What does Black excellence in education look like? It looks like educators, scholars, leaders, authors, mentors, advocates, and community members using their experiences and their voices to create something bigger than themselves.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Lauren Simone Publishing House was proud to be represented at LEAD: Voices That Lead—Celebrating Black Excellence in Connecticut Education in East Hartford, Connecticut.
The event brought together people committed to recognizing, celebrating, and advancing Black excellence in education such as Senator Anwar Saud, Board of Ed Members: Tyron Harris, Joelle Murchison, and Vanessa Jenkins, and Treasurer Tia Woods.
Representing Shades of Excellence were Dr. Melissa-Sue John, Dr. Kaydian Reid, and Rebecca Betancourt, who were invited to share their personal narratives and reflect on the work that brought them to where they are today.
Telling the "What" and the "Why"
Each speaker at the podium answered two important questions:
What brought you to your current work? And why does that work matter? These questions are important because professional titles only tell part of someone's story. A title might tell you that someone is a professor, author, scholar, publisher, educator, or leader. It doesn't necessarily tell you why they chose that path. It doesn't tell you about the experiences that shaped them, the people who influenced them, the challenges they encountered, or the vision that keeps them moving forward. And it certainly doesn't tell you where they hope to go next.
The speakers were also asked to consider their forward trajectory—what the future looks like and what they hope to continue building. That idea of forward movement is an important part of excellence. Black excellence is not simply about looking backward and celebrating what has already been accomplished. It is also about asking: What are we building next?
Rebecca Betancourt spoke about her childhood experience being a translater for her mom who is from Puerto Rico and her failures and successes in academia. Melissa-Sue John shared how she had to adapt and pivot as her personal roles and interests impacted her professional journey making it not a smooth, straightforward one. Kaydian Reid shared how her family's sacrifice lead her to being the first college graduate and how she noticed their sacrifices impacted their health. She shared about the value of having a mentor guide you especially when your parents are unable to.
From Individual Stories to Collective Conversation
Following the individual narratives, the evening transitioned into a panel discussion.
The conversation explored questions surrounding leadership, excellence, education, and the responsibility we have to those coming behind us. Audience members were also given an opportunity to ask questions and become part of the conversation. That format was intentional. Stories allow us to understand the individual. Conversation allows us to understand the collective. And when we bring those two things together, we begin to see that Black excellence is not one experience or one pathway.
There are many ways to lead.
There are many ways to educate.
There are many ways to create change.
And there are many ways to leave a legacy.
Excellence Is About Impact
For Lauren Simone Publishing House, this message is deeply connected to why we publish. Our work has always been rooted in the belief that representation matters. Children deserve books that reflect the diversity of the world around them. Young people deserve to see people who look like them pursuing their dreams. And communities deserve opportunities to tell their own stories. Shades of Excellence: Stories from Scholars of Color extends that mission into another space. The book reminds us that scholars of color are not simply their credentials. They are people with stories, histories, challenges, families, mentors, communities, and dreams. Their excellence is not just in what they have achieved.
It is also in what they are contributing.
Excellence Means Bringing Others With You
One of the most powerful messages from conversations about Black leadership and excellence is that success does not have to end with the individual.
When we gain knowledge, we can share it.
When we gain access, we can create access.
When someone opens a door for us, we can hold it open for someone else.
When we find our voice, we can use it to make space for another voice.
That is leadership.
And that is the kind of excellence worth celebrating.
The evening concluded with a group photograph featuring the three Shades of Excellence representatives alongside LEAD's leadership—a visual reminder of what happens when people come together around a shared commitment to education, representation, leadership, and community.
The event may have been informal, with networking, a light BBQ buffet, music froma live DJ, and time to connect. But the purpose was intentional.
To recognize the voices. To celebrate the journeys. To honor the accomplishments. And to ask what comes next.
At Lauren Simone Publishing House, we believe the answer to "what comes next?" should always include creating more opportunities for people to tell their stories.
Because when we celebrate excellence, we should not simply celebrate where people have been.
We should also invest in where they and the people they inspire are going.
Shades of Excellence: Stories from Scholars of Color is part of that ongoing conversation.