Equity Team

Booker T. Washington Middle School has established an Equity Team whose goals include enhancing and improving efforts to ensure academic success by closing opportunity gaps and providing equitable and inclusive working and learning environments for all students, families, staff and communities. Additionally, it is intended that increase in diversity and equity and establishing these conversations will lead to tangible and intangible results such as increased cultural understanding and decreased discipline rates.  The specific goals of the Equity Team will be determined by its committee so that we can determine the focus most appropriate for our school.
 
The NYC Department of Education has established the Equity and Excellence for All program with the intention of supporting diversity in New York City public schools.  For the NYC Department of Education "Equity" means meeting every student where they are, and providing the support, resources, and high expectations for them to achieve at consistently high levels. 
 
District 3 has asked that all schools create a distinct Equity Team comprised of parents, students, faculty and administration to begin the process of assessing what equity and diversity means for their school community and begin the process of establishing an open dialogue.
 
The definition of diversity includes: Socio-economic, Region, Disability, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation, Language, Age, Religion.
 
The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City and with the belief that all students benefit from diverse and inclusive schools and classrooms.  ​

NEWS and resources

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

The Equity Team has compiled a list of free educational opportunity programs that provide academic support, enrichment activities, mentoring, and preparation for high school admissions for low-income and underrepresented students. We encourage parents/guardians to check program websites over the summer as some application deadlines are in the fall.  If you need assistance with the application process, contact the Equity Team.
 
El Equipo de Equidad ha elaborado una lista de programas de oportunidades educativas gratuitas que ofrecen apoyo académico, actividades de enriquecimiento, tutoría y preparación para la admisión a la escuela secundaria. Estos programas están dirigidos a estudiantes de bajos ingresos y con poca representación. Sugerimos a los padres que consulten los sitios web de cada programa durante el verano, ya que algunas fechas límite de solicitud se cumplen en otoño. Si necesita ayuda con el proceso de solicitud, comuníquese con el equipo de Equidad.
  • APEX for Youth: Mentoring and Test prep for AAPI students
  • Baruch College STEP Academy
    The Baruch College STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) Academy is a New York State Education Department-funded pre-college program for middle and high school students interested in pursuing careers in the STEM professions. The program invites eligible students to participate in workshops and enrichment courses in math, science, SAT, and college preparatory workshops.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at baruchstep@gmail.com
  • Bank Street College Liberty LEADS
    ​Liberty LEADS at Bank Street College is a New York City–based high school completion and college access program that has served more than 1,700 students between 5th and 12th grade since 1989. Founded to empower underrepresented youth, our program makes an impact in the lives of students every day by helping them attain higher education, embrace leadership engagement, and create a positive future for themselves and others.
  • Breakthrough New York: A free program that prepares low-income students to succeed in middle school, high school, and college. It is a ten-year program that starts the summer before 7th grade. Students apply in 6th grade.
  • Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Summer & Youth Programs: The objective of these program opportunities offered through the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is to help facilitate a pipeline for underrepresented minority and/or economically disadvantaged students who are interested in the fields of research, science, medicine, and related health professions.
  • Double Discovery Center at Columbia University: DDC accepts students who are first-generation and/or meet low-income federal guidelines; have a school attendance rate of at least 90%; and attend a DDC partner school OR live in the Morningside, Manhattanville, Harlem, or Washington Heights areas. Students apply in 9th grade.
  • LaGuardia Portfolio Mentors: A free portfolio prep program (materials not included) for middle school students who plan to apply to art high schools in NYC. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • NYC Mentors: Connects middle school student with older peers to guide, support and mentor them and their families with the NYC high school application process.
  • PASSNYC (free or low cost SHSAT prep)
  • Oliver Scholars Program: Prepares high-achieving Black and Latino students from underserved New York City communities for success at top independent schools and colleges. We provide crucial support for our Scholars so they can realize their full potential and ultimately give back to the city, the nation, and the world. For rising 7th graders. Students are nominated by teachers beginning in September.
  • TEAK Fellowships: A free NYC-based program that helps talented students from low-income families achieve their potential. Through intensive after school and summer classes, TEAK prepares middle school students to get into the nation’s most selective high schools and colleges. TEAK’s strong support system ensures that students thrive in their high schools and graduate from college, ready to pursue their professional goals and positively impact the world.
  • Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring Program: Founded in 1902, Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring strives to transform the lives of children through one-to-one mentoring, while strengthening entire families in hardship.
  • SEO Scholars: A free, eight-year, academic program that gets low-income public high school students to and through college. Students apply in 8th grade.
  • Prep for Prep: Program for academically gifted African American, Latino, and Asian American students who are also low-income. Prep for Prep helps students enroll and thrive in premier independent schools (commonly known as private schools) in New York City and boarding schools across the Northeast. Students apply in 5th, 6th or 7th grade.
  • A Better Chance: Recruits, places, and supports students of color at more than 200 independent day, boarding, and high-performing public schools. Students apply in 4th or 7th grade.

PRINTABLE PDF OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS 

African-American History Month

​The Equity Team invites MS54 students and families to delve into the rich and meaningful legacy of African American History and its impact on our daily lives. From the democratic principles we cherish to our unyielding pursuit of freedom and self-determination, so much of what we value has roots in African American freedom struggles and ingenuity. We encourage families to reflect on these ideas and write down some of their reflections, in the form of poetry, song, rap or short essays. We would love to publish your reflections on our school’s website, so do not hesitate to submit your contributions by March 17.

For inspiration and guidance, you may want to explore the Poetry Foundation’s collection of poems, essays and podcasts on African American History. The National Archives and the Smithsonian have a collection of essays on African American heritage, culture and intellectual contributions that you will also find enlightening.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2023

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking before the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1968.
Welcome to 2026 -2027!
The Equity Team welcomes you to the 2026-2027 school year! We encourage you to earn more about our mission and share your ideas, questions and suggestions for creating an inclusive and equitable community at Booker T.

Lunar New Year

February 6, 2027
February 6th marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, one of the most important holidays for people of East and Southeast Asian descent. It is a time for reuniting with family and celebrating with lucky foods and customs. Many cultural institutions throughout New York city will be celebrating the Year of the Goat. You can find local or virtual events here and learn more about the originstraditions and significance of the Lunar Year.  
 
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King's Legacy
​January 18, 2027
 
​Most of us have heard a few lines from Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream”. But have you heard the speech in its entirety? To honor the legacy of Dr. King and celebrate the meaning of his words, the Equity Team invites families and students to read his most famous speech again. 

Korean American Day

January 13
This day commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903 and celebrates the contributions of Korean Americans. You can learn more about the significance of this day in this interview with Dr. Edward Chan of UC Riverside.

Kwanzaa

December 26 – January 1
Kwanzaa is a secular African American and pan-African holiday, created by Maulana Karenga in 1966, that celebrates family, culture and community. It is rooted in East African harvest festivals and is celebrated with music, narratives, dance and gift-giving. Each of the seven days focuses on one of seven principles. Visit the official Kwanzaa website to learn more about this festival and its significance to the African American community.

Hannukah
Evening of December 4 through Dec 12, 2026
Evening of December 24, 2027 -January 1, 2028
We celebrate Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. This holiday commemorates the victory of Jewish Maccabeans fighting for the preservation of their beliefs and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Learn more about the significance of Hannukah and how it is celebrated.

Transgender Awareness Week

November 13 - 19
Fostering a safe and affirming community in which all students thrive is a central tenet of MS54’s Equity work. We do this by providing support and raising awareness of different communities within our school. This week we encourage you to read the DOE's guidelines on supporting transgender and gender expansive students and best practices for families to support their children.

Native American History Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month. Manhattan, the ancestral home of the Lenape tribe, is derived from the Lenape language and is loosely translated as “place of many hills”.
Read the work of our current and first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo and consider visiting the National Museum of the American Indian.
The New York Public Library has a collection of resources to help you explore and learn more about Native American cultures, languages and literature.

Celebrate the best of Native cinema with the Smithsonian’s Native Cinema Showcase running each November. Featuring the cultures and perspective of thirty-nine Native communities in the Western Hemisphere, this online showcase includes full length features, shorts, and filmmaker panel discussions available on demand.

Learn about the various thanksgiving traditions in Native communities and the origins of the “First Thanksgiving”.

Diwali, November 8, 2026

This week, Diwali, or Deepavali, is celebrated worldwide by people of South Asian descent, including Hindus, some Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Both a secular and religious holiday, it marks the triumph of light over darkness and is celebrated by the lighting of candles, exchange of gifts and enjoying meals together. Learn more about Diwali.

Hispanic Heritage Month​​
September 15th through October 15th marks Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month. This month we will celebrate the culture and accomplishments of people of Hispanic and Latinx descent by highlighting stories, artists and thinkers that will inspire you.