Anne Arundel schools presents Equity in Action Spotlight Award to Annapolis senior
During a Board of Education meeting Nov. 15, the new Equity in Action Spotlight Award from Anne Arundel County Public Schools was given to Annapolis High School senior Akil Leggett Jr.
The award is given to a student or group of students for efforts in identifying and working to eliminate inequities in their school and home communities. It will be given out monthly, according to the AACPS website.
Leggett earned the award because of his engagement with his community in attempts to make resources, environments, education and opportunities more equitable in Annapolis.
“I just want to help shine a good light on Annapolis High School,” he said. “I think there’s been pretty bad press in regards to the school involving drugs and violence but there are positive things happening here too and I want people to know that.”
The grandson of Annapolis native and community organizer Vince Leggett, Akil got his willingness to help out from his roots. Vince Leggett leads a nonprofit called Blacks of the Chesapeake where they work to preserve the history of Black people on the bay.
Akil said he got his can-do attitude from how he was raised. He said it was instilled in him to be a person of action.
“I enjoy the camaraderie of completing tasks,” he said. “Some people have great ideas but don’t necessarily want to take action, I just don’t mind taking action.”
He was a student panelist for the 2023 Summer Equity Symposium, hosted by the National School Boards Association, where he shared his insights on his experiences as a Black male student in Anne Arundel County Public Schools
He currently serves as his class president as well as president of Annapolis High School’s Black Student Union. Through his leadership, he has worked on initiatives to support students in need, including schoolwide food drives, monthly food distributions and fundraising to support student organizations.
He, along with community partners, is in the process of refurbishing an outdoor space at Annapolis High School that was created to honor victims of gun violence. It’s two park benches in a garden surrounded by flowers and other foliage.
“Additionally, Akil Leggett Jr. was the catalyst for the Uplift IB committee to increase diversity and inclusion in the International Baccalaureate program,” said Eric Lin, the student Board of Education member.
Akil and the committee created a presentation for middle school students to help them have a better understanding of the IB program and be able to identify people who look like them.
Leggett Jr. has also worked with the Banneker-Douglass Museum to help highlight the history of Black watermen in the Chesapeake Bay region.
He assisted with a new program to encourage Black girls to participate in Black Girls Dive, an organization that provides resources to empower Black girls in the area to get involved in marine biology and other aquatic sciences. He also works with Blacks in Marine Science, a program designed to give exposure to Black students and encourage them to join the field.
Akil was presented with a plaque and certificate from Joanna Bache Tobin, president of the Board of Education, and Lin. Almost his whole family was in attendance to cheer him on.
“Akil Leggett Jr, you are an outstanding student and we are proud to recognize you as the November 2023 student equity in action spotlight, congratulations,” said Superintendent Mark Bedell.
