July 11, 2020

Lee’s Summit based non-profit, Suburban Balance will host a major forum to bring Missouri and Kansas school district superintendents together for a back to school discussion in the era of COVID. This virtual forum is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 at 7 p.m. and will air live on the organization’s Facebook page @SuburbanBalance. The topics of discussion will include everything from schooling in the era of covid to action plans around Equity, Diversity Inclusion. The entire community is invited to attend this virtual forum.

Suburban Balance CEO, LaShawn Walker felt there was no better time than now to host such an event. “The past several weeks have been a difficult time in our country and it’s more important than ever before parents & students hear from their school leaders. Suburban Balance has a membership of nearly 400 families of color who reside in various suburban school districts throughout Jackson and Johnson counties so I feel it is extremely important to provide space to have this dialogue to help put parents and students at ease as we approach a new school year”, said LaShawn.

Other participants like the Chief Equity Officers/Coordinators in the Shawnee and Liberty Districts, along with Head of Private School and Principal will participate as well. Private school president, Dr. Siabhan-May Washington of St. Teresa’s Academy, new LSR7 Superintendent, Dr. David Buck, Supt Dr. Mark Slagle of Ray-Pec, Supt Dr. Tonya Merrigan of Blue Valley, as well as Supt Dr. Jeremy Tucker of Liberty will all be in attendance. Dr Belt, Principal of Blue Springs South will participate as well as the Chief Equity Officer in Liberty, Dr. Andrea Dixon-Seahorn and the Shawnee Mission Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Tyrone Bates Jr. Suburban Balance families reside in all of these districts with most residing in Lee’s Summit.

“We couldn’t more excited to host this pertinent event. I’m honored there was so much interest from the Superintendents to participate in our forum as many thanked me for the invitation and for providing this space to have this dialogue. We look forward to a substantive conversation”, said LaShawn.

Walker has tapped KSHB Action 41 News Anchor, Dia Wall to moderate and co-moderator, Tamia Schiele, Ray-pec Senior who serves on the Suburban Balance youth leadership team. “Student voices matter and it’s important their voices are heard”. This will be the organization’s second major event this year. Suburban Balance also hosted the lsr7 school board candidate forum.

“Suburban Balance would like to have as much participation from the community as possible, said Walker, so parents and students are encouraged to submit questions in advance and email them to [email protected] and addressed to specific panelists.”

Suburban Balance is a family organization that provides educational and cultural opportunities to Suburban kids of color to help ensure they experience a well balanced lifestyle while growing up in their suburban school districts or attend schools that lack diversity”. To learn more visit their website: www.SuburbanBalance.com