In these times, laying the groundwork to eradicate racism is more important than ever. So too is developing collaborations across the community. And this is exactly what the Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition (MVDC) has been doing since 2020. The all-volunteer group partners with Island organizations and institutions to promote access to justice, health, and education, equipping every child to face the world with confidence. The education committee works on many fronts to support Island schools and ensure that each child gets the education they deserve in an environment that makes them feel safe and valued.
Jocelyn Coleman Walton, Lisa Pimentel, and Andrew Italiano chair the committee, which is comprised of multigenerational, multicultural artists, musicians, writers, and photographers. I recently spoke with Walton about just some of their impressive initiatives over the years.
The M.V. Living Legends: BIPOC and Immigrant Elders Oral History Project began in 2021 with support from Mass Humanities, M.V. Community Foundation, M.V. Bank, and the local cultural council of Mass Cultural Council. The project is a collaboration of the education committee, the Island branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, MVTV, the regional high school, and Charter School students. Former M.V. Museum oral historian Linsey Lee and educator Lynn Ditchfield, with the help of student mentors, teach students to research, prepare questions, and record interviews with senior Islanders of color to honor the oral history tradition and support multicultural, intergenerational dialogue. Walton, one of the original interviewees, says, “In my case, they had my book, ‘The Place My Heart Calls Home,’ as a resource, and picked up ideas in developing their questions from that, two of which were: What has being on the Vineyard meant to your life’s work? And did you have an experience that inspired you to become a teacher?”
The project has continued over the years, and a 30-minute video featuring several of the student interviews will be screened during the MVDC Truth and Joy Program on June 27 at the PAC. This annual free event promotes racial justice, educates the public on the Island’s often-untold history, and celebrates diversity through cultural performances and festivals.
The 2022 Honoring the Native People of Noepe endeavor came about when Walton and Pimentel, with input from Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal members, presented it to the All-Island School Committee, which resulted in Columbus Day being removed from the school calendar and Indigenous Peoples’ Day being added. “That was very thrilling for us,” Walton says.
The committee and M.V. Public Schools also sponsored a summer professional development curriculum workshop for teachers in 2024 and 2025. Oak Bluffs third-grade teacher Tonya Katz led the workshop, titled “Strengthening Classroom Discourse by Including Diverse Perspectives.” The accolades were strong, with one participant commenting, “[This workshop] was thought-provoking and honestly life-changing … Frankly, when I walked into the class, I assumed that, as a ‘nonracist, nonbiased’ person, I didn’t need to learn anything about it. I now understand that I have a long journey ahead to become an antiracist and antibiased teacher, member of my community, and citizen of the world.” As a result of the workshops’ success, Katz has been asked to lead additional ones for the district. “We’re ecstatic about that,” says Walton. “It’s like a snowball rolling.”
The Readers Program began in 2021 and continues today. Walton notes that approximately 10 percent of our schools’ educational staff are people of color, including fewer than 0.03 percent who are Black or Native American. “So there is very little opportunity for children on our Island to see people of color as role models. We decided to invite friends and colleagues of color to visit the elementary schools and read to the students. Joe Carter, the retired Oak Bluffs Police chief, is one of our readers. I even have two people from off-Island who come each month to read. They have also donated a bundle of books.” The teachers and readers select the books together. “It’s not as much about the book, but the interaction,” says Walton.
Practicing Our Activism Discussions for teachers and community members originated when the education committee was first formed. “Initially, we were getting a sense of what we could do. Sometimes you just need to shore each other up for the work you’re doing. In 2023, one of our members facilitated conversations with the Seeing White podcast.” This set of powerful podcasts explores solutions and responses to America’s deep history of white supremacy: “We went through the school year listening and discussing it.” Last year, members read ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,’ in which Isabel Wilkerson examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America, and shows how a hierarchy of human divisions still defines our lives today.
Coming up, MVDC’s education committee, with the NAACP, is sponsoring the Marie B. Allen Juneteenth Creative Arts Project. It is open to grades seven to 12. The theme is “What freedom looks like, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Entries may include all forms of the arts, including essays, poetry, and visual art. The prizes will include cash and other awards totaling up to $250, to be awarded in June. (For more information, contact davidmiltonallen@gmail.com).
All the other endeavors the education committee has undertaken and continues to pursue can be found on its website. Walton stresses that everyone in the community, whether or not you are an educator, is welcome to participate. She says, “We’d love to have you join us. We are a dynamic and caring group dedicated to laying the groundwork to eradicate racism.”
M.V. Diversity Coalition is holding an event called Truth and Joy on Saturday, June 27, at the high school’s Performing Arts Center, which will include honoring Richie Smith as he leaves his position as superintendent of schools. A special oral history project will also be screened. For more information, visit bit.ly/MVDC_EducationComm. Email mvdceducationcommittee@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.