Dear Educators and Organizations,

We would like to invite you to participate in the Baltimore Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action from February 5th through the 11th, 2018!   This week of action will be focused on engaging youth and our communities in discussions centered on the 13 guiding principles that extend Black Lives Matter into a movement.  Each day will explore 2-3 themes with lesson plans and resources that help students think critically, listen across difference, and explore their role in creating a more just society. The principles of the Black Lives Matter Movement are inclusive and aligned with creating an ethic of caring and justice that all schools strive to achieve. In the evenings, there will be events for our communities to gather, honor the themes of the day, and share knowledge, and build community and organize for action.

We are living in a pivotal time when students and adults are grappling with fundamental issues facing our nation and our world. The Black Lives Matter movement, initially a response to police abuse, has evolved to look at systematic issues that cut to the core of both our nation’s promise and its legacy of racial injustice. These issues include increased mass incarceration, poverty, divestment from black communities, gentrification , income inequality, homophobia, unfair immigration laws, gender inequality, and poor access to healthcare. All of these injustices exist in the intersections of race, class, and gender. The Black Lives Matter movement is a powerful, non-violent peace movement that has both been honored with recognition and vilified and maligned. It is critical that we come together to support this movement and engage in discussions about racial justice to address these issues together.

What does it mean to participate?
 
By participating in the week of action, you are giving us permission to list your organization or chapter as a supporter.  Of course we want more than your name; we want your participation, knowledge, and people power. There are many ways to participate and schools and community organizations will find different ways to engage. To get some ideas for how your school and organization can get involved, see the menus of options below.