Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD) is proud to announce that Superintendent Cali Binks was honored with the prestigious Inclusion Excellence Award at the 5th Annual MOSAIC-Legacy Gala. The ceremony was held at the Riverside County Office of Education on April 30th, bringing together educational and community leaders from across the Inland Empire to celebrate champions of diversity and equity. The YCJUSD Board of Education recognized this honor at its May 12th regular Board of Education meeting.
The Inclusion Excellence Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate commitment to modeling inclusivity and creating opportunities for historically marginalized groups. MOSAIC-Legacy, founded by retired Riverside County Superintendent Dr. Judy White, recognizes leaders who embody the organization's core values of faith, scholarship, service, and cultural diversity.
Superintendent Binks’ selection for this award stems from her decades of advocacy for student-centered, inclusive education. Beginning her career as a Special Education teacher, Mrs. Binks has long been a voice for students with special needs and diverse learners. Her leadership at YCJUSD has been defined by the belief that every student matters and the implementation of programs that ensure every child, regardless of background, feels seen and supported.
Dr. Judy White said, “Cali Binks has consistently demonstrated advocacy for all students. As the President and Founder of MOSAIC, we are committed to recognizing educators and scholars on an annual basis for inclusivity, unity, excellence, and ensuring the moral imperative for access to education. Her letter of recommendation included specific examples of working with populations with special needs and the economically disadvantaged. Cali Binks is the epitome of a MOSAIC honoree, where her actions always speak louder than her words.”
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are incredibly proud to see Superintendent Binks recognized with the Inclusion Excellence Award,” said Board President Cathy Bogh. “Cali’s leadership is defined by her heart and her tireless advocacy for every student in our district. She doesn’t just speak about inclusion; she lives it, ensuring that our schools are places where every child feels they truly belong.”
Under Binks’ guidance, YCJUSD has implemented the Family Learning Center, which supports second-language learners and families in navigating the educational system, as well as district-wide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) programs. Her work continues to impact the broader region through her leadership in the county and her role as a mentor to aspiring leaders in education.
The MOSAIC-Legacy Gala celebrates the "mosaic" of multicultural and diverse women and allies committed to excellence. By receiving the Inclusion Excellence Award, Superintendent Binks joins a select group of leaders dedicated to building a legacy of equity for the next generation.