Educators and advocates discuss the future of school integration in New York City at a town hall hosted by The Bell and New York Appleseed. Photos by Dulce Marquez
Who gets access to a high-quality education in New York City, and what would it take to make one available to every student?
In this live conversation, educators and advocates examine the policies and practices shaping New York City's public schools, from selective admissions and gifted and talented programs to disparities in school resources.
Moderated by Nyah Berg, executive director of New York Appleseed, the discussion features NeQuan McLean, president of Community Education Council District 16; Vanessa Leung, co-executive director of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families; Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, president of Community Education Council District 4; Kiri Soares, former principal of the Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women; and José Vilson, executive director of EduColor.
Panelists consider what school integration means beyond enrollment numbers, how schools can foster a sense of belonging and the challenges of putting existing school diversity recommendations into practice.
The conversation was recorded on Oct. 20, 2026, during a school integration town hall presented by The Bell and New York Appleseed at the Washington Irving Campus in Manhattan.
Learn more about the School Integration Town Hall here.
Watch the whole event on Youtube here.
Miseducation is The Bell’s flagship podcast, which gives New York City public high school students the tools to report on inequities in the nation’s largest school system.
This school integration town hall was made possible through the generous support of the Marguerite Casey Foundation.
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