In the wake of alarming funding cuts to diversity and equity programs in education, the Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE) has announced an urgent “Call to Action” Virtual Convening to rally community support and action. This virtual event, scheduled for March 13, 2025, will bring together leading voices in education and civil rights to address the crisis and strategize solutions. Organizers stress that recent policy rollbacks and executive orders have stripped essential resources from initiatives supporting Black students, making this convening a critical moment to stand up for Black children’s futures.
Urgent Mission and Purpose
The “Call to Action” Virtual Convening aims to shine a spotlight on how these funding cuts are impacting Black children and to mobilize educators, parents, and allies nationwide in response. “Education is under attack, and we can’t stay silent,” says Dr. Rema Vassar, founder of CBCE. “Recent decisions to cut funding have hit the very programs that help Black children thrive. This convening is about coming together to say ‘not on our watch’ – and to channel our collective power into action and solutions.”
Attendees will hear frank discussions about the direct impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) rollbacks on Black students and educators, what these changes mean for the future of educational equity, and how communities can take collective action to protect Black children’s educational futures.
Inspiring Lineup of Speakers
Leading voices headlining the convening include:
- Judge Greg Mathis – legendary television jurist and passionate youth advocate.
- Dr. Bettina L. Love – award-winning educator and author known for her work on abolitionist teaching and educational justice.
- Angel Gregorio – Washington, D.C.-based entrepreneur, former school principal, and community champion for Black youth empowerment.
- Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony – distinguished civil rights leader and longtime Detroit NAACP president.
Each of these speakers brings a unique perspective on empowering Black children and will rally attendees to take action in their own communities. Their collective presence underscores the urgency of the moment and the importance of unified support for Black students.
Call to Action – Register and Support
CBCE urges everyone invested in educational justice to take part in this free virtual convening and support the cause. The event will take place online on March 13, 2025, with two interactive sessions addressing the challenges and solutions for Black children’s education amid these cuts. Registration is free and open to the public at CBCEconference.info (advance sign-up is required to receive the event link). In addition to attending, participants are encouraged to help sustain CBCE’s critical work by contributing a donation via the CBCE website. “We provide our programs at no cost because we never want finances to be a barrier,” Dr. Rema said. “But that means we rely on community support. Every donation – no matter the size – helps us keep fighting for our kids.”
About CBCE (Centering Black Children in Education)
Founded in 2021, CBCE is a pioneering movement dedicated to ensuring Black students thrive in school and beyond. Through free annual conferences, youth leadership programs, and professional learning initiatives, CBCE consistently provides a powerful counter-narrative to challenge systemic racism in education, with the ultimate aim of achieving liberatory education for Black children. More than just a conference, CBCE creates a space where Black students, parents, educators, and community members come together to celebrate Black excellence, identify harmful policies, and advocate for transformative change in the education system.
CBCE’s programs have become lifelines for those committed to equity in education – and with public funding under threat, community support is more crucial than ever to keep these vital initiatives going.