Student Voice: The Heart of Radical Transformation
By Asher Ki Decades ago, student voice was a concept very few had the luxury of understanding. The idea that youth are illustrators of change and contributors to the education systems’ transformation was dismissed and purposely overlooked by adults who thought power rested solely in their hands. Organizations like Californians For Justice firmly believe transformation…
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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…
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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…
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26 Moments From 26 Years of CFJ
Since our founding in 1996, generations of young leaders have been making countless memories while being on the forefront of change in our communities and in the future of California schools! To celebrate 26 years of movement building, leadership development, and youth empowerment, we’ve compiled a list of 26 of our favorite CFJ moments to…
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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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New Case Study Shows the Power of Student Voice to Transform Our Schools
We’re excited to share key findings from a case study released by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools showcasing the lasting impact student voice engagement has in our schools. The new report “Nothing About Us Without Us” examines the last decade of CFJ’s work organizing with student leaders in the East Side Union…
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20 Years of Summer Youth Leadership Academy!
Cue the air horns! Sound the drums! From the humble roots of backyard BBQs, neighborhood canvassing, and word of mouth recruitment in our Bay Area regions, the CFJ Summer Youth Leadership Academy is now in four cities across California. On this 20th anniversary year, we celebrated with our largest SYLA class ever with 69 students!!…
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CFJ Featured in National Media Series on Youth Organizing in the U.S.
Young people throughout history have come together to radically transform culture, policies, and the faces of politics. Californians for Justice is honored to be featured in an incredibly important issue series. With 25 years of organizing history and experience in California at our backs, long-time CFJ organizers and leaders, Saa’un Bell and Geordee Mae Corpuz…
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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…
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