*Link to the history of my talks with GH about this matter.

This petition is the result of over a month of fruitlessly urging Great Hearts Academies to implement an Anti-Racism Action Plan. I have gone through my school's campus administration, the executive director of GH in TX, to the President and cofounder of the entire charter. When I finally spoke to GH President, Dan Scoggin he asked if we could have a meeting via phone call. I eagerly agreed on the condition that we both record it... Then he declined, and has refrained from speaking further on the matter. I have also spoken to parents of GH scholars, some whom have had similar experiences with Mr. Scoggin, which led them to withdraw their children from the school. I am asking for GH to declare that they support Black Lives Matter, that they understand that Black Students and Black Teachers Matter. I am asking that they recognize the level of support needed for those in pain, and do more than pay lip-service. I am asking for GH to implement a charter-wide Anti-Racism Plan, that includes but is not limited to anti-racism training for all employees (including board members etc.), diverse representation in curriculum, and a team on each campus to implement and monitor this plan. 

This is not an accusation of racism. We all have biases, and we must learn to recognize and face them in order to come together to heal and support each other. An educational institution should not be opposed to learning.