| Chicago Freedom School E-News |
Summer
2008
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Greetings!
This summer at CFS is full of energy, opportunity and hope. We can't wait to share all of the exciting news we have with you.
Where to begin? Right now, it is all about the 2008 Freedom Fellows. They are an incredible group of 30 youth who will certainly change the world. This summer the Fellows are taking classes that examine
compelling topics such as closing schools, disability rights, the
connection between inequality and violence, and identity politics, to
name just a few. Currently, they are constructing personal mission statements that connect what they are learning to their committment to lead. See below for the names and faces of these current and future activists. And check out vocalo.org to read their postings and hear their voices. The '08 Fellows have already made their mark.
In the past few months, CFS has been fortunate to partner with progressive organizations like the Broadway Youth Center, Women and Girls Collective Action Network, DePaul University, the Neighborhood Writing Alliance and VOCALO.org. Read more to see how these relationships are benefiting youth, adult allies and communities organizations across the city.
Finally, check out our new website! Now there is even more information about our initiatives, upcoming events and resources. Let us know what you think. Also, encourage your friends to join our mailing list!
We at CFS wish you all the best for the remaining weeks of summer. As always, we thank you for your support of our work to empower youth, fight oppression and honor the past.
In peace and solidarity,
Mia Henry
(Pictured above: 2008 Freedom Fellows in a workshop on identity and community) |
Announcing the 2008 Freedom Fellows!
The 2008 Freedom Fellowship consists of 30 youth ages 14 - 16 who commit to a full year of creating and implementing action plans that address issues important to them. This summer, these youth are taking courses in leadership development, movement strategy, socio-political consciousness and research and documentation to prepare them for their work. They also attend wellness seminars, the Movement Legacies in Chicago public programs and a 4-day retreat. Please join us for the Freedom Fellows Summer Showcase on Friday, August 8, 2008, when these young activists present their personal mission statements and everything they have learned thus far to the public.  The 2008 Freedom Fellows are:
Elizabeth Alvarado
Grace Simone Batiste
Keanna Campbell
Erick Castillo
Brandon Collier
Quinton Davis
Nadia Dawson
Karina De La Rosa
Emmanuel Garcia
Travon George
Marquinn Gibson
Sandra Gonzales
Antania Gross
Chad Omari Henderson
Jahnna Hunter
Timothy McBride
Martrell McGee
Marisela Meraz
Laura Mota
Hector Nava
Jessica Novy
Alexandra Pates
Yoselin Quirarte
Davaughn Redmond
Lornell Reid
Thaddeus Ricks
Desiree Sawyer
Shamone Shelton
Devonjah Wallace
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Celebrating the Legacy of Movement-Building in Chicago
 This summer, CFS is hosting a series of public programs that highlight the history and legacy of the civil rights movements in Chicago communities. Co-sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council, the series is entitled "Movement Legacies in Chicago" and has been a huge success so far. We began on Thursday, July 3 at the Chicago Urban League and Woodson Regional Library where we learned about the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Freedom Summer. On Friday, July 11, we traveled to the Little Village neighborhood to study the history and legacy of the Chicano movement. Over 70 youth joined CFS for this event! In conjunction with YPC and the Youth Empowerment Center, CFS celebrated the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Chicago on Friday, July 18, with youth from across the city and lifelong activist, Vernita Gray.
There is still time to join us for our last event of the series...
"History of the Disability Rights/Independent Living Movement"
Friday, August 1, 2 - 4 pm, Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave.
This program will feature a discussion about the history of Independent Living campaigns in Chicago and the work that continues today by youth involved in current campaigns.
We hope to see you there!  |
CFS Launches Anti-Oppression Trainings
Gender Identity and Anti-White Supremacy Initiative Trainings hosted in Spring
In collaboration with Women & Girls Collective Action Network (WGCAN), CFS hosted its first anti-oppression training in May 2008 on the subject of transgender and gender identity. Facilitated by the Broadway Youth Center (BYC), the training provided insight on the experiences and issues facing the transgender community as well as a larger context for gender definitions in relation to systemic structures. The training culminated in exploring what communities and organizations can do to support and include transgender issues in social justice initiatives.
Also, CFS has partnered with WGCAN and DePaul University to organize a citywide Anti-White-Supremacy Initiative. The initiative brought facilitators Amalia Anderson and Diane Finnerty to Chicago for a two-day training in May that provided a historical context for white supremacy and examined practices for interrupting white supremacy and racism. The training also offered tools to enable members of the initiative to facilitate trainings themselves. The goal of this initiative is to develop a sustainable citywide structure, which will provide ongoing trainings, help develop practices to interrupt white supremacy and racism, and create opportunities for white allies and people of color to dismantle systemic racism through collective action.
For more information about CFS trainings, contact Alex Poeter, CFS Director of Organizing, at 312.435.1201 or you can email him.
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Mavis Staples to Sing Freedom Songs for CFS!
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, December 5, 2008
7 - 10 pm
Support CFS and spend and evening with gospel and R & B recording star and civil rights activist, Mavis Staples. Ms. Staples, who recorded with her family's band, the Staples Singers, and as a solo artist is best known for the hit songs "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It again." Ms. Staples will sing freedom songs and share her life story for the CFS annual fundraiser. |
Volunteers ROCK!
Ed Onaci, Office Manager
For the past year, Ed Onaci has donated 12 hours a week of his time working as an office manager at CFS. Ed is a student, teacher, and activist dedicated to working with youth. During the year, he serves as the adult ally for the Young Women's
Action Team's Male Ally Network, whose goals include teaching young men
to be agents for ending gender violence. In the summer, Ed is the
facilitator for the Movement Legacies in Chicago public program series.
Ed will soon complete his Ph.D in history at the University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. We offer a million thanks to Ed for his countless contributions to CFS.
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CFS Teams Up with Vocalo.org and the Neighborhood Writing Alliance
Two important partners help take the Freedom Fellows to the next level.
 This year each 2008 Freedom Fellow will have profiles on WBEZ's Vocalo.org. The profiles will feature text, audio, photo and video postings about their identity and each step of their action plans. Vocalo is a community radio station, so some content may end up as part of a live broadcast at 89.5 FM! The Fellows' profiles can be accessed directly through Vocalo.org and through the Freedom Fellows page of our website.
CFS has also partnered with the Neighborhood Writing Alliance to provide opportunities to the familes of Freedom Fellows to express themselves through their own writing and performance. |
"FREE MINDS, FREE PEOPLE"
Education for Liberation Conference
Houston, TX - June 25 - 28, 2009
Save the date! The next "Free Minds, Free People" conference will take place in Houston, Texas from Thursday, June 25 to Sunday, June 28, 2009. This event will bring together nearly 500 teachers, community-based educators, academics and high school and college students from all over the country who take part in dozens of workshops, share best practices and participate in collective movement building activities. Read more here about the Education for Liberation Network and the 2007 conference.
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