Northgate Elementary School to be renamed to James Baldwin Elementary School

 It's official! Northgate Elementary School will become James Baldwin Elementary School when it reopens 2023!

Notes from the Seattle School Board meeting discussing the Northgate Elementary renaming proposal, as reported by Sheryl Grater.
  • Proposed name was changed from James Baldwin Academy to James Baldwin Elementary School.
  • Guillermo Carvajal verified he contacted the Baldwin estate, as there is a James Baldwin School in NY, but could not get communication. According to Dedy Fauntleroy's research, the family manages the literary rights, not anything else. An unauthenticated letter arrived recently, allegedly from the Baldwin Estate, stating they've suspended requests for name usage. The letter requests not to use James Baldwin's likeness or image, so that would be evaluated at a later time. SPS looked at applicable federal/state law and nothing prohibits the name change.  The only rule is that SPS do their due diligence, which did occur according to the legal team.
  • The School Board acknowledged that Dedy had support from nearly a dozen community organizations, groups, and members, including the HLCC.
  • Dedy talked about a teacher, who identifies as a person of color and queer, who cried when they heard about the potential name change, because they would feel so represented.
  • Several School Board members talked about the importance of focusing on who the current and future students are, instead of emphasizing nostalgia. They spoke of creating a legacy, especially for people of color in our city. Another School Board member said it is not an erasure of the past, but an opportunity to build better. 
  • One School Board member was distressed that community members expressed having problems with the name at such a late date, but most of the School Board talked about the importance that all opinions be heard. Apparently someone called James Baldwin anti-Catholic. However, the School Board shared that James Baldwin's actions within the Church were to criticize racism, and that he always came to the table to communicate, even with people he vehemently opposed in deep disagreement. They believe this type of action is what is needed now more than ever.
  • The vote was 6 out of 6 in favor of, and the name passed unanimously.
  • Dedy and Guillermo would like to invite the James Baldwin family and the School Board to attend the opening of the school.

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