Posts by Hannah Esqueda
State Ed Budget: Crucial Investments in Young People’s Health & Wellness
On January 8th, Governor Newsom released his proposed 2021-2022 budget. After a year when students and families have struggled through a pandemic, natural disasters, a historic election, and the different manifestations of white supremacy, we commend Governor Newsom’s commitment to addressing racial equity by investing in public education, and also recognize we still have a…
Read More ...Building Youth Power Through Healing
This piece was originally published as part of KCET’s City Rising series, and is written by Dr. May Lin, close CFJ ally and researcher, and Geordee Mae Corpuz, Strategy Director with CFJ. What comes to mind when you think about what youth movements look, sound and feel like? You might envision BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People…
Read More ...Some Good News While We Wait for Results
Today, like many of you, Californians for Justice (CFJ) staff and students are feeling a wide range of emotions. We have all poured so much of ourselves into this election, amidst the pandemic, the uprisings, and so much uncertainty. And with the presidential and statewide races being too close to call, millions of votes still…
Read More ...3 Things to Keep in Mind These Final Weeks of Election 2020
Original Art by Orion Camero for Californians for Justice. Title: Learning Liberation, Artist’s Description: “What do you see when you see this painting? Inspired by relationship-centered schools, this piece speaks to the power we have as young people to nurture future generations and build the skills necessary to manifest our wildest dreams.” We have just…
Read More ...Newsom Vetoed Ethnic Studies AB 331, But We Won’t Give Up
Above: Aniyah Story, a Junior at Oakland High, studies her U.S. History textbook while distance learning at home. We are deeply disappointed to hear that Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 331 on Wednesday, which would have made Ethnic Studies a high school graduation requirement. In a year where students are facing historical challenges learning in…
Read More ...CA Youth Power Levels Up — Young People’s Task Force is Now Official!
We are excited to see the formation of the Young People’s Task Force in partnership with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On June 8th of this year, over 20 racial justice and youth organizing groups sent a letter to Governor Newsom in the wake of…
Read More ...Dear Governor Newsom, Support Investment in Black Youth & Youth of Color
Sign the petition to support Aniyah and other youth leaders! Dear Governor Newsom, My name is Aniyah Story, I’m a junior at Oakland High School and a youth leader at an organization called Californians for Justice. I’m writing this letter to ask for your continued support in investing in Black youth and other youth…
Read More ...Back To School Checklist: Student Voice & Racial Equity Data–Webinar Recording & Resources
Student Voice and Racial Equity Data are the name of the game this school year. As students and staff navigate the realities of online and distance learning, we know that centering student voice and the need to collect racial equity data are critical to success. CFJ recently launched our Equity in Action services to support…
Read More ...We’re 90 Days Out from Election Day 2020; Are You Ready?
Art by Ashley Lukashevsky for Logo TV GOTV 2018. We’re officially 3 months out from Election Day 2020! With so much at stake this November we’ve prepared a list of 3 Key Things to keep in mind as we cross the 90-day mark. This is Your Chance to Take Back Control in 2020 2020 has…
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