The Council of African American Parents, the newest addition to Walnut’s Parent Association, was introduced on Jan. 24, featuring a parent run program dedicated to supporting both parents and students of academic success. 

The program’s primary focus is on exploring ways to better support students of African, African American, Caribbean and black descent, as well as creating a community where parents can connect with one another to enhance support for their students. 

“It’s all about inclusion, making sure that not just some people have the opportunities. I want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity. If I see somebody who doesn’t know about something that’s going on, I can inform them,” grade level counselor Corolar Schultz said. 

The program is inspired by the many other parent organizations, such as the Chinese American Parent Association and the Latin Parent Alliance, whose goals are also to help a community of students and parents on campus. Benefits to this program include “opportunities for scholarships, college visits and college expos,” according to principal Ryan Maine. 

“If they can be an advocate, even just for one person, and give one person the opportunity, I think it does benefit the school as a whole,” Schultz said. “If people feel included and have a sense of belonging, it’s going to benefit the school because anytime somebody feels included, they can share that inclusion with somebody else that are feelings of joy or happiness or somebody else so that they also feel included. Just by making them feel part of something will add to our community as a whole.”

Chiaka Ejike, the parent of a Walnut student, was the first to suggest this program at the beginning of the school year. Her idea was board-approved in October, and the Council of African American Parents’ first meeting took place on Jan. 24. 

“For our kids to have these experiences here, it takes a whole community to come together. And part of that is capture another piece of that puzzle,” Maine said.