Affiliates
Being a Freedom to Choose Schools Affiliate means that you are part of a network of school leaders and advocates that are united around the mission of ensuring Black and Brown communities have access to quality education options. Options that honor our cultural identities, are responsive to the communities they serve, and equip our students and communities with the tools needed to achieve economic empowerment.
What makes this network unique is that centering Black and Brown voices is at the root of who we are. We are committed to advocating for families and communities who too often go unheard—ensuring their needs and voices are at the center of the conversation around education. Whether your interests are in amplifying your story, developing your advocacy skills, or influencing policy; we are here for you. So join today!
Choose Schools Affiliate Benefits
Engage in meaningful collective action around local, state, and national policies and legislation that impact school authorization, expansion, facilities funding, funding equity, and that expand access to quality school options. Ensure Black and Brown school communities have a seat at the table in decision-making that directly impacts them.
Educate elected leaders and the broader public on the priorities that matter to Black and Brown families and that support Black and Brown-led schools. Elevate the positive stories of impact in our communities in the media and beyond to expand their reach and influence. Demonstrate broad voter support for increased access to school options. Call on elected leaders to better represent the families they serve.
Activate your communities in calls to action that inform and engage elected leaders on the importance of, and public support for, increasing access to quality schools by and for Black and Brown communities. Two examples of past campaigns include Tell Your Story and Fight to Choose.
Join national school leaders and education partners at annual Choose Schools-hosted convenings, town halls, legislative school visits, and more to strengthen legislation and policies to support our students. Attend monthly Policy Forums and Regional Meetings to discuss pressing issues impacting our sectors, fight back against opposition to expanding access to school options, and amplify the experiences of our school communities.
Access valuable legislative and policy insights, polling data, research, workshops, resources, and expertise, to equip your school communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to be powerful advocates.
Build and nurture relationships among fellow Black and Brown leaders in spaces that allow you to connect, support one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively on the issues that matter to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose Schools Affiliates are Black and Brown-founded or led schools helping expand access to quality school options in Black and Brown communities.
There are NO fees to join Choose Schools. All Affiliates receive the benefits listed on this page.
Please email us at [email protected]. Our team will guide you through the process of becoming an Affiliate school.
Choose Schools is paving the way for quality Black and Brown-led schools to continue to succeed and grow in number so more students have access to better school options. We do this by amplifying the achievements of Black and Brown-led schools, advocating for supportive legislation and policies, and fostering strong relationships between schools, communities, and lawmakers.
Choose Schools meets with local and state elected leaders regularly to advocate for policies and legislation that impact and expand access to quality school options. We create opportunities, like the Leaders and Lawmakers series, for schools to meet with elected leaders to discuss opportunities to strengthen policies to better meet the needs of Black and Brown students.
Parents of color strongly agree they should have a choice in where their children go to school – including 63% of Hispanic parents and 70% of Black parents. Choose Schools advocates solely for the interests and needs of Black and Brown-led and operated schools because these schools have proven to be a key drive of economic empowerment and educational advancement.
Choose Schools gathers and elevates the authentic stories of Black and Brown school communities in the media, digital campaigns, calls to action, and beyond to expand their reach and influence. We also educate elected leaders and the broader public on the priorities that matter to Black and Brown families and that support Black and Brown-led schools.
Absolutely. Choose Schools creates opportunities for Affiliates to collaborate, share best practices, and exchange ideas within our national network. This collaboration enhances our collective impact and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.