While a vast improvement over 2020 in countless ways, 2021 is still fraught with many of the same challenges from prior years. Case in point would be the arguably racially-motivated murders at several spas in Atlanta, only to be partially overshadowed by more senseless gun violence days later. Now as a nation we also begin to sit through the retraumatization of George Floyd's completely avoidable death at the hands of the police as the accused murderer's trial steps into the spotlight. No matter where you come down, acts like these put entire communities on edge. It disheartens us all in our souls but also emboldens us to continue to work towards a society that respects all people and cultures. Such an attitude can be instilled, nourished, and reflected through the education system. We will continue to do our part as equity-minded researchers to make that world a reality.

To that end, we are forgoing having a guest editor this month to instead focus on a slew of new equity-minded reports and briefs from our researchers. This issue, which also debuts our new newsletter design and layout, includes a look at Student Parents, Shared Equity Leadership, Design for Equity in Higher Education, Leadership for Liberation, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and the challenges faced by black students related to technology and college access.