Agenda Item
ii. The Equal Justice Initiative $12,000 Legacy Scholars Grant Award to Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Cherisse M. Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education accept the $12,000 Legacy Scholars Grant from the Equal Justice Initiative to support Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School’s educational visit to the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture enhancing students’ understanding of history, justice and civic responsibility.
Why: Board approval of this award affirms support for an immersive educational experience that deepens students’ understanding of American history, justice, and civic responsibility. The grant fully supports travel for Bethune Middle students and chaperones to visit EJI’s nationally recognized Legacy Sites without financial burden to the District.
Details: The Equal Justice Initiative awarded a $12,000 Legacy Scholars Grant to Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School to support a May 14, 2026, field experience in Montgomery, Alabama. The funding enables 200 students and 12 chaperones to visit the Legacy Museum, National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact to the District
Contact: Dr. Cherisse M. Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678.676.0035
Arian Williams, Academic Coach, Bethune Middle School, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678.875.0302
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Equal Justice
ell Initiati
February 27, 2026
Donover Butler
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School
5200 Covington Hwy.
Decatur, Georgia 30035
Dear Mr. Butler:
Congratulations! The Equal Justice Initiative has approved a Legacy Scholars grant of $12,000.00 to Mary
McLeod Bethune Middle School to enable you to bring 200 students and 12 chaperones to visit EJI's
Legacy Sites The Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument
-
Sculpture Park - in Montgomery, Alabama on 5/14/2026.
I am attaching the grant agreement and a blank W-9 form. Please carefully review, complete and sign both
documents and return them to me at legacyscholars@eji.org or via mail to Equal Justice Initiative, 122
Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, Attn: Legacy Scholars Grants. Upon receiving the documents,
EJI will send you the grant funds via check in accordance with the instructions you provide to us.
After your visit, you will be required to submit a brief report, in which we will ask you to share your
reflections, feedback, and the impact of the trip. Before, during, and after your trip to Montgomery, we
encourage you to reach out to us at legacyscholars@eji.org with any questions or concerns.
EJI is thrilled to support Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School students' learning journey as they
experience our unique and powerful cultural sites.
Sincerely,
Faily i
Emily Wilson
Deputy Director of Development