MLK Day at GFS: A Day of Action and Reflections on Equity in Education

The 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Germantown Friends School brought together a wide range of community members—students and their families, alumni, faculty, staff, neighbors, and friends—all of whom poured their talents and energy into service projects and workshops.

To frame the morning of workshops and activities, the day opened with a keynote panel discussion between Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Michelle Palmer, film teacher and acclaimed filmmaker André Robert Lee ’89, and Director of Friends Free Library Kate Garrity. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Zarah Adams, GFS’ Director of Community Engagement and the GFS Teaching Fellowship.  

These leaders from the school community shared thoughtful, insightful perspectives on the topic of equity in education and the ways in which their work and teaching supports it. 

“I've seen firsthand how students of color aren’t expected to succeed. We want them to know we expect greatness from them regardless of how the world sees them.”
- Michelle Palmer

One of the many ways that GFS strives for equitable education is with our program, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. Now in its 30th year, Breakthrough is a year-round academic accelerator, which includes an intensive summer session, for highly-motivated and traditionally underserved fifth through twelfth graders. It has helped 83% of its middle school participants get into top choice criteria-based high schools. Breakthrough is also a dual-mission program, providing hands-on training and classroom experience for college students considering careers in education. 

Educational equity goes beyond academic enrichment; it’s also reflected in the relationships built in the programs. Many of the Teaching Fellows are not much older than the Scholars, and can provide mentorship and guidance, while acting as positive role models. 

“The Teaching Fellows form small learning communities, when students have an opportunity to talk about things that may be weighing on them,” Palmer said. “They can have meaningful discussions and express themselves, and, because they’re not too far apart in age, resonate with one another.”

Part of Breakthrough’s focus this year, Palmer noted, is more connection and resource-building with parents of students in the program.

“We want to be a resource for the entire family so they feel this is a safe space. That’s how you build trust,” she said.

“As I think about Dr. King’s work, the message and the work that I’m really trying to push for is: How do we keep love in the conversation?” 
- André Robert Lee ’89

Lee shared with the audience about the January Term course African American Excellence he’s co-teaching this year. Students begin each class watching a video about Black thinkers, artists, and innovators, like the 99-year old self-taught sculptor Thaddeus Mosley and Young Adult author Jacqueline Woodson. The class is also making posters and materials for Black History Month at GFS that reflect Black excellence back to the community.

Moments like these can help open up spaces where Black students feel seen and heard, Lee said.  

He also noted that a significant part of his philosophy around equity in education centers on the personal connections and one-on-one interactions.

“I really focus on checking in on students and alumni,” he said. “I want them to know I’m here for them, whether that means writing a recommendation for an internship or helping them make connections in the film industry. They should feel supported, seen, valued, appreciated, and loved at this institution, because I think that’s really important for all students.”

“Libraries are institutions of equity and access. That’s what we stand on: letting our community know that we’re here for them.”
- Kate Garrity

To continue prioritizing equity and access in the Friends Free Library (which has been open since 1874!), Garrity shared how she and the staff work to face their own biases as they grow the library’s collection.

“It is critical for the communities we serve to see themselves in our collection, both fiction and nonfiction,” she said. “We’re constantly reevaluating our collection, and many alumni who come back to visit note that the shelves don’t look the same as when they were here.”

The library doors are open daily to students and their families from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. In 2025, community hours were reinstated on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-6 p.m. Garrity worked with community organizations and neighbors to share that information with the public. The library is also a resource for Breakthrough students during the school year when they’re on campus on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

“The libraries in public schools are often underfunded or understaffed to provide the materials students want and need,” Garrity said. “One way we can help here at GFS is to increase access for Breakthrough students and increase our afterschool hours so more students in the community can see us as a resource.”

After the panel wrapped, participants in GFS’ MLK Day of Service—students and their families, alumni, faculty, staff, neighbors, and friends—fanned out across the All School Commons for hands-on service workshops and educational sessions.

Some made pies for the Whosoever Gospel Mission, while others collected donations for community drives. While one group made sandwiches for the Germantown Community Fridge, another learned from Kelly Jones, the storyboard artist and designer behind the PBS animated series Lyla in the Loop. 

“The spirit of Dr. King’s mission was felt across campus,” said Adams. “We thank all of our parent volunteers who made it a ‘day on’ for our community, as well as a special gratitude to our behind-the-scenes teams in Community Engagement, Food Services, Communications, IT, Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Security.”

The day was a powerful reminder that, together, our efforts can make profound connections and changes that ripple outwards into the wider world.