Hey John,

I’ve been an educator for over 20 years now, and I’ve spent my career fighting for comprehensive, accessible education for all children. My crowning achievement was founding a public middle school in the Baychester neighborhood of the Bronx — Cornerstone Academy for Social Action — where I served as the school’s first principal.

For years now, I’ve been an outspoken critic on standardized testing that ignores the underlying inequities in educational opportunities for our children. As Congressman for NY-16, I will make equitable education a priority in New York and in Washington.

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In 2001, my opponent, Rep. Eliot Engel, voted to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, which was supposed to close the achievement gap between races. These tables prove that the gap not only remains, but is actually larger than it was before.

(Source: New York City Department of Education)

At first glance, these tables might seem positive with improved proficiency rates in both English and Math for the past seven years. But when you look closely, you can also see how they show the gap in achievement between white and black children is increasing. Between 2013 and 2019, the achievement gap between black and white children in English increased 1.1 points while the achievement gap in Math increased by 3.5 points.

These data tell a story that says more about our country and our systems than our kids.

We need representatives who make equitable education a priority in Congress. Will you contribute $5 to help elect me to represent NY-16 and to elevate discussions surrounding education in Washington?

We need to work with the experts — educators — to create educational policy. By working together, we will create a new America that puts equitable education at the top of the agenda.

In solidarity,

Jamaal