Today, Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence (D-Portland) and Representative Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas) join Black women leaders across Oregon in releasing a statement celebrating Nataki Garrett, who has served as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s (OSF) Artistic Director since 2019. The leaders join in denouncing the racist death threats made against Ms. Garrett.
For some parents, the effort is welcome news.
Justice Rajee has two kids. One of them attends a Beaverton high school. He said Washington County is one of the most diverse counties in the state, and it will likely stay that way. That’s why it’s imperative work be done to not only hire more diverse teachers and staff, but keep them as well.
Credit: Justice Rajee
Justice Rajee with kids
He said more diverse staff would positively affect young people of color and could help them feel more at ease in the classroom.
“I think that it’s fantastic that there’s been some proactive efforts to plan for the future,” Rajee said.