Office of Equity

Letter from Senior Director Shamar Edwards

Welcome to the 2025-26 School Year!

The Office of Equity remains deeply committed to advancing AUSD’s mission of excellence and equity for all. While we recognize the persistent challenges within our educational system, we continue to strategically leverage our resources to empower district leaders, administrators, educators, and support staff to foster strong partnerships with families, build meaningful relationships with students, and uphold high academic expectations—ensuring all students have access to rigorous instruction supported by personalized interventions. At the same time, we proudly celebrate the richness of our community’s diversity and cultivate a sense of belonging that strengthens the entire city of Alameda.

The Office of Equity Focus Areas for 2025-26: 

• Focal Scholars Initiative for TK-12; Continue Advising and Mentoring Initiative.You can also review the Scholar Student and Staff Success Guide version 3.0.
• AHS School Culture & Climate Support
• 2nd Year of AP African American Studies Course at AHS and EHS
• Completion of CCEIS Mandate-AUSD has officially moved out of significant disproportionality!
• Pilot of Supplemental Culturally Conscious Lessons using Cesar Chavez curriculum K-8 
• Educational Summit for Secondary - 6th-12th grade
• B.L.A.C.K. Program at AHS and LMS with Tyson Amir
• College Tour for BIPOC 10th grade students
• Black History Month Celebration
• Collaboration with Educational Services to support P-3 Literacy & 4-8 Math Student Proficiency
• Support Black Student Achievement via Site Equity Walks
• Promotion Celebration for 5th, 8th and 12th graders
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Community of Practice for parent leads (DEI CoP)
• Tutoring available at K-8 schools with an emphasis on supporting focal scholar students
• Professional Development Workshops for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Classroom practices-all elementary schools
• 2nd Year of New AUSD’s Anti-Hate Speech Student Compact 
• Elementary & Secondary BIPOC Family Nights in Fall & Spring
• Additional family engagement outreach led by TK-12 School Sites, for Black and Multi-Ethnic families
• Butterfly Ball for 1st-5th grade students and their families

It is truly a delight to serve the AUSD community and we look forward to another productive year that supports the principles of equity and achievement for all!

Shamar Edwards
Senior Director of Equity, African American and Multi Ethnic Student Achievement
sedwards@alamedaunified.org