Syosset, NY– March 5, 2025 – The Board of Directors of ERASE Racism announced today that it has appointed April Francis Taylor as Acting President, effective immediately. Laura Harding had served as President from 2022 until earlier this year.
April is a dedicated advocate for equity, educational justice, and systemic change, with teaching and administrative experience in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. She has a deep commitment to dismantling structural barriers and fostering inclusive learning environments and has spent much of her career driving transformative policies that promote equal opportunity for all. Additionally, she prioritizes healing and community building, recognizing that true equity requires creating spaces where all voices are valued, histories are acknowledged, and collective growth is nurtured.
April has won awards throughout her career as an educator. She won the “Most Dedicated Teacher” Award from the Uniondale School District in 2006, the “Partners in Education” Award from Nassau BOCES in 2016, and the “Educator of the Year” Award from the Town of Brookhaven in 2023. She has also taught in East Rockaway and been a program director for Eastern Suffolk BOCES.
Beyond teaching and educational administration, April’s expertise spans policy development, conflict resolution, leadership training, and regional collaboration. Throughout her career, she has worked to dismantle systemic inequities by implementing inclusive curricula, advocating for equitable policies, and elevating student voices in decision-making.
April’s commitment to more equitable opportunities has given her extensive experience collaborating with policymakers, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups to challenge discriminatory practices and promote social justice. As former Vice President of the New York State Council of the Social Studies (NYSCSS) and former executive committee member of the Middle States Council of the Social Studies (MSCSS), she championed civic engagement and culturally responsive social studies education statewide and nationally. She is currently a Board Member of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association (LILTA) and Equity 4 Long Island Youth, and she serves as Education Chair for the Islip-Smithtown Branch of the NAACP.
April is an adjunct professor in the Hofstra University School of Education and in Stony Brook University’s School of Professional Development, creating and teaching courses on educational leadership and instructional best practices. She has also contributed to state-level education initiatives, serving on task forces for New York State Education Department’s Culturally Responsive Education Framework and the Seal of Civic Readiness.
April grew up in East Massapequa and attended Amityville UFSD from kindergarten through 12th grade. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Educational Leadership, from Hofstra University, where she is pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational and Policy Leadership.
“April brings to ERASE Racism a depth of experience advocating for and implementing programs aimed at educational equity on Long Island and statewide,” said Kalpana Bhandarkar, Co-Chair of ERASE Racism’s Board of Directors. “We know that our organization and our initiatives will benefit from her experience and expertise, as we work to enhance and expand ERASE Racism’s vital legacy.”
“April has a relentless drive to eradicate racial disparities and advance equity,” said Edward Pichardo, Co-Chair of ERASE Racism’s Board of Directors. “That drive is essential at this crucial time in our history, as we continue to propel transformative change on Long Island.”
“I’m excited to take on this new leadership opportunity with such a distinguished civil rights organization,” said April Francis Taylor. “With the unwavering support of the dedicated Board, administrative team, and community, we will continue ERASE Racism's mission together.”