On August 24, 1992, a complaint against the School District of Pittsburgh was filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) charging the District violated sections of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. The District and the Advocates for African American Students, the group that filed the claim, reached a Conciliation Agreement in September 2006. This original agreement included 94-action steps that address how the District can reduce the achievement gap, provide instructional support, and create an environment of equity for its African-American students.

Per the 2006 agreement, representatives from PHRC, the Advocates for African American Students and the District selected members to sit on an Equity Advisory Panel (EAP).

Formed in October 2006, the Equity Advisory Panel is charged with monitoring, advising and reporting on the District’s progress. The Panel also recommends research-based strategies, methods, techniques and programs that support racial equity. The original Conciliation Agreement also required that the District provide administrative support to coordinate the Conciliation Agreement as well as oversee the monitoring and assessment of data.

Members not pictured: Ms. Celeta Hickman, Dr. James Stewart

Equity Advisory Panel Member Past and Present

MS. WANDA HENDERSON
Chair and Original Member of the Advocates for African-American Students

MS. TAMANIKA HOWZE
Original Member of the Advocates for African-American Students

DR. ANTHONY MITCHELL
Professor of African-American History, Penn State Greater Allegheny

MS. CELETA HICKMAN
Teaching Artist and Parent Organizer, Hill District Education Council

MS. MARIA SEARCY
Parent Consultant, Pennsylvania Department of Education

DR. JAMES STEWART
Professor Emeritus, Penn State University

KIRK HOLBROOK
Director, University of Pittsburgh Hill District Community Engagement Center

LARRY E. DAVIS, PH.D.*
School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh

MARK CONNER*
Pittsburgh Public Schools Parent

*former EAP Member