the Director of Study Circles for the Montgomery County Public Schools Study Circles Program where he develops study circle programs to help parents, students, and school personnel work together to close the achievement gap in the school system. Prior to coming to SCRC, John was Associate Director for the InterReligious Council of Central New York where he coordinated a dialogue program on ending racism and improving racial healing. His program won the Freedom Award from the NAACP of Syracuse. Luis Cardona -- Montgomery County Gang Prevention Coordinator. A former gang member, Luis has just worked with the county to open a recreation center for students to go to after school that provides after school activities, as well as mentors.