Brianna's Bulletin: January 2026

Hi, ya'll,

The new year is officially underway, and while I’ve spent some time decluttering, I’m even more energized by what this season of the school year brings. As we closed out 2025, we shared powerful stories of impact from our work, and spring consistently brings renewed hope, fresh ideas, and new opportunities to deepen our support for students, families, and educators.

On Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., I hope you’ll join me at An Evening to Shine at DPAC, where we’ll celebrate the incredible performance and visual arts talents of our DPS students and educators. And if you can’t join this year, consider purchasing a Pay it Forward ticket so cost is not a barrier for families who want to attend. In March, our family engagement collectives will be in full swing, creating space to identify opportunities for advocacy and shared leadership within our schools. Then, as the school year winds down, we’ll celebrate the accomplishments of our 2025-26 grantees and DPS graduates receiving DPSF scholarships as they head off on their postsecondary journeys. 

Time and again, opportunities for families to gather and celebrate their students have sparked the momentum needed to return to difficult conversations with trust, clarity, and purpose. As recently as last week, we called for accountability and transparency following the indictment of three DPS administrators, grounded in our support for student safety, dignity, and family trust.

Ongoing conversations with DPS and the Durham community, both difficult and joyful, are central to our work within the public-school ecosystem: creating meaningful spaces for connection across communities, grounding our efforts in a shared commitment to student success, and strengthening the relationships required to drive lasting, transformative change.

Our students are our light. Investing in them, organizing alongside their families, and supporting their educators are essential to how we do this work. I’ve said it before, and I’ll offer a new year reminder: you’re invited to join us whenever you’re ready.

‘Til More,

Brianna Kennedy

Interim Executive Director, DPS Foundation