As part of its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) joined the Pride March and the Pride Festival during this year’s Sacramento Pride Weekend (held June 8–9). Participation in the annual event, which is organized by the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, is one of the ways SCOE is standing behind its equity imperative. These principles are foundational to enriching the education community and fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and understanding.
Engaging with festival-goers at the Pride Festival, a team from SCOE’s Personnel Department provided information about SCOE programs and initiatives, along with details about SCOE job opportunities and careers in education. “There was significant interest in our booth and we received a lot of positive feedback about our participation,” said Darrien Slider-Johnson, SCOE’s Chief Administrator of HR. “It was particularly heartwarming to have a former SCOE student see our booth and stop to share with his friends how proud he was to be a SCOE graduate. We’re so pleased to be involved with this important community event.”
- Learn about SCOE’s equity imperative and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts
A respected leader in the education community, SCOE is focused on creating inclusive and welcoming environments where all students feel a sense of belonging. “We aim to disrupt inequities and empower the next generation to thrive in an ever-changing world,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon, who joined Sacramento County Board of Education President Bina Lefkovitz and Board Trustee Mariana Corona Sabeniano at the event.
“I was proud to march with SCOE staff, Trustee Corona Sabeniano, and trustees from several other districts, showing LGBTQ+ students that they are seen and that we will support them in being safe and successful,” commented Board President Lefkovitz.
By participating in Sacramento Pride, SCOE not only showed solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, it highlighted its dedication to supporting all staff and students, working to promote acceptance and understanding. Participation in the event sends a powerful message that everyone—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity—deserves a supportive and affirming educational experience.
About Pride Month
Each June, Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and the fight for equal rights. On the first anniversary of the uprising, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was America’s first pride parade. The Stonewall Inn and the surrounding area have since been designated as a national monument. Sacramento Pride has been celebrated since 1979.