Constance Clayton, first African American and woman to lead Philly school district, dies at 89

Constance E. Clayton, the first African American and woman to lead the School District of Philadelphia, died on Monday, September 18. She was 89. “Connie loved working with children and would just light up when they were in the room,” said Darryl Ford, longtime family friend of Constance Clayton. “She was a fierce advocate for the students in her care and she held the students, teachers and colleagues in the district to a standard of excellence.