Schools + Community Partnerships

Schools cannot do it alone, and they shouldn’t have to.

Ebony Burnett has spent her career uniting educators, nonprofits, families, and community leaders to create lasting change for students. She knows that when a community stands behind its schools, students thrive.

Ebony believes it is our collective responsibility to invest in the success of today’s students because they are tomorrow’s leaders. At the YMCA and now as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at a local nonprofit, she has built strong, collaborative partnerships that break down silos and expand opportunities.

She’s seen firsthand how genuine community collaboration leads to better outcomes, from increased student support to greater educational equity. Ebony doesn’t just talk about partnership, she delivers it.

Ebony believes we should:

• Strengthen school and community partnerships that support the whole child and family

• Make it easier for schools to work with trusted community partners

• Ensure partnerships reflect the real needs of schools and lead to better student outcomes

• Elevate the voices of educators, families, and students in every stage of planning