This legacy of transformative leadership continued with the pioneering Jeanes Supervisors, a program birthed from SEF’s vision and the philanthropy of Anna T. Jeanes. These remarkable Black educators became architects of progress in the segregated South, uplifting rural schools and empowering communities. They trained teachers, advocated for resources, and wove a network of hope in places where it was most desperately needed. The Jeanes Supervisors were more than educators; they were beacons of possibility, illuminating paths for generations yet to come. Many years later, SELI emerged as an answer to the unmet promises of Brown v. Board of Education, a case that, in 1954, declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The desegregation mandated by the Supreme Court did not automatically erase the systemic inequities deeply rooted in our nation’s history. Inequitable funding, resource
disparities, and racial segregation —often in new forms—continue to define educational landscapes. SELI was created to address these lingering gaps, cultivating leaders who challenge these inequities and champion the ideals that Brown aspired to fulfill.
SEF’s leaders have always understood that education is the foundation of transformation and that cultivating leaders grounded in education opportunity is essential to nurturing that change.
SEF’s leaders have always understood that education is the foundation of transformation and that cultivating leaders grounded in racial equity is essential to nurturing that change. These leaders challenge the status quo, dismantle systemic barriers, and build bridges to a future where every child’s potential can flourish. The work of SELI’s fellows over the past two decades stands as a testament to this belief, their voices echoing the enduring truth that justice in the South paves the way for progress across the nation. Du Bois’ assertion that “As goes the South, so goes the nation” captures the profound truth that the struggles and triumphs of the South ripple far beyond its borders. As we enter the third decade of SELI, we celebrate not only two decades of developing extraordinary leaders but also the centuries of dedication that paved the way. We honor the voices that sang of freedom in the face of oppression, the hands that built schools from scarce resources, and the hearts that dared to believe in a more just world. The Southern Education Foundation remains steadfast in its mission, for the promise of equity—like the voices of yesterday—must continue to guide us toward the brighter tomorrows we all deserve.
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