Junius Solomon

With an open mind and open heart, I commit myself to bring to light the problems besetting communities of color in our nation. Such communities are often underserved with little or no recourse to remedial services. My commitment to serve these communities requires that I engage in civic discourse with relevant stakeholders, civil rights advocacy groups and federal and local civil rights enforcement agencies. The failure or success of my commitment is determined by the degree to which communities of color experience changes in their lives.

Because we have abandoned civic discourse in the market place of ideas, I will challenge some of the prevailing myths. Such myths include attitudes about the primacy of war over diplomacy and America's indispensable role on the planet. We are at a crossroads wherein we are called upon to decide the direction which is best for the nation. We have two choices: remain on the road we are currently traveling or decide to take the road that lead to a better future. The road for a better future begins with living up to the promise that all of our children, regardless of race, color, disability or national origin will be afforded an equal educational opportunity. We cannot operate schools that are separate and unequal. Local governments must not promulgate rules that result in the removal of minority students from school. Such rules as zero tolerance put these students at risk for the school to prison pipeline. This must be avoided at all cost.

Professional experience includes serving as manager with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Earlier, I served as civil Rights investigator with OCR. Prior experience include serving as Dirrector of the Upward Bound/Talent Search projects at Virginia Tech.