Hi John,

Thank you for joining us at last night’s Champions of Education celebration. It was an incredible evening, one that wouldn’t have been possible without your support.

Your presence and contributions will leave a lasting impact on our mission to champion education justice across New York State. We’re inspired by your unwavering commitment to the cause!

At AQE, our driving force is the pursuit of educational equity. While we celebrated the significant achievement of full funding for New York’s public schools, we acknowledge that our work is far from complete. Disparities among regions and school districts continue to evolve, and our dedication to advocating for all students remains resolute.

During last night’s event, we emphasized the vital role of both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) funds for a grassroots organization like ours. Our 501(c)(3) funds support critical research and community engagement efforts, while our 501(c)(4) funds enable us to lobby for systemic change in the political arena, driving policy-level transformations. Your generous donations bolster our ability to make a meaningful impact on multiple fronts.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our honorees, who received well-deserved recognition for their contributions to education:

• Champions of Education Award Recipients: Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Dr. Marian Bott, Dr. John H. Jackson, & Cassie Schwerner
• Grassroots Leadership Award Recipient: Kimberly Tyre

We also want to express our thanks to our event co-chairs and host committee for the dedication and support.

As we reflect on the success of another Champions of Education celebration, we’re filled with hope and determination for the year ahead. Your support gives us the confidence to continue to drive lasting, positive change in the lives of all New York students and their families.

Once again, thank you for being a part of this extraordinary evening. We look forward to our ongoing partnership as we work together to advance education justice throughout New York State.