Descendants – The Story of Us

This new short video by AUSD’s Office of Equity Coordinator Shanti Lair-Croom (creator of the 2023 video ‘I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams’) reveals the histories of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Learning about these journeys will help deepen our understanding and appreciation of each other, whether we interact in the spheres of education, government, business, community or family.

“Celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion should happen on a daily basis. I hope these shared stories raise awareness of the importance of history. We can all learn from the past and work together to create a better present and future.” Shanti Lair - Croom 

Additional Information to go with the Descendants video

AUSD Office of Equity Director Shamar Edwards and Coordinator Shanti Lair-Croom have put together a PowerPoint presentation with supplemental information to go with the Descendants video. Go to https://tinyurl.com/mrxjc8nn to view the PowerPoint presentation.

Also, here is a downloadable PDF of the guidelines in the above presentation that offers a few questions we can ask ourselves to help guide the implementation of equity into our work and everyday lives.

This video was made possible by a grant from the Alameda Education Foundation. With a focus on equity, AEF grants support unmet needs of the district and focus on teachers and program leaders at Title I schools and of special programs. When you donate to AEF grants, you support innovative and inspiring projects like this as well as fund essential needs of teachers for which there is no other source of funding. Thank you for your support!

Many thanks to those who attended an unforgettable evening at Rhythmix Cultural Works on April 4, 2024. We unveiled this powerful video telling the stories of people in our community whose families overcame incredible odds to build lives in America. It was an experience that  challenged, inspired, and surprised us.

AUSD’s Shanti Lair-Croom, Shaun Daniels from Castaway Creative/Students on Set, and AEF’s Vicki Sedlack. Photo Carol Dutra/AEF.

Click here to read the article in the Alameda Post about the event!

Special thank you to our community partners who made the premier event possible: