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Advancement Project National Office recognizes the fact that youth have consistently led and been part of social movements, pushing the needle on civil and human rights issues, Black liberation, and so much more.

As we think about Black Futures during Black History Month, we must ensure that young people – particularly Black and Brown youth – feel empowered to lift up their voices and thrive. Not sure what that might look like? We have some ideas:

• Let youth lead. Young people are well versed in the day-to-day issues that they face, from unhealthy school environments to being criminalized in their places of learning. We can play the biggest role in supporting young people by maintaining that they are at the forefront of their own movements, advocating for their own needs. They know better than anyone exactly what is required for their success. Read more about our partner organizations here and check out the work they’re doing.Let youth lead. Young people are well versed in the day-to-day issues that they face, from unhealthy school environments to being criminalized in their places of learning. We can play the biggest role in supporting young people by maintaining that they are at the forefront of their own movements, advocating for their own needs. They know better than anyone exactly what is required for their success. Read more about our partner organizations here and check out the work they’re doing.

• Demand #PoliceFreeSchools. Police in schools are an issue of American racial disparities that requires deep structural change. For decades, young people, parents and advocates have been on the frontlines to end the school-to-prison pipeline and the criminalization of students of color in the classroom. Safety does not exist when Black and Brown young people are forced to interact with a system of policing that views them as a threat. A huge step toward creating healthy futures for Black youth requires the removal of police in our young people’s schools. To join the campaign for #PoliceFreeSchools, click here.

• Vote. Maybe it seems simple. Maybe it seems obvious. Maybe it seems like a waste of time. The fact of the matter is that the voting rights of Black and Brown communities are still under attack. Sure, every election is framed as, “the most important election of our lives,” and as Black people in this country, it is true every time. Participating in local school board elections is one way to help advance youth movements and support healthy futures for Black youth. Caring about and having a say in where funding goes, and voting school board officials into office who can help to amplify the voices of young people is a huge step forward. And let’s not forget to urge young people, even the 17- and 18-year-old students in high school, to register and prepare to vote. It takes a village.

A huge part of our forward progress hinges on ensuring that Black and Brown youth have room grow, thrive and live #FreeAndSafe. For more information on the work that Advancement Project National Office is doing to support the futures of Black and Brown young people, visit our microsite: [link removed].



In Solidarity,

Advancement Project National Office Team
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