February 2022 Newsletter

Message from the President

Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat

“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” – Thurgood Marshall

As we close on this last day of Black History Month, I hope that many of you have taken time to learn, reflect and share achievements, contributions, and victories of so many Black Americans who have worked tirelessly to build a better nation. Our Black heroes, many risking their lives with hope and passion in their hearts, stood as trailblazers while facing intense racial discrimination and violence. I stand here, today, on the prominent shoulders of so many Black Americans who have paved the way for me and so many others.

Black History Month has been intense, and at times, a bittersweet moment for me. With each passing year, my heart shatters as I am reminded of dark moments in our history of racial violence such as the senseless, heinous murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till or the ill-treatment and murder of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who peaceful protested for racial justice. However, a sense of hope pours over me as I reflect on the great work of inspiring legends and pioneers like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman, Thurgood Marshall, Ida B. Wells, Maya Angelou, Katherine Johnson – the list goes on.

My colleagues and fellow partners of Children’s Advocates for Change, I hope that you will join me and continue to build on the historic contributions and victories that advance us as a nation and move to a world where the color of your skin no longer matters.

House and Senate Committees in the Illinois General Assembly are taking up parts of the Governor’s proposed state budget as they head for a scheduled mid-April adjournment. Children’s Advocates for Change’s Vice-President for Policy, Mitch Lifson, has taken a look at Governor J.B. Pritzker's proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and posted a review on our website.

We are also keeping an eye on substantive bills moving through the General Assembly and have compiled a “Bill Watch” list where you can keep track of legislation impacting children and their families. You can find the list here.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass

As we continue the struggle for a better nation, we salute the Black leaders of Children’s Advocates for Change who stand committed to ensuring that all Illinois children, no matter the race, socioeconomic background, or zip code of the child, are provided the resources and opportunities they need to grow up well-educated, healthy, and safe.

Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat President and Board Member

Dr. Gwendolyn Oglesby-Odom, Board Chair-elect

Dr. Patricia Jones Blessman Board Vice-Chair

Dr. Ramona Burress

Board Secretary

Jennifer Jones

Board Treasurer

Mark Payne

Board Member

Your financial support helps propel our advocacy work. Make a donation to Children's Advocates for Change today at our website.

Join our team as a Weigle Fellow! Children's Advocates for Change is currently taking applications for a 20-week spring fellowship. You can learn more about the Helen R. Weigle Fellowship here.