Monday, May 17th commemorates the 56th anniversary of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended legal segregation. This U.S. Supreme Court decision was pivotal in U.S. history because it sparked the civil rights movement and reminds us that there is an opportunity for us all to do more to uphold the intent of this mandate.

As a former elected school board trustee who advocated for equity and accountability and as the author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success, it seemed important to reflect about the Brown decision. Consider this:

• The landmark Brown decision included more than 200 plaintiffs who experienced unimaginable hardships and retribution. Amazing courage was required from the parents, advocates, and students. They took the time and occasion to speak up about problems within their communities. How can we make time to get more involved in our communities? (more…)