VEA’s Summit on Educators of Color: From a Seat at the Table to a Station for Change
November 10, 2026
November 10, 2026
A mosaic of cultures filled the meeting room in Fairfax for VEA’s Summit of Educators of Color, where members built camaraderie and uncovered ways to uplift and advance Virginia’s diverse educator workforce through solidarity, empowerment, action, and transformation.
During the weekend, participants heard from NEA President Princess Moss, keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Robert R. A. Turner, and worked collaboratively in breakout sessions that ranged from workshops such as Culturally Affirming Practices in Schools to Self-Care: A Continuing Journey. A reception with line dancing, snacks, and beverages were also available to wrap up day one, encouraging participants to build community.
Rev. Dr. Turner, a former organizer and UniServ Director of Alabama Education Association, highlighted that the “seats” we bring to the table as educators are not just a location, but a station to depart from towards a final destination of liberty. Using opportunities to create space for others, specifically educators of color, is critical to working towards racial and social justice and ensuring that all voices are heard in public education.
“You as educators every day make yourself seats, stations, where you hope children can take off from you,” Rev Dr. Turner said. “You may not be known… you may not be accepted or embraced right now… you may be left out of history books, but from your station, a train of liberation advances the cause for humanity.”
Rev. Dr. Turner reminded members that as educators, they pave the way for our students and future aspiring educators of all cultural backgrounds. However, this fight for a seat at the table as an educator of color is not theirs alone; it includes their white counterparts as well.
Princess Moss stressed the need of co-conspirators to help educators of color be heard.
“Sometimes we get tired. People of color, we get tired of the fight because it’s always a fight,” Moss said. “You build those relationships, you support each other…you never know who’s watching and you never know who’s going to have those conversations on your behalf.”
Members like Kimberly Adams, a co-conspirator, recognized her privilege and why her attendance at conferences like EOC is crucial in achieving progress for racial and social justice. As a returning participant, she was drawn to hear from colleagues and their experiences; learning how to help each other by being brave for her coworkers and a good ally.
Another returning member to the event, Andrea Trotter, reinforced the importance of non-people of color attending the summit to understand the true story and struggles educators of color go through, and not through a clouded lens of perception.
“They need to hear everybody’s perception. They need to see what we go through on a daily basis to be able to have our voices heard,” Trotter said.
Trotter then went on to talk about the importance of EOC overall.
“Coming to this event, you have peers that look like you, that sound like you, that share the same traumas and struggles as you do. So, it just opens up more harmony and inclusion.”
The summit concluded with a call to action from SVEA-Aspiring Educators President, Mikayla Young, encouraging educators to reflect on who they will pull up a chair for in their communities and to take a seat where decisions are made.
“The educators who came before us did not wait to be invited. They built power together and made room for the next generation,” she said. “So when you leave here today, do not just keep your seat. Make room for someone else.”
According to a poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, 66% of Virginians say public schools do not have enough funding to meet their needs.
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