Blanca Carbajal, a parent and community advocate from Herndon, was honored with the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award at the June FCPS Equity Symposium. The award was presented by Nardos King, Chief Equity Officer, on behalf of the Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC). This annual recognition is given to individuals making significant contributions to educational equity in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Carbajal was chosen from a group of nominees that included staff, students, and community members who are working to improve school experiences for underserved groups. Her nomination highlighted her impact across all nine award criteria. She advocates not only for her own child but also for other families by bridging communication gaps and addressing critical issues at various levels.
Her nominators stated: “Blanca embodies what it means to advocate for educational equity. As a mother and immigrant, she has lived the very disparities she now works tirelessly to address.” They added: “Despite not speaking English, Blanca courageously communicates using translation apps and persistence. She helps families navigate school systems—not as a staff member, but as a volunteer.” Furthermore, they noted: “She brings the voices of immigrant families directly into decision-making spaces and advocates with courage and clarity.”
Among her achievements, Carbajal co-created a support group for mothers of preschool-aged children by organizing resources from FCPS’ pre-K program, HIPPY, and local libraries to connect nearly 20 families. She also organized a network to help families understand school communication better. Additionally, she advocated for reducing fees at Herndon parks so all families could access them.
Fairfax County Public Schools acknowledged Ms. Carbajal’s recognition and expressed gratitude to all nominees for their efforts in making schools more inclusive and accessible.
