Abstract: The perceptions of stakeholders within a school community regarding student attendance are indicative of the critical importance of attending school, particularly in the early grades, as it relates to social and academic growth. Different forms of research and practice when exploring the factors that affect school attendance may help identify challenges that impede equity in education. This case study allowed African American parents/guardians and school leaders to use their voice to address the importance of school attendance and advocate for their students who encounter issues with chronic absenteeism and its effect on their academic achievement and behavior. The portraiture methodology used to develop a narrative and story for each participant centered on their perceptions of student attendance and chronic absenteeism. Their perceptions were then interpreted and discussed through the theoretical lens of critical race theory. In addition to interviews, this research utilized observations and document analysis to explore the stakeholders' perceptions of attendance and absenteeism at a predominantly African American elementary school in an urban area of Southern California.