Book Beat: ArtsWestchester celebrates landmark school desegregation decision with author talk

A new book on the presidency’s role in school desegregation by former New Rochelle teacher and principal LaRuth Gray, Ed.D., is the subject of an author talk at ArtsWestchester Feb. 8.

ArtsWestchester will host a talk with LaRuth Gray, Ed.D., author of “School Desegregation and U.S. Presidents: How the Role of the Bully Pulpit Affected Their Decisions” at its Arts Exchange headquarters in White Plains Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Brown versus The Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, generally known as Brown v. Topeka Board of Education. The ruling declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, nullifying Plessy versus Ferguson (1896). Gray’s new book takes a different look at the nation’s attempt to address the landmark decision – a much-traveled ground – by unpacking the power of the presidency in implementing the decision.

Gray, who began a long, award-winning career in education at the New Rochelle public schools, will talk about the book with Michael A. Rebell, executive director at the Center for Educational Equity and a professor of law and educational practice at Teachers College, Columbia University. An audience question-and-answer session will follow. Tickets – which are $50; $25 for ArtsWestchester members – include a copy of the book.

Proceeds from the event will support ArtsWestchester’s Art & Social Justice initiatives. For more, visit artswestchester.org.