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History in the Making

In Louisville, KY

Gay Adelmann

Co-founder of Dear JCPS and Save Our Schools KY

Coalition for the People’s Agenda ~ Education Committee, Chair

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Presented to

11th International Conference on Education and Justice

Sept. 17, 2021

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About Louisville, KY

  • JCPS is the largest school district in Kentucky (nearly 100,000 students)
  • JCPS is the 29th largest school district in the country
  • More than 50% of JCPS students are non-white
  • 8% of Kentucky’s population is Black, more than 50% of Kentucky’s Black population lives in Louisville
  • Louisville, KY is the home of Breonna Taylor
  • Breonna Taylor graduated from JCPS
  • Louisville, KY is ground zero for #SayHerName, #NoKnockWarrants, #TheCrownAct
  • Louisville’s police are under a “pattern or practices” investigation by the FBI
  • Two anti-CRT bills have been prefiled for the KY General Assembly which begins in January
  • Our legislature is made up of more than 80% GOP, many of whom have allegiances to ALEC, McConnell and Trump
  • Right wing radicals, with ties to 3%ers and insurrectionists, have started storming our board meetings
  • Lawmakers have used disaster capitalism these past 18 months to restrict public access, force schools back open in person at full capacity, strip our governor of his power to save lives, and cram through harmful and predatory laws that our community’s grassroots efforts had effectively killed up until now
  • In 2022, they are positioned to twist the knife and tie up any loose ends, including passing Texas-style abortion laws, gerimandering, voter suppression, funding mechanisms for charters, vouchers, homeschool, armed police in schools, and whatever else their evil hearts can conjure up between now and then
  • WE INTEND TO MAKE SURE OUR ACCURATE HISTORY IS TOLD - #AllEyesOnKentucky

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Sept. 23, 2020

Day 119

#JusticeForBreonna

41 Days Until Election

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Current Co-Chairs:

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Tyra Walker, JCPS Teacher, JCTA Officer, Parent

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Shameka Parrish-Wright, The Bail Project, JCPS Parent

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Dre Dawson, Revolutionary Black Panther Party

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Largest and oldest racial equity grassroots group in Louisville and Kentucky.

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501(c)3 organization has signed on to the Brief.

The Kentucky Alliance

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Home of the People’s Agenda

Formed 2002 - Due to City/County Merger

Home of the People’s Agenda

Behind formation of 1st Civilian Review Board - “CAPA”

Installation of 3 Historical Markers, So Far...

501(c)4 Signed on to Brief

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Potential Local Partners and Allies

(501(c)4)

Dear JCPS (lead sponsor)

Coalition for the People’s Agenda - Education Committee

Save Our Schools KY, Fairness Campaign

Community of Reason

ACLU

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501(c)3

KY Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression

ASALH, LSURJ, NAACP, Louisville PTO,

KY Commission on Human Rights

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And growing!

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Grassroots Efforts in JCPS/Across KY...

  • Removed privatizer Board Chair
  • Kept out privatizer board challengers
  • Removed privatizer friendly Superintendent
  • Stopped State Takeover of JCPS
  • Got rid of pro-charte/anti-teacher Governor
  • Got rid of pro-charter Ed Commissioner
  • Tax Increase Passed (currently being challenged in court)
  • Stopped Charters, Vouchers (until last session)
  • $40 MM renovation in West Louisville High School
  • No armed police in our schools
  • 3 counselors for every high poverty school
  • Racial Equity Policy
  • Mask mandates
  • Vaccine mandates
  • Student Assignment Plan (COVID and tax increase put this on hold, sadly)

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“All History Matters” Campaign

  • Uses their language against them
  • Calls their bluff/shuts them up
  • Logo features diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Brief serves as underlying premise
  • 501c3 - Coloring books, decals, fundraisers, gift baskets
  • 501c4 - Organizing, actions, protests, demonstrations, lobbying
  • Starting in Louisville KY with prototypes, infrastructure, working model
  • Scalable to other districts, states, countries
  • Visit www.AllHistoryMatters.com to sign our letter of support/request partnership
  • JOIN US!

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AllHistoryMatters Websites (In Development)

  • Dot com and Dot org versions
  • About/History
  • State by State Subsections
  • Link to Brief
  • 130 Organizations Signed On
  • Sign Letter of Support
  • Logos and Lists of Cosigners/Cosponsors
  • Social Media Toolkit
  • Fundraisers
  • Resources
  • Calendar of Events/Actions
  • Ways to get involved/donate
  • Contact us

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

SHARE RESOURCES

NO NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL

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Coloring Book

  • Non-political
  • Pages filled with messages of equity, inclusion, diversity, etc.
  • Opportunity to showcase organizations and their efforts
  • Colors of the World Crayons or similar
  • Contests/Prizes
  • Fundraising and Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Logos of supporting organizations in back cover

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Fundraisers/Gift Baskets

  • Window Decals
  • Coloring Books/Crayons
  • Masks
  • Crafts/Activities
  • Themed Gift Baskets
    • Coloring Book/Crayons
    • Crafts
    • Field Trips
      • State Capitol
      • Historical Markers
      • Geocaching
    • Toys/Chewquet for dogs
    • Baby gear
  • Tshirts
  • Buttons
  • Literature
  • Wristbands
  • Gift Bags

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Other Ideas/Activities

  • “Stop the Spread” Coordinated Parent Led Days of Action
    • Campaign for “privileged white parents” to keep their kids home
    • Daily “field trip” activities (see below)
    • Count as if in class
    • Up to 10 days
  • Field Trip Examples (Excused Absence)
    • State Capitol
    • Historical Marker Tours
    • Museums
    • Geocaching/Rewards
    • Choose a site Day of Action
    • Coloring contest
    • Writing/poetry contest
  • Contests/Activities
    • Mask Decorating
    • Draw Your Self Portrait
  • Homeschool resources/supports while COVID rages on
  • Protests in Offending Lawmakers Home Districts
  • Virtual (or in person) Town Halls
  • Twitter Storms
  • YOU TELL US!

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Our Different Layers

  • The Coalition for the People’s Agenda is the political arm of the resistance, which began in 2002 by Anne Braden and members of the KY Alliance. To be kept separate from the 501(c)3.
  • We are a coalition of organizations that come together around specific issues as the need arises to support racial equity, dismantle structural racism and abolish white supremacy.
  • Dear JCPS Currently Serves as Lead Organization for the C4TPA - Education Committee (Holds 501(c)4 status)
  • Endorsements, Issues, Bills, Referenda Local and State Level, Recruit Candidates, Canvassing, Lobbying, Organizing
  • KRO is Federal PAC, when needed.

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Questions?

Contact me:

Gay Adelmann

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Dear JCPS

moderator@dearjcps.com

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Digital Promotions

gay@digitalpromotions.biz

(502) 565-8397

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Coalition Campaign website

www.allhistorymatters.com