Board of Education
Community Equity Committee

The Charge of the Community Equity Committee

The CMS Board will convene a Community Equity Committee as a partner in dialogue regarding equity. Members of the Community Equity Committee will review and discuss CMS data and programs in order to monitor progress toward equity. Equity Committee members will represent members of parent, student, educational, faith, and community groups with the expectation that they will become both thought partners in, and community advocates for equity. The diverse nature of the group will provide staff with a sounding board for future initiatives.

The Equity Committee will meet regularly to review reports and monitor progress. Observations and recommendations based upon those discussions will be delivered to the Board.


CMS Board appoints Equity Committee members

16 members elected by CMS Board on May 10.


Committee Members

Board Appointed

terms end June 30, 2023

Board Elected 

terms end June 30, 2022


Derrik Anderson
Crystal Agurs
Sherika Kemp
Stella Smolowitz
Maritza Ortiz
Maura Chavez
David Judge
Ray McKinnon
Gilbert Gilchrist
Lucille Frierson
Arthur Griffin
Dee Rankin
Justin Perry
Zhenia Martinez
John Murchison
Dr. Maureen Furr
Glen Stephens
Katrina Barnett 
Gerald Sanchez
Khushi Bhatt 

Margueritta Brown 
Bettie Butler 
Connie Cabbs 
Pamela Grundy 
Leslie Gutierrez 
Ian Joyce 
Chance Lewis 
LeDayne Polaski 
Richard Purcell 
Adam Rhew 
David Taylor 
Sharika Comfort 
Christopher Corcoran 
Kimberlee Cox-Benjamin 
Saronda Easter
Dr. Deborah Blackwood
Dr. LaToya Owens
Brent Morris
Alyssa Sharpe


View the Governing Policies 

P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website (www.cms.k12.nc.us) is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any website accessibility concerns may be brought via the following, Email the Web Accessibility Team at WebAccessibility or Call: 980.343.0115. In compliance with Federal Law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.