Dear Friends and Partners,
A new year ushers in new opportunities to shape legislation and policies that increase access to great public schools in our Black and Brown communities.
Nationwide, state legislators are shaping their 20024 legislative agendas. Before bills are debated and votes are cast, our voices must be heard at the decision-making table. Join FCCS in the #FighttoChoose schools by us and for us! With one click, you can ask your legislators to support the expansion of diverse public schools led by people of color.
We hit the ground running in Georgia and Texas this month, engaging Black and Brown school leaders and lawmakers to create a more equitable and responsive public school system that prioritizes the needs of Black and Brown students.
We’re grateful to Georgia Representatives Mesha Mainor and Leesa Hagan who understand the power of building relationships. They met with us and charter school leaders to discuss our legislative objectives and landed on a plan of action. In Atlanta, charter school leaders – from The Kindezi Schools, Utopian Academy of the Arts, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, DeKalb PATH Academy, Ivy Preparatory Academy, and Westside Atlanta Charter School – gathered to discuss how they will work together to achieve their funding priorities for the year ahead.
As we celebrate National School Choice Week, we gathered for our “Leaders and Lawmaker” Series in Houston, TX this month. We’ve got the full recap here – including the most pressing issues facing local leaders and a spotlight on Houston’s Educational Change Makers.
I’m very excited to share that FCCS launched our redesigned website at www.coalitionforcharters.org! The site features school choice research and provides opportunities to take action as we raise awareness and support for expanding charter schools led by leaders of color, that work for kids of color, and that are supported by Black and Brown parents. We now have a page dedicated to schools that want to join us in the FightToChoose great public schools. And there’s so much more – including stories from the community and upcoming events. I hope you’ll check it out!
The year ahead will bring many opportunities to gather together to advocate for the policy priorities that matter deeply to our communities – more information coming soon!
And, in the meantime, mark your calendars for May 7, 2024, as we celebrate FCCS Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Geoffrey Canada in New York! You can register to attend here.
In community,
Jay
Jay Artis-Wright
Executive Director
FCCS