The Fellowship, BMEC

FROM THE FAMILY OF LAYLA AVILA: We are devastated as we write to let you know that Layla Adriana Avila passed away on November 2, 2020 after a valiant fight ag...ainst stomach cancer. Though only 47 years old, she accomplished more than most of us ever will. Her story is an incredible one that will always be remembered. Born and raised in Boyle Heights to a single mother, Layla had to grow up fast. Her mother was diagnosed with MS when Layla was in elementary school. She took on adult responsibilities as she navigated her way through everything from her mother’s doctors appointments to helping to bathe her. In middle school, a teacher saw tremendous potential in Layla and helped her apply to A Better Chance, which placed her in an elite boarding high school in Colorado Springs, CO. She went on to attend Columbia University earning a bachelors in Economics. After college she continued on to graduate school at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard with a Masters in Public Policy with a focus in education policy . She then decided to join Teach for America and was placed as a first grade teacher in Compton, CA. People watched her classroom in amazement as she expertly maneuvered the kids through the instructional day with the deftness of a veteran. It made her an immediate favorite amongst students, families and the staff at Mayo Elementary where she was asked, as a new teacher, to serve on the School’s Leadership Team. Layla left the classroom to have a broader impact in education and was hired to run Compton Teaching Fellows, a program of The New Teacher Project (TNTP) with the Compton Unified School District. As with everything in her life, she was amazing at her job and quickly won the respect of Randy Ward, the then-State appointed Superintendent who was a tough critic by any measure. For the next two decades she moved into increasingly challenging roles at TNTP, helping to lead the organization to become what it is today. She gained broad based respect as someone who spoke directly, could never be rattled, solved the most complex problems in practical ways and simply got things done. A few years ago, Layla was recruited to become the founding CEO of EdLoC (Education Leaders of Color), a national organization focused on developing and supporting leaders of color to drive the education reform movement. Of course, she has built a tremendous new organization and gained legions of new fans and supporters. Layla’s goal for her work in education has always been clear. She wanted to ensure that the world became a place where kids who looked like her would be able to excel without having to have the lucky breaks she did. She wanted to create a world in which kids like her would be able to enter a school or workplace and feel like they belonged, set up for success, instead of being viewed with skepticism. Layla knew that in order for this to happen we needed great teachers and the right supports, resources, and structures for them. But she also always said that were it not for the social safety nets that existed for her family in the form of food stamps, welfare and home health care for her mom, her success would not have been possible. That’s why she felt so passionately about building an organization of leaders of color who would fight for these types of policies and practices. And it’s the reason why the continued work of EdLoC is so important for her legacy. Somehow, between all of her incredible work accomplishments, Layla managed to run for and win a position on the Whittier School Board and serve on the boards of various nonprofit organizations. But most importantly, Layla built an amazing family with her husband, Manuel Romero. Bear and Bunny, as they affectionately referred to each other, were soulmates from the start. The reserved and private Layla was balanced out perfectly by Manuel, the gregarious extrovert. The two of them built a wonderful family including their brilliant, talented daughter Catarina (Cati, 7) and their charming and loving son Maximiliano (Max, 5). Layla was the mother who was at every single school event, chaperoning every field trip, and making sure her kids always had the best of everything. That was Layla in a nutshell. This beautiful family was the kind of bright light that our world needs today. We realize that all of you are likely shocked to hear this news. The short story is that Layla was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer in February of this year. Through all of her treatments, Layla kept working at EdLoC, and never skipped a beat. She didn’t want to tell folks about the diagnosis because, as you may know, she was a very private person who didn’t want to burden anyone with worry. It was only a few weeks ago that complications arose. Two weekends ago her condition declined and she was admitted to the hospital on that Monday. She was brought home a week later so that she could be surrounded by family, but it was an incredibly fast and unexpected decline. Though small in stature, Layla was a giant of a woman. Fiercely loyal. Whip smart. Unwaveringly committed. Justice driven. Incredible mother. Dedicated wife. Words cannot do justice to the impact that she had on those she worked with and loved. The world lost one of its best today, but it remains a better place because of her. While the family is grieving, we ask that you post any memories or sentiments about Layla to her Facebook wall. This will be shared with Manuel immediately and eventually with the children when they get older. Details of the memorial for Layla will be forthcoming. Donations can be made to the children’s college fund at https://gf.me/u/y6um6j.

Philly teacher friends: If discussing outcome with students tomorrow let me know.

Aisha K. Elmekki reflects upon two quotes about the racial discrimination faced by the Black community and the need for peace and justice. #StandForJusticeDMV #SFJDMV #blacklivesmatter

Saturday was a long day full of determination, lessons, and love. BPRC marched to demand Justice for Walter Wallace Jr. We still don't know who killed Walter ...Wallace Jr. BLM Philly supported @groceries4philly who provided food and personal items for community members in Malcolm X Park. Afterward we partnered with @phillybsa & @215studentunion for a youth event. There was a dj, photobooth & giveaway table. We gave away school supplies, t-shirts and snacks. Students also talked about their lives, struggles for liberation & Black joy. Look at amazing student performances in our stories. 1-3 @producertommy !!! [ID: Ten black & white photos. First image is BLM Philly core organizer walking into Malcolm X Park with a huge crowd of people. Two ppl in the front have on I Will Breathe t-shirts. White sign on the left held by protestor says #FreeAnt Free all political prisoners. Alt text provided. ]

#52 of the #squarepizzapod with Sharif of the Center for Black Educator Development. . Hope you listen to every word. . Let us know what you think.... . https://podcasts.apple.com//pod/square-pizza/id1498572654 See more

We need more schools focused on Black liberation. We need more Black led schools. We need more Black folks to start schools. #schoolchoice all day. Ery day. #FreedomSchools

Chicago member of the BPP at the Breakfast program