As part of our ongoing efforts to shed light on long-standing educational disparities throughout the Commonwealth, MBAE, along with our partners at Latinos for Education and Education Trust in Massachusetts, recently hosted an event “Equity in Education: Building Education Pathways to Economic Opportunity for All.”

This event coincided with the release of our new report highlighting insights from a diverse group of leaders of color, who shared their perspectives on how we can empower our students to embark on successful futures, bridge the enduring equity gaps, and foster a cooperative culture of success across our Commonwealth.

During the event, our speakers delved into the report’s findings and a range of key themes emerged.

Supporting Our Students for Success: Emerson Foster, MBAE board member and HR Executive at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, delivered opening remarks and emphasized the report’s focus on supporting Black and Brown communities to ensure diverse talent and representation in workplaces.

Closing Racial Gaps in Education and Wealth: Liz Anderson, Project Manager at MBAE, underscored the significance of the Student Pathways coalition dedicating its first major report to shedding light on opportunity disparities faced by marginalized student groups in high school.

Student voices matter: Clinton Ngamne, a student at Franklin Cummings Tech in the renewable energy pathway and an interviewee in the report, shared his personal journey in preparing for college and career. His experience highlighted the financial hardships students often encounter and the transformative impact of programs like Accelerated Study in Associates Program (ASAP).

Fostering Inclusivity and Mentorship for Students: James Mikolowsky, Director of Policy at MBAE, kicked off a panel discussion with distinguished speakers to unpack key findings from the report.

• Superintendent of Chelsea Public Schools Dr. Almi Abeyta stressed the need for educator diversity to enable Black and Brown students to envision themselves as leaders.
• Dr. Debora Jackson, Dean of the Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, underscored the pivotal role educators play in creating inclusive spaces where students can experience a sense of belonging and build confidence.
• Turahn Dorsey, Chief Impact Officer at Eastern Bank Foundation, emphasized the significance of employers bolstering the development of diverse talent. “Employers don’t have to wait at the end of the education pipeline to see who comes out.”
• Phylitia Jamerson, Executive Director of Early College at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, highlighted the importance of diverse voices and the closure of the confidence gap, emphasizing that, as a collective, we can instill in students the belief that they can pursue successful college and career paths. This involves reshaping mindsets and making opportunities more visible.
• Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the Boston Private Industry Council, advocated for early participation in career connected learning. He emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation between businesses and school districts to improve educational curriculum, frameworks, and pathways.
• Darien Johnson, Executive Director of the Mass Hire Workforce Board, underscored the critical role of mentorship, sharing his perspective as a 30-year-old Executive Director. He emphasized that someone who invests in you can propel you forward and underscored the importance of cultivating a sense of belonging.

Executive Director Ed Lambert introduced Rep. Manny Cruz and Rep. Christopher Worrell to close out the program. They shared their personal journeys and highlighted the positive impact of investments and opportunities in the Commonwealth, creating pathways for students to succeed.

The Student Pathways to Success Coalition is advocating for a bold goal: By 2030, every student in Massachusetts will have access to a personalized pathway that includes opportunities to earn college credit, engage in work-based learning experiences, obtain industry-recognized credentials, and receive dedicated career counseling.

To achieve this goal, we are actively working toward the passage of Pathways legislation that will serve as a North Star for our state, charting an equal path for students, employees, and employers as we envision the future of our workforce in the Commonwealth.