Children's Defense Fund

This year holds special historic importance for Children's Defense Fund and our #CDFFreedomSchools program. Sixty years ago, Civil Rights Movement activists participated in the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project of 1964, which among other things, included the use of Freedom Schools to educate Black Mississippians during the notoriously divisive Jim Crow era. Those schools ultimately inspired the CDF Freedom Schools model that our Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman would create in 1995.   While there has been much progress regarding the civil rights of marginalized populations in America since Freedom Summer, we know there is much more to be done to deliver equity to everyone in our nation. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor Dr. Jon Hale recently laid out the reasons freedom schools are still needed in a TIME op-ed. Hale, who also authored the books “The Freedom Schools" and "The Choice We Face,” explains why the CDF Freedom Schools curriculum is so important.   Read here: https://lnkd.in/ebf9yC-4

Thank you to Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson and the Children's Defense Fund for hosting LIVE FREE USA faith and community leaders from across the country shared powerful stories, provided updates on our work, and discussed national policy and gun violence prevention and CVI strategies while prepping for our meeting with the The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention in Washington, DC. Faith leaders, join us by taking action and joining our network. https://lnkd.in/eHjVtZgF PC: Matt Anderson #EndGunViolence #LiveFreeUSA #FaithLeaders #CommunityLeaders #PublicHealth #CVI Antonio Cediel Hannah Naomi Jones michael mcbride Ciera Bates-Chamberlain Rosie Bryant

We want to give a big congratulations to @CDFOhio Senior Policy Associate Katherine Ungar. The Ohio School-Based Health Alliance (Ohio Alliance) recognized her as a G.R.I.T. advocate for her work on school-based health care in Ohio. We love when our passionate staff is recognized for all they’re doing to help young people thrive. Way to go, Katherine!

This year, our CDF Freedom Schools program is serving more than 13,000 K-12 scholars in 29 states and 102 cities across America. Children's Defense Fund Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman modeled the program after the freedom schools civil rights activists set up during the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, 60 years ago, to provide a more robust, civic engagement-centered educational curriculum for Black Mississippians during segregation. We are so proud of all that our participating scholars have accomplished and will go on to do in the future as we continue our efforts to unleash the joy in growing up!

Children's Defense Fund would like to welcome Rev. Marvin Silver to the organization as our new Leadership Development and Organizing Director. Rev. Silver comes to CDF with an extensive background in community and faith organizing as well as a sharpened public policy expertise. He once served as a pastor at United Jubilee Church of Christ in Lanham, Maryland. He has also held several leadership positions, including Associate Conference Minister for UCC Central Atlantic Conference, Outreach Director for Americans for Financial Reform, and Deputy Legislative and Policy Director for USACTION. Rev. Silver previously championed issue campaigns on the state and federal levels to gain support for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, children’s health and economic recovery programs. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bowie State University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity.

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, the CDF Freedom Schools Program has launched the “60 for 60 Read Aloud Campaign.” The effort aims to recruit 60 award-winning authors, illustrators, and photographers to serve as read aloud guests at CDF Freedom Schools sites across the country during our National Day of Social Action (NDSA), on Wednesday, July 17. The goal? Protecting the freedom to read as book bans and restrictions continue to be implemented across the nation. CDF Freedom Schools staff has organized the campaign in collaboration with The Brown Bookshelf, a group that promotes African American literary creators and their work for young readers. Children's Defense Fund Founder and President Emerita Marian Wright Edelman started CDF Freedom Schools 30 years ago. Mrs. Edelman modeled the program after the freedom schools civil rights activists set up during the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, which she was personally involved with as a fellow with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Those freedom schools provided a more robust, civic engagement-centered educational curriculum for Black Mississippians during segregation. Similarly, CDF Freedom Schools offers youth a culturally relevant literacy education each summer during the annual six-week-long program. In 2024, CDF Freedom Schools will serve more than 13,000 K-12 scholars in 29 states and 102 cities. Check out these photos to learn more about the “60 for 60” campaign and sign up or share with a literary creator you know!

Today, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis. Children's Defense Fund applauds this decision as gun violence has adversely impacted so many young people across our country. We also appreciate The White House inviting CDF President & Chief Executive Officer Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson, CDF Vice President and Chief Program Officer Sheri Brady, and CDF National Public Affairs Director Bob Farrace, CAE to listen to related discussions on this important issue throughout the week. Click this link to read more about how General Murthy's landmark decision will impact America and its youth: https://lnkd.in/gvimjjsR    

Our #CDFFreedomSchools program is well underway at more than 200 sites across America! This year, we have more than 13,000 K-12 scholars participating in freedom schools in 29 states and 102 cities. The six-week-long program provides youth a culturally relevant literacy education during the summer. CDF Freedom Schools National Director Dr. Kristal Moore Clemons, Ph.D. got the opportunity to visit one of our sites hosted by First Baptist Church of Hampton, in Hampton, Virginia. She spoke to reporter Stephanie Johnson, of 13News Now (WVEC), to why the CDF Freedom Schools program is special and how it changes lives. “I hope they walk in first knowing that they’re cared for and two knowing that they can make a difference,” said Dr. Clemons. Click the link to read the article or watch the video below: https://bit.ly/3VUFrIp Dr. Clemons also notes that the late Rev. Dr. Joan S. Parrott was once the first woman to serve as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hampton. In addition to her service at that church, Dr. Clemons said Rev. Dr. Parrott also once served as the vice-president of CDF Haley Farm.

Our Juneteenth celebration must be coupled with a renewed vigilance against those with political and economic power today who ban books to keep our young people from knowing their own freedom and agency. Read more by CDF President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson. https://lnkd.in/eCd_Erx7

From their efforts fighting book bans to ensuring families have health care, Children's Defense Fund-Texas is always working to help young people thrive. CDF-Texas State Director Dr. Brandy Taylor DéDé & CDF-Texas Deputy State Director Michelle Castillo recently appeared on 90.1 KPFT Houston to highlight our Texas team's work. Take a listen to what both Brandy and Michelle had to say and how you can support our efforts in the Lone Star State!