Our Pledge

For many Black students and families, our public schools are the heart of our communities. But far too many have been overlooked, neglected and forgotten by those in power who choose to bail out greedy corporations and line the pockets of privatizers. We must hold decision makers accountable to the people by reinvesting in policies and systems to achieve healthy and strong schools and communities.

Whether, Black, brown or white, native or newcomer, we will work together to not only address the cruel and unjust policies of the past, but to move forward to make our values of justice, safety, equity, and inclusion a reality for all of us…

Together, we make the future, and we will rewrite the rules to make this a country where all of us can prosper. The future is the sum of the changes we demand, the courage we display, and how we stand with and for each other.

We Demand

1 – Transforming Policing Policies for Safe and Just Communities

We demand that decision makers at all levels re-examine the role of the law enforcement in our communities and our public schools to ensure public safety, while dismantling unjust policies designed to disproportionately impact Black and Brown people, such as mass incarceration, militarization of law enforcement, unlawful separation and detention of immigrant children and families and the excessive use of force.

2 – Healthy and Strong Communities and Schools

We demand a transformative investment in the physical, mental and economic health and growth of Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. That means addressing the clear and consistent ways that corporations have exploited, stymied and stolen the wealth of communities of color — resulting in a frayed network of public services in communities of color, including school buildings lacking clean water, asbestos-free and lead-free facilities, proper heating and cooling and more.

We Demand

3 – Empowering Communities and Schools

We demand Black educators and student voices be integral to the decisions that impact their schools and communities. Whether Black, Brown, Indigenous or white, when students, families and educators come together to ensure racial justice in public schools — from pre-K to higher education — it strengthens the whole community.

4 – Ensuring the Right to Vote for Black, Brown, Native and AAPI Voters

We demand free, fair, and accessible elections that address the long-standing practices of voter suppression and discrimination in Black and Brown communities. While the right to vote is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, politicians have used policies and voter suppression tactics to limit the participation of Black, Brown, AAPI and Native American communities impeding their ability to have a voice in our government.