Bio
Dr. Raul Fernandez is a public impact scholar. As a Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, he studies, writes, and teaches about inequities in education. As the Executive Director of Brookline for Racial Justice & Equity, he rallies his neighbors in the relentless pursuit of racial and economic justice.
While Chair of DESE’s Racial Imbalance Advisory Council, he co-authored Racial Segregation in Massachusetts Schools, the first report in a generation to evidence the substantial and pervasive disparities between segregated white and nonwhite schools in Massachusetts.
Raul also served as a member of Brookline Select Board – the first Latinx person elected to that position. During his time there he created a working group to support public housing residents, a Racial Equity Advancement Fund, and a task force to reimagine public safety.
Raul’s academic pursuits have focused on how policymaking through the courts, state legislatures, and the federal government impact education policy and practice. He also designed a graduate-level course on School Segregation, which is also being taught as part of the Boston Public Schools Dr. Carol Johnson District Leadership Fellowship.
He has been named a Public Impact Scholar by the Boston University Initiative on Cities and a Massachusetts Education Policy Fellow by the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy.
He is also the policy chair on the board of Amplify Latinx, which seeks to build economic and political power for Latinos in Massachusetts, and a board member of Commonwealth Kitchen, which supports women and people of color in starting food businesses.
Backstory
Interested in the origin story? Listen below as I talk about my journey through education – what worked, what didn’t, and why we need educational pathways wide enough for every kid.
Media Coverage
My work bringing attention to school segregation in Mass. has been covered in the Boston Globe, WBUR, the Bay State Banner and elsewhere. Click below for coverage by NBC10 Boston.
Advocacy
My favorite motto comes from Hampshire College – To Know Is Not Enough. I’ve taken that to heart as an advocate for progressive education, housing, transportation, public safety, and other policies. Whether speaking at protests, testifying in the legislature, or organizing events that motivate others to action, advocacy continues to be an important part of my work.
