Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

September 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM

As students head back to class, Congress is planning $12B in cuts

Hi John, This week, families are sending their kids back to school filled with excitement, and educators open their doors ready to nurture and inspire. But that hope, in the promise of a supportive and well-resourced classroom, is now under attack. The House is pushing to cut …

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

August 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM

As Black August Ends, the Fight Continues

Hi John, We began Black August in joy, gathering to line dance in Fort Greene Park, grounded in legacies of resistance that hold joy, grief, and struggle together. Black August was born behind prison walls to honor Black political prisoners and freedom fighters who chose to re…

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  Alliance for Quality Education · [email protected]

August 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM

25 Years Strong: Join Us for AQE's Anniversary Celebration

  Dear John,   AQE is marking a major milestone this year – 25 years of fighting for education justice – which we'll be celebrating at our Champions of Education gala on October 9, 2025 a…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

August 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Fight For Healthier Schools With Us This Black August

Across New York State, too many students are about to enter classrooms that become unbearably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Many schools lack access to safe drinking water, and playgrounds, often lined with asphalt, trap heat and provide little green space for …

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

August 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM

The Fight to Stay Rooted in Justice

In New York and across the country, rising rents and evictions are displacing working families, not only pushing them out of their homes but also disrupting their access to schools and child care. Black families are more likely to face mortgage denials, bear heavy rent burden…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

August 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM

Continuing the fight for education and health this Black August

Public education cannot fulfill its promise to our communities when students’ basic health needs are unmet. If the air you breathe triggers asthma, the water you drink carries lead, or your grief or long COVID symptoms go unacknowledged, school can quickly become a place of su…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

August 1, 2025 at 8:31 AM

Joy is An Act of Resistance! See You Tonight At 6PM

We are kicking off Black August with line dancing in Fort Greene Park at 6pm TONIGHT, because joy is an act of resistance – to quote poet Toi Derricotte. We gather to remember that we are in a collective struggle for our liberation that must include joy. Black August calls us …

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

July 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM

Rally Tomorrow, Action Today!

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, July 31 @ 11am in Foley Square to demand that Governor Hochul and state lawmakers tax the ultra-wealthy and pass the New York for All Act. Today marks the 60th anniversary of Medicaid, a program that has provided health coverage and peace of mind to…

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  Alliance for Quality Education · [email protected]

July 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM

Save the Date! AQE's Champions of Education Celebration

  Dear John,   Save the date! We are excited to announce that we will be celebrating AQE’s 25th anniversary at our Champions of Education annual gala on October 9, 2025 at the DCTV Fireho…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

July 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM

Trump’s Latest Cuts to Public Education

We know the news cycle has been busy these past months, and when it comes to public education, the bad news just keeps piling up. Here’s the latest: The Trump administration is holding back about $5.5 billion in education funding that Congress already approved — including hund…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

July 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM

SCOTUS Just Gave Trump the Green Light to Dismantle Public Education

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to let the Trump administration move ahead with sweeping cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. Already, more than 1,300 employees have been laid off, many from offices responsible for civil rights enforcement, student aid, and…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

July 11, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Immigrant families just lost access to Head Start, speak up now!

Our country is built on the labor, care, and contributions of immigrants, Black women, and generations of working families. Yet time and again, those same communities are targeted, underpaid, and pushed out of the systems they help sustain. This week, in honor of Black Women’s…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 11:40 PM

URGENT: Tell Your State Senators to Vote NO on the "Big Beautiful Bill"

The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is being worked on in Washington. The House passed this reconciliation bill, which is now in the Senate, with a final vote expected as early as this weekend. Despite its name, this bill is anything but beautiful. If passed, it will slash bil…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

June 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM

Stronger Communities Start With Speaking Up

Across New York, working families are navigating new realities, some with real challenges when it comes to raising children and getting them the quality child care and public education they need. We know that these systems should reflect the realities of our communities — not …

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

June 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM

Juneteenth Means Liberation for All

As an education justice organization, AQE holds the responsibility not only to advocate for every child’s right to safe, affirming care and education, but also to raise our voices in the larger struggle for justice and freedom. Our mission has always centered equity across rac…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

June 18, 2025 at 8:54 PM

We’re Listening: Take Our Survey and Join Us at Our Final Tour Stops!

As part of New York Speaks, our statewide listening tour, we’re heading to Hempstead, Long Island, this Friday for our 11th stop! We've been gathering input from communities across the state to guide our advocacy and inform our policy campaigns in the months ahead. Please take…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir Ansari · [email protected]

June 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM

Last Chance This Legislative Session to Support Child Care

The legislative session ends this Thursday (for the Senate) / and Tuesday (for the Assembly) and our state leaders still haven’t taken action to support the child care workforce. In a year where the state budget left out funding for the underpaid and understaffed child care se…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari + Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

June 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM

What’s at Stake for Public Education and Child Care in NY

  Hi John,   This year’s state budget was a missed opportunity. Despite the governor’s attempt to frame this budget as a win for families, the final outcome failed to protect New York’s children and the st…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

May 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM

This Thursday Let’s Talk About What the Budget Really Means

After more than a month of delays, New York’s state budget is now finalized, but the fight for our schools, our communities, and our collective future is far from over. Join us this Thursday, May 29 at 6:30pm, for a State Budget Mass Call where we’ll break down what made it i…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

May 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM

You’re Invited: State Budget Mass Call - May 29 @ 6:30PM

After 38 days of delay, New York’s state budget process is finally complete. But behind the numbers are real consequences for our public schools, our communities, our working families - ultimately, our future. Join us next Thursday, May 29, at 6:30pm for a State Budget Mass Ca…

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  Alliance for Quality Education · [email protected]

May 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM

Vote for your school budget today!

Hi John, Today, you have a chance to support a quality education for students in your school district. Many school districts across New York have their budgets up for a vote today. Wherever you are in New York, please get out and vote “yes" for your local school budgets to ens…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

May 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM

Tell Governor Hochul to Protect Education Standards for ALL Students

  Hi John,   Governor Hochul is preparing a deal that would weaken learning standards for thousands of New York students. Once again, she is playing politics with their education. She’s proposing changes t…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

April 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Urgent! We need to make a final push for Foundation Aid in the budget

Hi John, Late last night, Governor Hochul announced a broad budget agreement — and although there were some specifics, when it comes to the Foundation Aid formula, the details are still not clear. However, based on what we know, there's a real possibility that public schools a…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

April 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM

Last Minute Stand Needed for the Child Care Workforce Caring for Our Kids

We’re hearing a final budget deal has been reached - and once again, the budget is poised to leave the child care workforce behind. No permanent wage funding. No real plan to stabilize a system in crisis. But it’s not over yet. Legislators are still finalizing the bills that w…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

April 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM

Urge Our Leaders to Protect Public Education Funding

Governor Hochul is delaying key funding decisions for public education, and we need your help to make sure our schools and their communities get the support they need. Email your representatives now, calling on them to prioritize public education in their final budget. First o…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

April 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM

Hochul's Delays are Coming at the Expense of Our Kids

Key decisions about funding child care, education, housing, and other essential services remain unresolved, and instead of moving towards finalizing the state budget, Governor Hochul is pushing a change to election law that would benefit her politically. Email Governor Hochul …

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari & Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

April 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM

Politics are Stalling Our State Budget - Here’s What You Can Do

While families across New York wait for critical funding decisions on child care, education, housing, and other essential services, Governor Hochul is holding up the state budget process to push a political maneuver that would benefit her own reelection campaign. Email Governo…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

April 1, 2025 at 7:53 PM

The budget’s still not here… guess it’s not an April Fools’ joke!

  Hi John,   Today is our state budget’s due date, but there is no budget. The governor has sent a budget extender to the legislature to pass that to keep the state operating until Thursday. Our child care…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

March 31, 2025 at 8:33 PM

One day until the budget deadline — take 3 actions for child care today!

  Hi John,   Time is running out—we have just one day left until the budget deadline. We need to keep the pressure on state legislators to secure at least $500 million in funding for the Child Care Assista…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

March 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM

Take Action for Public Education and Child Care Funding TODAY!

This afternoon, we’re in Albany advocating for two critical issues that will shape the future of New York’s children and families. If you couldn’t join us at the state capitol today, don’t worry - you can still make a huge impact from wherever you are! School Funding - Protec…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

March 25, 2025 at 6:48 PM

NY's leaders must act NOW so families don't lose child care assistance

Thousands of families stand to lose access to child care assistance Hi John, Without additional funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP also known as child care vouchers) in this year’s state budget, thousands of families stand to lose access to child care assistan…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

March 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM

Make 3 Calls to Demand Child Care Funding for all New Yorkers

Join ESCCC’s Call Relay today - Monday, March 24. We need your help making three quick calls to New York State leadership, urging them to fund the child care workforce and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Even if the scheduled call times have passed, you can still ca…

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  Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari + Marina Marcou-O'Malley · [email protected]

March 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM

Protect Our Schools - Reject Trump’s Attacks on the Department of Education

By now, you’ve likely heard about Trump’s Executive Order to close the Department of Education. This is a direct attack on our children, our schools, and our communities, but Congress - not the president - determines which agencies remain open or are shut down. This administra…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley + Zakiyah Shaakir Ansari · [email protected]

March 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM

Tell Your Leaders to Stand Up for Child Care in the Final Budget

Right now, our state leaders hold the future of child care in their hands. Without immediate funding, many children will lose access to affordable care, and educators – the vast majority of whom are women of color – will continue to struggle in poverty. Our state’s leadership …

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley + Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari · [email protected]

March 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM

Phone Bank With Us Tomorrow For Child Care This Equal Pay Day

Tomorrow is Equal Pay Day and we need your help to make sure that child care educators are more fairly compensated across New York State. While the state Senate proposed $500 million to better support this essential workforce, the Governor’s budget proposal included $0 in inve…

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  Marina Marcou-O'Malley & Zakiyah Shaakir Ansari · [email protected]

March 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM

Time is running out to raise wages of NY's child care workforce

  Hi John,   Families and child care educators are counting on Albany to take action in this year’s budget to address the ongoing crisis in child care and provider wages—starting with raising wages for the…

See More from Marina Marcou-O'Malley & Zakiyah Shaakir Ansari