Brian Yearwood Makes History in Louisville’s Public Schools
Brian Yearwood is about to make history in Kentucky. On July 1, he will become the first Black superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in Louisville. This is the state’s largest school district, serving more than 94,000 students.
His appointment comes at a tense political moment. Kentucky’s Republican-led legislature has been pushing back against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in public schools. Yearwood will have to balance the district’s diverse student needs while navigating lawmakers’ opposition to equity initiatives.
Kentucky’s Largest and Most Diverse District Faces New Leadership
JCPS isn’t just the biggest school district in Kentucky — it’s also the most racially and economically diverse. About a third of students are Black, another third are white, with growing numbers of Hispanic, Asian, and multilingual students. Over 65% of students come from economically disadvantaged homes.
These challenges are part of why Yearwood’s leadership matters so much. “Success isn’t defined by where you start but how hard you are willing to work,” he said in a recent statement. Yearwood, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, moved to the U.S. at age 17 and worked his way up through education.
Political Tensions Surround Equity Efforts in Louisville Schools
Yearwood steps into a role clouded by political battles over DEI programs. Republican Senator Lindsey Tichenor wants to ban DEI in Kentucky’s K-12 schools. Her bill didn’t pass this year, but she plans to try again in 2026.
Tichenor accused JCPS of focusing too much on DEI and not enough on academics. She argued, “More of the same will get more of the same results.” According to state data, JCPS students perform below the state average in key subjects like reading and math.
Community Leaders Hope Yearwood Defends Equity Initiatives
Local leaders see Yearwood’s appointment as both a victory and a challenge. Lyndon Pryor, head of the Louisville Urban League, said, “He’s going to have to be innovative… collaborative to make it happen because of these attacks.”
Democratic lawmaker and JCPS teacher Tina Bojanowski worries about losing tools to support students in poverty or trauma. She emphasized, “We need to do whatever we can to help every student be successful.”
Yearwood Vows to Build Bridges While Protecting Students’ Needs
While Yearwood wasn’t made available for interviews, he spoke at a community forum in May. He pledged to meet lawmakers where they are — even over breakfast or lunch — to highlight JCPS’s successes.
“If you don’t have a diversity lens, if you don’t have equitable practices, then there will be haves and have nots,” Yearwood said. He made it clear that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education won’t work for Louisville’s diverse classrooms.
A Leadership Change as the District Looks Ahead
Yearwood replaces outgoing superintendent Marty Pollio, who’s retiring after years of Republican oversight and scrutiny. Pollio will become president of Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.
The decision to hire Yearwood wasn’t without debate. Some in the community preferred candidate Ben Shuldiner, who was a stronger public defender of DEI. Yet, local experts saw Yearwood as a choice more likely to navigate Kentucky’s political climate without abandoning equity work.
As Pryor put it, “It is a worthy and necessary cause for our kids and, quite frankly, for our community.”
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