If effects of education reforms in the future are similar to effects of education reforms in the past, it may take between 65 and 780 years to close racial achievement gaps in math and science (Taylor, in preparation). From a review of the literature, I found that educational reforms, directed toward eliminating achievement differences associated with race and class, for the most part have been unsuccessful. As an alternative to these top-down models of educational reform, a bottom-up proposal emerges from more than three years' discussion with ministers, principals, parents, concerned citizens, and political and community leaders. I introduce a community empowerment plan directed toward creating, nurturing and sustaining a communal milieu that accelerates the closing of achievement gaps associated with race and class. I conclude by examining organizational challenges that must be addressed in initiating and sustaining this community empowerment effort. (Contains 9 footnotes and 2 tables.)