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A Statement from CEO Lynsey Wood Jeffries

Yesterday, the Supreme Court struck down race-based admission at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, essentially ending affirmative action.

Affirmative action is a practice or policy of increasing workplace and educational opportunities for individuals belonging to groups regarded as disadvantaged or subject to discrimination, in order to establish new paths to equity.

Higher Achievement exists to address educational inequity, which is the result of systemic discrimination in our communities. Thus, this Supreme Court decision hits hard. We need more levers to bring about equity and justice, not more barriers.

At Higher Achievement, one of our core values is racial equity. Our efforts to live this value are deeply rooted in our internal practices and programming with middle school scholars. We are growing HBCU partnerships for staff and mentor recruitment. We are teaching mentors about cultural humility. We are equipping scholars to make intentional choices about their best fit high school. And more.

As a white woman who has been committed to this mission for 23 years, it is imperative that I vigorously continue my racial justice learning, recognize the limitations of my lived experience, share my voice in the movement, while making space for others to lead as their authentic selves.

On this side of this SCOTUS decision, we remain resolute in our commitment to our scholars. We will continue to do everything in our power to help them succeed – in every way they define that – in high school, college, and beyond.