The 2020-21 school year has already been one of the most challenging of our lifetimes. At the same time as the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the inequities that have long existed in our education system, our society also has the responsibility to address the systemic racism that a movement of Americans is rising up to challenge. It is clear that educational equity is more important than ever.

As schools prepare for the second semester of this year, parent, civil rights, faith, education, and business and civic organizations will hold a forum to hear directly from Buffalo’s leaders about current equity efforts in light of the “dual public health crises” of the coronavirus pandemic and systemic racism that our state and nation are facing.