Californians for Justice has grown greatly over the last two decades. From our start in Oakland in the late…
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Say Their Names: Nia Wilson, Frederick Taft
Our hearts and minds are heavy with the news of the latest series of violent attacks against Black women and men in our communities. On July 21, Frederick Taft was gunned down at a family reunion in Long Beach. The next day, Nia and Latifa Wilson were viciously attacked by a white supremacist in Oakland.…
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Californians for Justice winning victories for Student Voice & Relationships in districts across the state
This past school year, CFJ organizers and student leaders made real progress in the campaign to transform California public schools into Relationship Centered Schools. This framework emphasizes student voice, relationship building, and professional development for teachers and staff, making it essential to the success of Black, Brown, Asian, Native American and Pacific Islander students. By…
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On Independence Day, Black and Brown Communities are Still Not Free
As we gather with our families to celebrate the July 4th holiday, it’s important to remember there’s still a lot of work to do to ensure all our communities are truly free; free from police violence, racial injustice, forced separation and anti-immigrant policies. At Californians for Justice, we know that institutionalized family separation is not…
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Supreme Court Ruling Deals a Blow to CA Teachers, Students and Communities of Color
The Supreme Court’s ruling last week in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees dealt yet another blow to our communities. The decision means anti-worker politicians and corporations have one more weapon to silence the voices of youth and communities of color on the ground. By ruling that government workers no longer…
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Why Relationship Centered Schools Matter for LGBQ, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Students
Since coming out publicly as a lesbian two years ago, Sierra has seen how her school’s treatment of trans and gender non-conforming and LGBQ students, while better than most schools, could be vastly improved through better representation and resources for students. “When I first came out my freshmen year, I went to [a few trusted]…
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Funding for LCFF Community Engagement Initiative: A Win for Grassroots Groups Across the State
Today, Governor Brown signed the 2018-2019 California state budget, including $28.3 million set aside to strengthen Local Control Funding Formula community engagement of students and parents in districts across the state! This is a direct victory for grassroots communities and Black, Brown, Asian and Pacific Islander folks across the state. The budget win is a…
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On Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Students Call on CA Leaders to Address Racial Inequality in Schools
SACRAMENTO, CA — On May 17th, Californians for Justice (CFJ) brought 100 students and parents from across the state to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to make good on the promise of Brown v. Board of Education, on the 64th anniversary of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that mandated the desegregation of schools. CFJ held…
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Making Good on the Promise of Racial Equity for California Schools
Why do community engagement and school climate matter for low-income families of color? Why are community power and decision-making vital to transforming our education systems? California is at a crossroads in the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the most sweeping reform to school funding in the state in 40 years. Fundamental to…
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Proposed ‘One-time Funding’ Legislation Would Further Racial & Educational Equity through LCFF
Students and parents have teamed up with Assemblymember Kevin McCarty to propose legislation that would further racial and educational equity through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Assembly Bill 2820 will ensure that districts and schools have the tools to make sure students and families are engaged in improving their schools and are regularly surveyed…
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