By Adam Sevier
Staff Writer
The Clinton family donated approximately $33,000 to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation to create a social grant in August.
The Clinton’s home was attacked in February of 2015 as the result of a suspected hate crime. The criminal(s) sent a flaming tire through the Clinton’s front door while Ron Clinton and his three kids slept. Nobody was injured and the Clintons escaped safely.
“When something horrific like that happens, it goes to show you that there are still people out there who do not accept all races and ethnicities,” Mira Costa sophomore Malachi McMahon said. “We are still in a battle against hate and racism.”
Within days after the attack, the Clintons received $32,600 from the community through Fundly. The money would serve as reward money for anyone with information on the crime. After waiting for over a year for someone to claim the reward money, the Clintons decided to donate the money to MBEF to create a social inclusion grant.
“MBEF has created a grant program that is open to teachers, students and staff throughout the district, for a targeted campaign to create viable programs,” Flechner said. “These programs will inspire change and nurture a productive and honest dialogue in our schools.”
“It’s refreshing to work with women you respect who have a shared interest,” Clinton said.
The grant enables students, teachers, and parents to have the funds to put ideas that better teach students to be inclusive and understanding of all races and ethnicities, into play, Malissia Clinton said. Clinton worked alongside MBEF Executive Director, Farnaz Flechner and former MBEF president, Marla Zaslanksy to create the grant.
“MBEF has created a grant program that is open to teachers, students and staff throughout the district, for a targeted campaign to create viable programs,” Flechner said. “These programs will inspire change and nurture a productive and honest dialogue in our schools.”
Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Website
According to the grant’s funding documentation, the majority of the money will be used in teacher led initiatives that cover themes such as trainings for students on hidden and unconscious biases. A portion of the money will also be given to the Black Scholars’ Union at Mira Costa.
“Our goal is to eradicate racism and discrimination in our community,” Flechner said. “Tolerance is simply not enough.”
Mira Costa Clinton Grant Winners
The Clinton’s home is restored, and luckily no one was harmed in the attack. With the help of MBEF, the Clintons have turned act of terror turned into an amazing opportunity for students in the district.
“We wanted to make a difference to the community and turn an act of hate into a symbol of love” Clinton said.
Leave a Reply