IECF recently held its first Education Equity Summit in partnership with the Youth Mentoring Action Network and Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (C.O.P.E). This event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to learn from leading education researchers and practitioners who are redefining effective teaching and learning. We are still energized by the summit, which was a powerful gathering showcasing the transformative potential of education rooted in community wisdom.
Our youth speakers showed us what happens when young people are recognized not as recipients of education but as moral compasses and visionaries. The wisdom shared by Black feminist educators exemplified education as freedom in both theory and practice, providing tools and honest discussions about how to help us think critically as partners with students from all walks of life.
“For us, this convening represents IECF entering ‘the chat’ and starting to convene around education equity here in the region,” said Dr. Torie Weiston-Serdan, Education Equity Officer at IECF. “We’re also excited that this work is being supported by the Gates Foundation as they’ve really dedicated themselves to helping improve education in the Inland Empire. We’re happy to be walking alongside and collaborating with them.”
As a follow-up, IECF will begin convening educational partners to build an ecosystem of educational transformation in our region by centering youth voices. We’re committed to increasing resources that will truly respond to and support IE youth through every stage of their educational journey.
In the coming months, we will issue a comprehensive report compiling our learnings from education freedom dreaming sessions with over 350 youth across the region. This report will include a strategy we’ve developed based directly on what young people have told us they need and want from their educational experiences.
This summit wasn’t the end but a beginning. We intend to carry this energy forward, knowing the real work continues now.
Enjoy this video recap of the day, and join us in our efforts!
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