Nalik Davis, Jr., has been a leader in supporting African American and other students and educators of color in his school district and throughout the Inland Empire. Davis teaches history, AVID and ethnic studies at Eisenhower High School in Rialto and said it’s all about modeling the work and building relationships.

“Students will always reflect their leadership, so if my leadership in the classroom is showing kids that I care by being on time, putting all I can into my work, giving full effort and showing my best to them—that will reflect in them,” he told his college alumni publication a few years ago. “They will start to care, they will start putting in the effort, and they will start investing in their education. If you can get to that kid for a good five to 10 minutes and build a relationship with that kid, then they will trust you forever.”

Davis has coordinated and moderated an African American Inland Empire Educator virtual roundtable for the past two years, uniting teachers, administrative leaders and staff to discuss issues they have faced as African American educators and how we can better support our African American students.

With other Rialto Education Association members, Davis has also presented at CTA conferences on what is possible with ethnic studies. In February, he received a Bridge Builders Award from Rialto Unified School District for “excellence in equity & access toward students and community.”

“I want us to continue the work,” Davis says. “Let’s continue to push forward, to work together, to be a stronger community and to find ways to highlight our African American students and staff.”

Watch Nalik Davis Jr.’s short video here. Read about the other Human Rights Award winners here.