Posts by Hannah Esqueda
California’s Budget is Good News for School Transformation!
Above: Original art by Eden Meseret (she/her) for the California Partnership for the Future of Learning 2022 Arts Showcase. Two weeks into the year and we’re already celebrating some good news! On Tuesday, Governor Newsom released the 23-24 State Budget proposal naming key investments for students, and doubling down on commitments to public education. Most…
Read More ...Meet the New Co-EDs of CFJ: Yasmine Safinya-Davies & Mauro Sifuentes!
After a long and thoughtful search process, we’re proud to announce the new leadership team for Californians for Justice: Co-Executive Directors Yasmine (Yasi) Safinya-Davies (she/her) and Mauro Sifuentes (they/them)! “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Yasi and Mauro into the leadership of Californians for Justice. Individually and together they…
Read More ...Time to Celebrate AND Build Power for 2024
Election Day 2022 has come and gone but our work doesn’t stop here! In fact, these next few days, weeks and months are crucial to the fights our communities will face in 2024 and beyond. Already, we have so much to celebrate in our communities and across the state. From empowering Black and Brown youth…
Read More ...We Want To See Joy, Celebration & Liberation in CA Public Schools
Students walking back into classrooms this fall deserve to feel safe, seen and celebrated. We want CA’s public school students to see teachers and staff who look like them, come from their local community and understand the hurdles they face. We want Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander students and families to be centered…
Read More ...What Does California’s Education Budget Mean for Us?
As our communities continue to process and mobilize around the impacts of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, we recognize the moment we are in. We recognize that those with the financial means can support by donating to abortionfunds.org. We recognize the need for learning, allyship, and interruption by cis men (here…
Read More ...Californians for Justice Part of Statewide Lead for Community Schools
The California State Board of Education approved the Lead Technical Assistance Center for the California Community Schools Partnership Program, a team that includes Californians for Justice (CFJ). The $3 Billion program prioritizes racially just, relationship-centered community school models across the state. Californians for Justice is honored to be named part of the team and will…
Read More ...68 Years Later: Let’s Fight to Fulfill the Promise of Brown v Board
We Have A Historic Opportunity to Create Racially Just, Relationship Centered Schools It’s been 68 years since 13 Black families won their lawsuit to desegregate America’s public schools and secured the right to equal education for students of color. And yet, we know the fight against structural racism in our schools and communities is far…
Read More ...CFJ’s Funding Agenda Prioritized in Latest State Budget!
This past Friday, Governor Newsom released his plans for the 2022-23 May Budget Revision. This offers a sneak peak of what and how the state is likely to prioritize funding next year. Overall we’re pleased with Governor Newsom and state leaders for increasing investments in schools. This is the second year California has seen historic…
Read More ...3 Powerful Moments from CFJ’s Statewide Leadership Retreat
What inspires you to invest in your future? This past weekend, we were inspired by the more than 30 youth who joined us for our annual Statewide Leadership Retreat (SLR). For two days, we got to build with our newest members and youth organizers from across the state! Together we learned about the fight for…
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