BURLINGTON – The Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism (BCDR) is proud to host a meet and greet for Wisconsin State Superintendent candidate, Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks. BCDR has joined groups like the Blacks for Political and Social Action and the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance in their public display of support.

Dr. Hendricks maintains an illustrious and lengthy educational career that began with feeding and changing students with disabilities as a paraprofessional. After 25+ years in education, she was appointed by Governor Evers to serve as the Director of his Milwaukee office. Before moving to Milwaukee, she grew up in a rural community before her dad was selected to be a Milwaukee pastor. She is the first person of color to receive the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award for Outstanding Teachers. She would make history as the first Black person ever elected to be Wisconsin’s State Superintendent.

Dr. Hendricks will speak today, February 10, at 7 pm CST on Facebook Live about how she plans to address the achievement and equity gaps among White students and students of color. Viewers can join by going to the Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BCD-Racism-115514570150312. A Facebook account is not required to watch.

“I look forward to the opportunity to talk about how I have had to navigate racism, sexism, and prejudices as a single Black mom on welfare and how I continue to fight to fix the inequities that persist while closing the achievement gap for all students throughout Wisconsin,” stated Hendricks.

Coalition member Melissa Statz will be hosting this event on behalf of BCDR. Like Dr. Hendricks, Statz has risen to the challenge of using her position in education to change the current narratives playing out in Wisconsin’s Public Schools.

Statz taught her 4th-grade students (at Cooper Elementary in Burlington, WI) a lesson on the Black Lives Matter movement and systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd in the pursuit of creating a learning environment that welcomes inclusivity and equity, which significantly benefits all students. She understands the need for a State Superintendent who will advocate for all children and is honored to lead the conversation with Dr. Hendricks. 

The primary election for Wisconsin state superintendent of public instruction is February 16th, with the general election held April 6th.

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