ERASE Racism is certainly a hot-bed of activity these days.  The education equity task forces are moving forward and, of course, we are busy planning our 10^th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Reception.  

In this issue we spotlight our two Corporate Leadership Award Honorees, John D. Cameron, Jr. of Cameron Engineering & Associates LLP and Omni New York LLC.  Omni managing director and former Major League Baseball player Maurice "Mo" Vaughn will accept the award for Omni.  Please read below why both of these honorees are deserving of this special recognition.

And finally, ERASE Racism is planning for a new website.  To ensure that the new site meets the changing needs of our various audiences we are asking that you share your observations and reflections by completing a brief anonymous survey.  If you follow this link it will take you 5-10 minutes to complete (unless you have a lot to share, which is fine with us!).  Thank you in advance for your assistance.  

I hope to see you on June 7th!

V. Elaine Gross

President

Restructuring Public Schools:

The task force on restructuring public schools held its first conference call on April 15^th.  The group identified and agreed to pursue one preliminary strategy that would provide more resources to low-performing schools on Long Island.  

Closing the Curriculum Gap:

On April 25th the task force on closing the curriculum gap held its first conference call meeting.  One of the group's main goals is to provide all students with access to the best curriculum and teaching.

Creating School-Wide Cultural Competence:

The task force on creating school-wide cultural competence will hold its first conference call this Friday, May 6^th.

If you would like to join one of the education equity task forces, please contact Olivia Ildefonso at olivia@eraseracismny.org

In addition to being the founder and managing partner of Cameron Engineering & Associates-one of Long Island's premier consulting firms-John D. Cameron is leading the way to create a more equitable Long Island. 

On June 7^th, at our 10th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Reception, Mr. Cameron will receive the ERASE Racism Corporate Leadership Award for his efforts to increase racial equity in Long Island's public schools.

The Long Island Regional Planning Council shines a spotlight on key issues affecting the quality of life on Long Island including public education. As chair of the Council, Mr. Cameron has led its Education Working Group that is seeking to improve K-12 educational achievement, especially for students of color.  The core membership of the group includes representatives of the Council, the Nassau and Suffolk School Boards and Superintendents Associations, BOCES, and the New York State Union of Teachers.  This collaboration is a challenging undertaking and Mr. Cameron's ability to keep people of diverse perspectives talking around the table is an important step forward for the region.

"Under John Cameron's leadership, the LIRPC dove below the headlines to understand both the opportunities represented by Long Island's highly successful education system and limitations caused by uneven opportunities for students of color," says Tom Rogers, Superintendent of Nassau and Western Suffolk BOCES, adding "Understanding the role that system will play as a pillar of Long Island's future prosperity, Cameron led the LIRPC to a 12-point plan that directly addresses the delicate issues most avoid discussing."

Mr. Cameron provides additional support to public education through his role as the vice chairman of the SUNY College of Old Westbury Foundation Board.  

For its commitment to increasing quality affordable housing on Long Island, Omni New York LLC will be recognized with ERASE Racism's Corporate Leadership Award on June 7th at its 10th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Reception.  Maurice "Mo" Vaughn will accept the award for the company.

When asked about the success of Omni New York LLC, its co-founders Eugene Schneur and Maurice "Mo" Vaughn, retired major league baseball star, admit that they are still surprised about the company's ability to "do well by doing good."   

Since 2004, Omni New York has acquired and rehabilitated or is in the process of rehabilitating 4,516 units of affordable housing in New York State.  Omni focuses not only on the real estate aspect of revitalization, but also on the social aspect by partnering with community and neighborhood groups to provide social services to the community, such as after school programs for children  and skill-building seminars and classes for adults. 

One of Omni's success stories is its revitalization of the Bedell Terrace 245-unit rental complex in the Village of Hempstead. Two years ago, when Omni purchased the seriously deteriorated apartment building, it faced the monumental challenge of providing its residents with a safe escape from the drugs and crime that enveloped the neighborhood.  Dozens of prospective buyers had looked at the property during the last 30-plus years, but none possessed the necessary vision, experience, determination or financial backing to undertake such a challenge.  Omni's rehabilitation of Bedell Terrace has been essential to the successful rehabilitation of the whole neighborhood, and a crucial element in the Village of Hempstead's master plan.

Omni believes that quality, well-managed affordable housing should be available in a variety of neighborhoods.  For example, in 2006 it developed the Mill River Family Residences with 175 affordable housing units in Rockville Centre, a community that has one of the best school districts on Long Island.  As reflected in our documentary "A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS: Race and Education on Long Island", this school district has made tremendous progress in closing the achievement gap between black and Latino students and white students.  Consequently, Omni is not just providing sound housing that families with lower incomes can afford.  By building housing in racially diverse areas it is also providing greater educational opportunities for students from low-income families.