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Child Defender,
In the CDF Freedom Schools® program, we celebrate our children--we call them "scholars"--for who they are and what they bring to the table, before we ever see any performance metrics. We assure them that they are smart and powerful and that they matter from day one. We center their joy and show them what a triumph it is.
Our daily "Harambee" ritual is the best CDF Freedom Schools program demonstration of Black joy as resistance. Every morning, we join with our scholars--about 75% of whom are Black--to sing, dance, laugh, appreciate each other, and share gratitude. It shows them that their joy is our first priority every day, and it carries them into their learning from a place of love. The celebration of Black joy continues at CDF Freedom Schools sites as we read books with courageous Black characters, learn about real-life Black heroes, and discuss ways that all young people can make a difference in themselves, their families, their communities, the country, and the world with hope, education, and action.
This Giving Tuesday, spread joy. Make a gift to the Children's Defense Fund in honor of Black joy as resistance and help us celebrate and lift up our scholars for years to come.
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Seeing Black and brown children learning, singing, and dancing every day is just plain good for the soul. And we can't do it without your support.
In the spirit of thanks and joy,
Kristal Moore Clemons, Ph.D.
National Director, CDF Freedom Schools
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