Director VanCedric Williams, born in Los Angeles, was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. Many years ago, as a 6th grader walking home from school with his mother, he shared that he wanted to change the world. She responded, “Son, adults are set in their ways. If you want to change the world, then you need to work with young folx*; they have the most promise.” That conversation with his mother was the catalyst for choosing a career as an educator 20 years later.

His career and passion for public education grew as a paraeducator. He realized that seeing young folk and Black male students’ achievement and success was a must mission from those early years. He understood that being a classified paraeducator is the backbone of every school. He celebrates them. Williams, from that experience, was hooked and pursued a teaching career. He has dedicated himself to teaching students in the most underserved communities for the last 20 years. He has worked hard as a teacher-leader of the Community Dream School Project. He also leads a student mentoring program that encourages, empowers, and enlightens BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students to be their best selves, know their history, and provides leadership through community service.

Williams has concluded that he has not met a child who can't learn. As an education activist, he will continuously and tirelessly advocate for the most marginalized and vulnerable students. If you lift our most marginalized students, then all students would benefit from more classroom funding, increased neighborhood enrollment, community schools, anti-racist policies, and racial and social justice/equity in our schools and communities. Williams invites everyone to become an active participant in the mission for educational justice as he serves and represents you as a Director on the Board of Education. Every Pre K-12 child should receive nothing less than the highest quality public education.

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*"Folx" is an alternative spelling to the familiar word "folks". The x in folks symbolizes the inclusion of diverse genders and marginalized groups' identities.

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