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Dear John,

Public schools are the bedrock of a strong, multiracial democracy. We
must protect and uphold these vital institutions that shape future
generations, bring people together across diverse communities, develop
critical thinking, and create engaged citizens who strengthen our
democracy.

As students and teachers return to the classroom, public education in
the United States faces major threats which could fundamentally reshape
its future, including budget cuts to essential programs, attacks on
inclusive curriculum, and expansion of voucher programs that would
further deplete funding for public schools. These systemic challenges
require our communities to come together to fight for fully-funded
public education that serves all students.

The stakes have never been higher for our children's future.

Fortunately, our communities aren't standing by idly in the face of
these challenges. From Idaho to North Carolina, students, parents, and
educators across the country are taking action with Public School Strong
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to fight for the needs of their communities. Their local organizing
around public education is reverberating on a national scale.

Right now, Congress is considering a proposal of $12 billion in cuts to
public education, which would eliminate afterschool and summer programs,
arts and technology classes, emergency preparedness, mental health
services, and more. These potential federal budget cuts would affect
school districts across the country. For many of us, these cuts will hit
close to home. We encourage you to use this resource
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from Public School Strong partners to find out how much funding your
school district is likely to lose.

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SOURCE: Julia Taylor

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s insights in "Where Do We Go From Here"
reveal a critical link between adequately funded and equipped public
schools and the health of a multiracial democracy. He recognized that
under-resourced schools, particularly affecting communities of color,
were not coincidental but rather part of a deliberate system to
perpetuate economic inequity and limit upward mobility, thereby
undermining the very foundation of a just society.

We believe that all communities deserve fully-funded public schools that
teach the complete truth of our history, uphold the dignity of children
of all races, genders, and backgrounds, and have the resources to unlock
the full potential of every child so they are prepared to be the leaders
of tomorrow.

Are you ready to get started? Click the map on the Public School Strong
organizing platform [[link removed]]
to connect with like-minded advocates in your community through local
groups, petitions, and events. The majority of Americans support public
education, but to protect and strengthen public schools we need more of
us taking action together.

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SOURCE: Julia Taylor

To learn about Race Forward's HEAL (Honest Education, Action &
Leadership) Together [[link removed]]
program, the Public School Strong school district organizing initiative,
and our fight for education justice, sign up for HEAL Together's
newsletters [[link removed]]
and follow us on Instagram [[link removed]].

Thank you for fighting for the future our students deserve.

In solidarity,

Glenn Harris

Race Forward President

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What's New?

Strengthen Our Public Schools

Join the Public School Strong organizing meeting every Tuesday. This
monthly meeting includes updates on federal advocacy, ways to plug into
the campaign locally, and breakouts for new members to get oriented and
learn how to officially join.

Register here, and don't forget to invite a friend!

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Join our next meeting!
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How We HEAL to Win

Student organizer Shaniya Taylor of Florida Student Power, a HEAL
Together partner, shares words of wisdom to organizers trying to build
locally. Watch her video for encouragement to keep going, or get
started!

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Watch Shaniya's story
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Housing Trust Funds as a Tool for Racial Equity

Did you know there are over 750 Housing Trust Funds (HTFs) operating in
local governments across the nation? Together, they generate nearly $2
billion annually for local housing needs.

HTFs can help communities most impacted by systemic housing inequities.
Once established, these locally controlled funds support long-term
housing plans to address displacement, disinvestment, and segregation.

Our latest Housing and Land Justice brief shows best practices for
creating and running HTFs effectively. See examples of HTFs at work and
get advice on how to get started in your community.

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Learn More
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See the Full HLJ Root Solutions Series
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What's Next?

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Announcing the Cultural Week of Action 2025!

Arts and culture have always been at the heart of American identity and
progress. But as our communities fight erasure in our public
institutions, it is more important than ever that we come together to
celebrate ourselves, protect our cultures, and reclaim our narratives.

Race Forward is proud to announce the return of the Cultural Week of
Action on Race and Democracy! From Saturday, November 8, through Sunday,
November 16, communities across cities, towns, and in virtual spaces
will come alive through music, storytelling, movement, and collective
learning to bring into view the vision of a just, multicultural
democracy that serves ALL of us.

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Three Ways You Can Participate

1) – Attend our webinar, Thursday, October 2—and start a conversation

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2) – Organize your own cultural activity (and add it to our map)

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3) – Attend Just Narratives for Multiracial Solidarity, November 13-15 in St. Louis
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In this moment of backlash, it's more important than ever that we come
together in solidarity to build narratives that uplifts our vision of a
just, multiracial democracy that serves all of us.

Just Narratives attendees will attend breakout sessions organized and
curated within these tracks:

Narrative Strategies to Build Solidarity and Governing Power —Sessions
will explore frameworks, models, praxis, and real-world examples of how
strategic use of stories, messages, imagery, and the arts in a
purposeful way can increase the governing power of those most impacted
by racial inequities and shift organizations and communities toward
greater solidarity for racial justice.

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Building Narrative Power to Resist and Dismantle Authoritarianism and
Racism —Sessions will explore how we can build narrative power to
resist, block, and dismantle authoritarianism, fascism, and white
supremacy in our policies, institutions, and systems.

Strengthening and Growing the Narrative Ecosystem and Infrastructure
—Sessions will focus on how we, as a collective, can deepen, strengthen,
and grow the narrative ecosystem to advance our vision for a racially
just world. We define a narrative ecosystem as a network of connected
individuals and organizations that can share knowledge, expertise,
skills, ideas, capacities, and work to advance a narrative system across
a diversity of fronts along different timelines.

In addition to these interactive breakout sessions, attendees will hear
from our keynote speaker, Alok Vaid-Menon , an internationally acclaimed
poet, comedian, and artist whose work sits at the intersection of
creative expression and movement building.

Join us in St. Louis!
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#RaceAnd Ethics in Government — Thursday, September 18

Ethics in civil service is more than following rules—it's about
upholding principles that protect integrity, prevent abuse, and serve
the public good. In today's shifting political climate, civil servants
face new pressures that test these principles.

Join the Federal Initiative to Govern for Racial Equity (FIRE) for its
upcoming event, #RaceAnd Ethics in Government, Thursday, September 18.
Hear from former federal agency leaders as they discuss how ethics in
government must evolve to meet today's challenge, informed from their
own experiences.

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This conversation will explore:

— How government ethics can evolve to address racial equity
— Why ignoring equity creates blind spots in ethical frameworks
— The role of personal and institutional integrity in support of the
Constitution and the public

Join us September 18!
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Take Action

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We Make History Everyday

Racial justice isn't history. Racial justice is happening every day.

Shop online at our new store and choose from an array of products like
shirts, water canteens, hats, and sweaters. No matter the weather, we
make history together!

Shop Our Store Today!
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Follow us on Bluesky!

Given the current political climate and our declining engagement on
Twitter, we have made the decision to remain inactive on Twitter until
further notice.

To keep the conversation going, we encourage you to join us on Bluesky.
Be a part of an ever-growing network of racial justice advocates as we
continue to share engaging content that moves the needle to a just,
multiracial democracy.

Follow @raceforward.org
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Services for Organizations

Race Forward is committed to transformational, sustainable change for
racial justice. We provide services to help organizations develop and
advance racially equitable policies and practices.

Our services are developed and delivered by a multiracial and
multigenerational team of experts with extensive knowledge and
experience in various areas, including policy and program development,
leadership development and strategic coaching, community organizing, and
racial equity.

Learn More
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