State and federal officials joins Worcester students and community leaders next week as Worcester Public Schools formally launches an anti-racism campaign created in response to racist incidents involving the district’s student-athletes.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and U.S. Rep. James McGovern are scheduled to take part in a districtwide Stand Against Racism assembly Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Doherty Memorial High School. Students from all WPS high schools are expected to attend and recite the district’s Stand Against Racism pledge.
The campaign, a collaboration with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts and Worcester NAACP, was introduced by Superintendent Brian Allen at the beginning of the school year following a series of incidents involving Worcester athletes at away games.
WPS has said the initiative grew in part from racist comments posted online about members of the South High Community School girls basketball team during the 2025-26 season.
The district has already begun bringing the campaign directly to student-athletes. Assemblies have been held at South, Burncoat, Doherty and North high schools and with athletes in the Main South cooperative program, which includes Claremont Academy and University Park Campus School. Students have recited the pledge and discussed their role in confronting racism, bias, bullying and discrimination.
Allen and WPS Athletic Director Dave Shea have also met with student-athletes as part of the initiative, encouraging them to support one another and lead by example in their school communities.
Tuesday’s larger gathering will bring students from across the district together for the formal campaign launch. In addition to Campbell and McGovern, scheduled speakers include Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Allen, YWCA of Central Massachusetts CEO Deborah Hall, Worcester NAACP President Fred Taylor and a student speaker.
The assembly is scheduled for 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Doherty Memorial High School, 299 Highland St.
WPS said it plans to continue the campaign with the YWCA and NAACP throughout the 2026-27 school year. The district has described the effort as extending beyond athletics to classrooms, hallways and the broader Worcester community.
