ACA 7 Passes the California Legislature
We are excited to share that ACA 7 (Jackson), also known as the Closing the Student Opportunity and Achievement Gap Act, has officially passed the California Legislature and is set to appear on the 2028 ballot! Californians for Justice (CFJ) celebrates the passage of ACA 7, a legislative priority for us over the past two…
Celebrating 25 Years of SYLA Across California
Each year, Californians for Justice offices across the state transform into the Summer Youth Leadership Academy (SYLA). This intensive 5-week program focuses on political education, public speaking, organizing tactics, and campaign work. What started as neighborhood canvassing and local word-of-mouth recruitment in our Bay Area regions has expanded greatly. Today, SYLA spans four regions across…
Fresno team organizes to address students’ mental health crisis
The Californians for Justice team in Fresno organized a Student Wellness Fair on May 15th at Farber Educational Campus. The event, sponsored by local community organizations Chicano Youth Center and Maarte, focused on fostering connection and ensuring our students and communities have access to wellness resources offered in Fresno. The Fresno team, including youth, organizers,…
Newsom’s 2025-26 Budget Proposal Keeps Promise to Support All California Students
California’s 2025 proposed budget just dropped! On Friday, January 10th, Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2025-26 State Budget, which determines how much the state will fund everything that keeps California running. This year’s budget comes at a critical time for California. Our Southern California community is devastated by a series of fires, bringing unimaginable…
Key Ed Justice Issues to Watch This Fall
As we head deeper into the new school year it’s important to stay on top of the many issues impacting our public school students and families. To help you better navigate the shifting education justice landscape we’ve put together a roundup of some key issues to watch this fall. 1. Updates on State Policies Impacting…
🙌 Finally! Oakland Teens To Vote This November
It’s been four years since Oakland teens led their community to secure a historic expansion of voting rights with Measure QQ. Now, the adults in charge have finally got it together and all systems are a go for 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland to vote in the Oakland Unified School Board elections this November. “I’m…
Two New Co-EDs Join Executive Trio at CFJ!
Welcome New Co-EDs Jessica & Jessenia! Join us in welcoming our newest Co-Executive Directors Jessenia Reyes and Jessica Black! Together with CFJ’s current Co-Executive Director Mauro Sifuentes, Jessenia and Jessica will lead the organization as we expand our youth leadership model and transform schools across the state. “As the board of CFJ, we recognize the…
$4 Billion+ for CA Community Schools
We’ve made it through another budget cycle – whew! Despite this tough budget year, we are energized by the collective advocacy of education justice partners fighting to protect programs that support Black and brown youth and their communities across the state. One of Californians for Justice’s big budget priorities was making sure community schools funding…
Calling all Allies! CFJ Needs Your Support
What’s going down? Black and brown youth are the leaders we need to create schools rooted in racial justice and liberation. This vision guides our work and relationships at Californians for Justice. But right now, those values and vision for CA public schools are under attack. For the last few months we have been the…