Dear TEAK Community,
The TEAK Fellowship is disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn 45 years of precedent to strike down Affirmative Action in college admissions programs. Those programs have had at their core the same mission as The TEAK Fellowship— to address systematic discrimination and bridge achievement and wealth gaps that disproportionately impact low-income households, many of whom are ethnic and racial minorities. Today, we join the chorus of organizations who are reaffirming and recommitting to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our classrooms where all students have an opportunity to thrive and succeed.
The TEAK Fellowship was founded 25 years ago with a mission: motivation and potential, not economic circumstances, should determine a student’s future. Over these 25 years, TEAK has provided students from under-resourced communities with access to educational opportunities that have changed their lives and the lives of their families. The TEAK Fellowship’s impact goes beyond the lives of our Fellows through the richness and diversity they bring to their schools and the leadership they contribute to their learning environments.
TEAK is a shining example of what works, and today, we rededicate ourselves to TEAK’s mission. We will continue to be steadfast in promoting educational opportunities for students who would otherwise be limited by the vast inequalities that exist in our country’s educational system.
We encourage our school and corporate partners to redouble their efforts to create learning and work environments where diverse individuals thrive. TEAK will always do its part to build the path of success for the many students who deserve better and contribute to the next generation of leaders on whose shoulders future generations will proudly stand.
Sincerely,
Dr. Denise Brown-Allen
Executive Director
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
Kim Koopersmith (Co-Chair)
Jacques Pierre (Co-Chair)
John F. Green
Paul Spivey
Christine Harding