PRESS CONTACT: Katie Smith, Director of Communications, Advancement Project California, 323.997.2194

WHAT: This event is a 30-minute briefing by LA Unified students and parents who plan to share their untold stories. Local advocates will speak on the newly released “The Racial Justice Equity Recovery Plan,” which centers the voices of communities — especially students and those hardest hit by the pandemic. The plan recommends doubling investment in our highest-need schools using the SENI (Student Equity Need Index) and creating an Office of Equity to build critical infrastructure and capacity in achieving those aims and provides distance learning recommendations and programs to address the “lost year” learning gap that the digital divide exacerbated.

Student leaders demand to be heard by district decision-makers and that LAUSD address the urgent need to resolve community concerns and narrow growing opportunity and achievement gaps.

WHO: The Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids, a coalition led by Advancement Project California, Community Coalition, InnerCity Struggle, and the Partnership for LA Schools.

• Frank Godinez, Senior at Santee High School
• Kamiah Guy, Senior at Crenshaw High School 
• Isis Mejia, Senior at Wilson High School and InnerCity Struggle Youth Leader
• Maria Ruiz, LAUSD Parent, and InnerCity Struggle Community Leader 
• Maria Brenes, Executive Director, InnerCity Struggle
• Aurea Montes-Rodriguez, Executive Vice President, Community Coalition
• Karla Pleitez Howell, Chief of Policy and Programs, Advancement Project California

WHEN: April 26, 2021, at 4:00 PM

WHERE: 333 So. Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles 90017

Broadcasters can expect to see students speaking in person, along with leaders from each organization for the Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids, while being socially distant from each other. There will be Spanish and English speakers available for interviews. 

REQUEST: Please let us know if you plan to attend and would like to receive a copy of the Racial Equity Recovery Plan and our “SENI” (Student Equity Need Index) fact sheet by contacting Katie Smith at ksmith@advanceproj.org or 323.997.2194. 

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About the Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids:

There have always been winners and losers, with our low-income students of color getting the short end of the stick. The Equity Alliance for LA’s Kids is looking to fix that problem. www.laequityalliance.org/

About Advancement Project California:

Advancement Project is a next-generation, multiracial civil rights organization. In California, the organization champions the struggle for greater equity and opportunity for all, fostering upward mobility in communities most impacted by economic and racial injustice. Advancement Project California builds alliances and trust, uses data-driven policy solutions, creates innovative tools, and works alongside communities to ignite social transformation. For more information, visit advancementprojectca.org. On Twitter @AP_California.

About Community Coalition:

For nearly 30 years, Community Coalition has provided a hub to elevate South LA’s voice and empower residents to take control over the future of their neighborhood. Community Coalition works with residents to build a prosperous and healthy South LA with safe neighborhoods, quality schools, a strong social safety net. The coalition continues to work on positive economic development that reduces crime, poverty, and substance abuse in South LA through resident organizing, direct advocacy, and community support services. Visit cocosouthla.org to learn more.

About InnerCity Struggle:

InnerCity Struggle has worked with youth and community residents since 1994 to promote safe, healthy, and non-violent communities in the Eastside. We organize youth and families in Boyle Heights, unincorporated East Los Angeles, El Sereno, and Lincoln Heights to work together for social and educational justice. InnerCity Struggle provides positive after-school programs for students to become involved in supporting our schools to succeed. We have empowered students to reach their family’s dream of college. The work of InnerCity Struggle demonstrates that youth and parents working together are a powerful force for improving their communities and making real change. Visit innercitystruggle.org to learn more.

About the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools: Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-District partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 14,200 students across 19 LA Unified schools in Watts, Boyle Heights, and South Los Angeles. The Partnership works within the Los Angeles Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff. Visit partnershipla.org to learn more.