Dear Mercy Community,

During the past few weeks the Alumnae of Mercy High School have been committed to having important conversations regarding racial equity and creating a more Just Mercy environment for all students. 

The Mercy Black Alumnae Brain Trust formed Mercy CORE (Council on Racial Equity) to build awareness, solutions and leadership for anti-racist, anti-biased structures, policies and practices at Mercy High School. Mercy CORE will work closely with the Administration and Board of Trustees. After selecting the Council, the group will create the framework to move forward and create impactful ways of engaging all stakeholders and allies of Mercy. Additional information will be released in July on ways to support Mercy CORE and how to be an ally. 

Although President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation granted freedom to slaves in 1863, it took two years for the slaves in Texas to be notified. On June 19, 1865, known as Juneteenth, slaves in Texas finally learned of their freedom. As we celebrate Juneteenth as a community, the Mercy Black Alumnae Brain Trust felt it was important to release the Mercy CORE application on a significant day in American history. You'll find below the Mercy CORE mission, vision, membership, areas of focus and application information. Mercy High School understands the conversations will be challenging, but remains encouraged and committed to work with Mercy CORE.

Sincerely in Mercy, 

Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger '66, President
Patricia Sattler, Principal
Laura Merritt Everett '98, Director of Alumnae Relations
Sommer Woods '95, Mercy CORE Volunteer Coordinator 
Mercy CORE Mission Statement
The Council's mission is to build awareness, solutions and leadership for anti-racist, anti-biased structures, policies and practices at Mercy High School. We will work with the school and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer to identify systemic racism within the community, analyze the specific barriers to change, and dismantle the structures within the institution that perpetuate racism.
 
Mercy CORE Vision Statement
We imagine a future without systemic racism that empowers all members of the Mercy community to maximize their individual potential in an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive environment.

 
Mercy CORE Member Requirements
*No single graduating class shall be represented by more than one (1) seat on the Council.
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 1960's 
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 1970's 
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 1980's 
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 1990's
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 2000's
  • Two (2) - African American/Black Alum from 2010's 
  • Four (4) - African American/Black Parents of Current Students
  • Three (3) - Mercy Alum who identify as Middle Eastern, South Asian, Native American, Hispanic or Latina
  • One (1) - Mercy Ambassador (Did not graduate from Mercy, but completed at least one academic year.)
  • One (1) - Representative from B.A.S.E. Executive Board
  There will be ten (10) focus area Subcommittees:
  1. Handbook & Code of Conduct, Teacher Disciplinary Plan, Social Media and Policy
  2. Curriculum
  3. Training
  4. Recruitment & Retention of Black Students
  5. Recruitment & Retention of Black Teachers
  6. Athletics
  7. Mentorship
  8. Social, Cultural & Fine Arts Activities
  9. Communication (Internal & External)
  10. Student Support (Counseling & Mental Health)  
Members of the Council will be expected to Co-Chair one area of focus Subcommittee and provide a recommendation report to the entire Racial Equity Council. The Council Chairs will be responsible to recruit and manage Subcommittee members to execute the project plans. The scope of each Subcommittee will be outlined by Council Chairs. In order to create a comprehensive report, Chairs may have to meet with administration, faculty, staff, students and/or parents.
 
Mercy CORE Kick-Off Timeline
The timeline is aggressive in order to begin providing recommendations prior to the 2020-21 school year.
  • June 19: Application Published
  • July 6: Application Due
  • July 7 - July 9: Application Review
  • July 10 - July 15: Applicant Interviews
  • July 17: Selected Members Notified
  • July 20: List of Members Released to Mercy Community
  • July 25: Mercy CORE Planning Meeting
  • August 3: Mercy CORE Parent Meeting
  • August 5: Mercy CORE Meeting with Freshwomen Class
  • August 6: Mercy CORE Meeting with Sophomore Class
  • August 11: Mercy CORE Meeting with Junior Class
  • August 12: Mercy CORE Meeting with Senior Class
  • TBA: Mercy CORE Subcommittee Application
Mercy CORE Contact Info
CORE Application