| Chicago Freedom School E-News |
DECEMBER
2007
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Greetings!
This month is a bittersweet one for us at the Chicago Freedom School. We are happy to end the year on a high note, celebrating the accomplishments of our first class of Freedom Fellows , the opening of the CFS Center for Social Change and the launch of our year-round programming.
However, we are sad to say goodbye to the CFS Associate Director, Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez. In January, Stephanie will begin work as a case manager for the Broadway Youth Center and continue as part of the cast of Teatro Luna's "Machos." We thank Stephanie for all of her hard work this year and wish her the best as she pursues her interests in performing arts and health-related direct service.
We also extend immense gratitude to two outgoing board members, Melissa Spatz and Alex Poeter. As founding steering committee members, Melissa and Alex were invaluable to the establishment of CFS. Yet, we are lucky to keep both in the CFS family in different capacities. Melissa will continue in her role as volunteer chair of Communiversity planning committee. And on January 2, Alex will begin on the CFS staff as Director of Organizing. We look forward to continued work with both Melissa and Alex in 2008 and beyond.
Best wishes to you all for a safe and happy holiday season.
In peace and solidarity,
Mia Henry
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Join Us for a Youth Workshop on Saturday, January 26
This program is for youth ages 14 - 25. This event is FREE but regisration is REQUIRED.
Call 312.435.1201 or email mhenry@chicagofreedomschool.org by Wednesday, January 23.
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Freedom Fellow Spotlight:
Erin Randle
Erin Randle is a sophomore at Julian High School. As a 2007 Freedom Fellow, Erin participated in the visual arts and performing arts summer institutes where she studied painting, photography as well as performed her own poetry and performed in several acts of Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls... Since the summer, Erin has begun to study the art of photography formally. She is interested in how she can use photography to document injustice and resistance.
Erin and her family attended the Jena 6 Rally in Washington D.C. for on November 16. Erin brought back some FANTASTIC shots she took at the march. They are currently on display at the CFS Center.
CFS is proud of Erin, a future photojournalist for justice!
Pictured above: Erin with her photos from the Jena 6 march in Washington D.C. |
CFS Holds First Open Mic for Justice
A Little Snow Doesn't Stop the Youth Leadership Council!
The first open mic was held at new CFS Center for Social Change on Saturday, December 15. Many new and familiar faces shared poems, songs, and good vibes in our space. The Youth Leadership Committee led this project as a recruitment effort for the Freedom Fellowship Year and as an opportunity for young Chicago activists to have a place to meet and share original work. Look for the next open mic in late winter or early spring, and bring your friends!
Pictured: Avi'Yam Jordan (A.J.)
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Celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with CFS!
All are welcome to join us on Monday, January 21 to celebrate King Day. The program will feature a screening of the film "Citizen King" which documents the last five years of Dr. King's work (post-"I Have a Dream"). The film will be followed with a discussion about issues King felt most passionately about before his death - economic inequality and the ethics of war.
DATE: Monday, January 21, 2008
TIME: 11am - 3 pm
PLACE: CFS Center for Social Change, 719 S. State St., Ste. 3N
RSVP: info@chicagofreedomschool.org
FREE and open to the public.
Lunch will be served.
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Eyes on the Prize II Series begins in January 17, 2008
Episodes 7 - 14 to be screened at the CFS Center for Social Change
 Many have seen the first six episodes of this acclaimed documentary, but since they were rarely broadcast on PBS stations, few people have seen the final eight episodes. Join CFS as we screen these episodes, three of which feature Chicago, and host scholars, activists and youth in an intergenerational discussion on topics such as justice in housing, economics and politics. The series will run on Thursdays from January 17 - March 6, 2008. EPISODE 7: The Time Has Come
JANUARY 17, 5:30 - 7:30
Malcolm X takes a nationalism message to urban streets. Stokely Carmichael and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) move from "Freedom Now" to "Black Power."
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We will miss you, Stephanie! |
Notices
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Please note that the "Strange Fruit: History and Legacy of Lynching" workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, January 12 has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 16. More details next month.
We are currently changing our webhosting company. Please call 312.435.1201 if you have trouble emailing us or accessing our website in December.
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Support the Chicago Freedom School
Please consider the Chicago Freedom School as one of your priorities for charitable giving. You may donate onine now or mail in your contribution. Please see our CONTRIBUTE page for more details. Your contributions are fully tax deductible under the internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) code. Thank you for your support!
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OUR MISSION
The
Chicago Freedom School provides a space where young people and adult
allies can exchange ideas, build new coalitions, study the work of past
movements and deepen their understanding of current social problems.
We support new generations of critical and independent thinking young
people who use their unique experiences and power to create a just
world.
La
Escuela de Libertad de Chicago provee un espacio donde jovenes y
adultos aliad@s pueden intercambiar ideas, construir nuevos
coaliciones, estudiar el trabajo de movimientos pasados y profundizar
su comprension de actuales problemas sociales. Apoyamos nuevas
generaciones de jovenes criticos que piensan independientamente y que
usen sus experiencias unicas y poder para crear un mundo justo. |
CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL
719 S. State St
Suite 3N
Chicago, IL 60605
phone: 312.435.1201
fax: 312.435.1203
info@chicagofreedomschool.org
www.chicagofreedomschool.org
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