You're Invited: AQE's Champions of Education

Hi John,

Join us for our Champions of Education fundraiser on Thursday, November 14, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the DCTV Firehouse in New York City. We would be thrilled to have you join us!

At the event, we will be honoring individuals who have dedicated their lives to ensuring every student receives a quality education. One of our distinguished honorees is the late Norm Fruchter, a dear friend of AQE and a trailblazer in the education equity movement. Born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1937, Norm completed his studies at Rutgers University in 1959 and then traveled to England on a Fulbright scholarship to teach high school.

Upon returning to the U.S., Norm became a passionate advocate for civil rights, co-founding Newark's Independence High School in 1970 to serve students who had been underserved by traditional educational pathways. This pioneering school set a powerful example for alternative and transfer schools nationwide. Norm's commitment to educational equity continued as he served on the Brooklyn District 15 Community School Board from 1983 to 1994, where he championed diverse educational practices and the creation of small public schools.

In 1994, Norm co-founded the Institute for Education and Social Policy at New York University, which played a pivotal role in the formation of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), a coalition founded by Michael Rebell, Robert Jackson, and other community leaders and advocates, including us at AQE. Norm and his wife, Heather Lewis, were founding members and served on the CFE board for many years. This advocacy effort mobilized parents to take legal action against the state for inadequate funding of schools. Their landmark victory resulted in billions in additional funding, transforming educational opportunities for countless students.

Norm’s legacy, grounded in the belief that every voice matters in shaping education policy, has inspired generations of educators and activists, including ourselves, to challenge the status quo and advocate for justice and equity across our most marginalized communities.

Join us in honoring Norm Fruchter’s legacy and all our esteemed honorees for their long and impactful commitments to educational equity. Together, let’s recognize their vital contributions and the enduring change they continue to foster across our education system. Your support is essential as we advance this important work, and we invite you to engage with us by learning more, participating actively, and contributing in whatever way you can.

In solidarity,