Dear John,

Last night we celebrated 25 years of fighting for justice in New York – and, wow, we’re still feeling the energy!

Our Champions of Education Gala at NYC’s DCTV brought together so many who have made AQE what it is today. From our founders and former Executive Directors to board members, parent leaders, coalition partners, and elected officials who’ve stood with us in this fight. It felt like both a reunion and a much-needed recharge!

We laughed, we teared up (a little!), and we heard powerful words from friends of AQE who reminded us over and over just how far we’ve come and how much more we can do when we move in community.

The Resistance Revival Chorus filled the room with their voices (yes, that’s Zakiyah singing up top!) and Stephanie Pacheco, the National Youth Poet Laureate, spoke truth to power (and the room felt it!) as she reflected on the real impacts of criminalization in our schools.

We’re so grateful to every person who showed up and for every one of you who has stood with us at various points across these 25 years. Whether you’ve been organizing with us from the beginning or just joined our list this past month, you’re part of a justice movement that’s made real change possible across New York.

If you couldn’t make it last night, you still have a chance to support us through a donation or buying merch. And, more importantly, we’d still love to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to fill out our New York Speaks Survey. Your voice in surveys like this helps shape the work we do and it’s how we make sure our advocacy reflects the real needs of communities like yours.

Here’s to the 25 years now behind us and the fight still ahead!