Our History
THE HISTORY OF LEILA GREEN ABSE:
THE HISTORY OF LEILA GREEN ABSE:
During the 1974-1975 school year, a group of minority employees of the licensed staff of the former Hartford Junior High School responded to the Canton City School District’s plan to desegregate its staff by removing minority teachers from predominantly minority schools. Two school leaders, Ms. Stephanie Patrick and Ms. Patricia Kyser, called a general meeting of all minority educators to create an alternative plan to present to Supt. Dr. Henry Kurdziel.
During the 1974-1975 school year, a group of minority employees of the licensed staff of the former Hartford Junior High School responded to the Canton City School District’s plan to desegregate its staff by removing minority teachers from predominantly minority schools. Two school leaders, Ms. Stephanie Patrick and Ms. Patricia Kyser, called a general meeting of all minority educators to create an alternative plan to present to Supt. Dr. Henry Kurdziel.
The plan contained two primary objectives: 1) desegregate the student body by revising the school district’s population lines and 2) hire more minority teachers and desegregate the district by assigning newly-hired minority teachers to the predominantly non-minority schools. As a result, the district hired more minority staff members and set a licensed staffing goal to assign at least one minority (primarily African American) educator to each school and maintain/retain at least 20-percent of school licensed educators as minorities.
The plan contained two primary objectives: 1) desegregate the student body by revising the school district’s population lines and 2) hire more minority teachers and desegregate the district by assigning newly-hired minority teachers to the predominantly non-minority schools. As a result, the district hired more minority staff members and set a licensed staffing goal to assign at least one minority (primarily African American) educator to each school and maintain/retain at least 20-percent of school licensed educators as minorities.
In 1977, previous efforts towards establishing fairness, equity and equality across the Canton City School District were in jeopardy as Ms. Patrick left to join the KEDS staff at Kent State University (https://dks.library.kent.edu/cgi-bin/kentstate?a=d&d=dks19731113-01.2.24 ).
In 1977, previous efforts towards establishing fairness, equity and equality across the Canton City School District were in jeopardy as Ms. Patrick left to join the KEDS staff at Kent State University (https://dks.library.kent.edu/cgi-bin/kentstate?a=d&d=dks19731113-01.2.24 ).
In 1978, the unprecedented strike of all Canton City Schools’ employees that compromised the education of all students inspired Ms. Kyser to pull together former and new minority members to establish an affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, Inc. that would be focused on promoting equal and equitable treatment of minority educators and students of the Canton City School District. The group formally became known as the Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators with the name reflecting a suggestion from Mrs. Marian Crenshaw to honor the first African American valedictorian of McKinley High School, Miss Leila Green. In 1978, Mrs. Nadine McIlwain became the first president; Ms. Kyser, vice president; and Mr. Donald Jones, treasurer. A State Charter and Articles of Incorporation were obtained with 18 full members. Soon after, several events became tradition such as the Annual Leila Green Scholars’ Day, Academic Scholarships; Black History Week programs; etc.
In 1978, the unprecedented strike of all Canton City Schools’ employees that compromised the education of all students inspired Ms. Kyser to pull together former and new minority members to establish an affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, Inc. that would be focused on promoting equal and equitable treatment of minority educators and students of the Canton City School District. The group formally became known as the Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators with the name reflecting a suggestion from Mrs. Marian Crenshaw to honor the first African American valedictorian of McKinley High School, Miss Leila Green. In 1978, Mrs. Nadine McIlwain became the first president; Ms. Kyser, vice president; and Mr. Donald Jones, treasurer. A State Charter and Articles of Incorporation were obtained with 18 full members. Soon after, several events became tradition such as the Annual Leila Green Scholars’ Day, Academic Scholarships; Black History Week programs; etc.
Today, Leila Green sponsors additional events and activities that emphasize the "each one, teach one" philosophy, we share information around innovative instructional and learning strategies that have proven successful in motivating minority and disadvantaged youth and increasing academic performance in the critical learning areas. Our policy and advocacy work ensure high standards and quality in our public and private education systems. We provide college scholarships, one-to-one and small group tutoring, as well as service learning activities for youth and adolescents.
Today, Leila Green sponsors additional events and activities that emphasize the "each one, teach one" philosophy, we share information around innovative instructional and learning strategies that have proven successful in motivating minority and disadvantaged youth and increasing academic performance in the critical learning areas. Our policy and advocacy work ensure high standards and quality in our public and private education systems. We provide college scholarships, one-to-one and small group tutoring, as well as service learning activities for youth and adolescents.
Since the inaugural year, Ms. Patrick returned to the school district as an administrator and became the second president. In subsequent years, Dr. Sandy Womack and Mrs. Andrea Ramsey also served as presidents. Today, the Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators is also known as the Leila Green Educators’ Council, Inc. and is recognized as a federal non-profit organization.
Since the inaugural year, Ms. Patrick returned to the school district as an administrator and became the second president. In subsequent years, Dr. Sandy Womack and Mrs. Andrea Ramsey also served as presidents. Today, the Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators is also known as the Leila Green Educators’ Council, Inc. and is recognized as a federal non-profit organization.