The {People} of the Community Schools Taskforce

There is a problem in the Philadelphia area around education. Not only are the teachers and students suffering because of the strained budgets and lack of support from the government, the parents and communities are suffering because they have lost their RIGHT to a voice in what they believe is good for their neighborhoods. With help from the Community Schools Taskforce, they are breathing new life into communities and giving overlooked neighborhoods a chance to start fresh with community schools.

The Community Schools Taskforce in Philadelphia is group of individuals representing different organizations coming together to tackle the issue of helping solve the inequities of the education system through Community Schools. Not only do they take time out of their days to meet and talk about these problems, they are coming together to advocate of educational justice and community schools in Philadelphia to address the problems of systemic poverty and economic inequities in schools to empower parents, students, and educators.

Who are some of these people that are making such a difference in these areas?

 Let me introduce you to three amazing individuals that are impacting this process and bringing their unique stories to the table. 

*Side Note* 

Due to these interviews being conducted around the city, there is some background noise in the videos! I apologize for the inconvenience!

Ron Whitehorne

Retired Teacher. Current Activist. 

Ron has been in the Philadelphia area since the 70s. Starting his career as a substitute teacher while getting his Masters, he has been an influential person in the creation of the Community Schools Taskforce by assisting in laying the groundwork for the Taskforce and the role that it plays. In the video below check out who Ron is and his thoughts on where this taskforce is heading.   Meet Ron!

Kendra Brooks 

Active Parent. Parents United Employee. 

Kendra is an active parent working for Parents United to help the unheard voices of parents share their ideas and thoughts to the administration in their schools. Kendra has developed the idea of transformative parent engagement in local neighborhood schools. In the video below, Kendra tells us a little bit about herself and why she believes that parent engagement in important in communities. Meet Kendra! 

Amber Felton

Graduate from CAPA High School in Philadelphia. Media Mobilizing Project Employee. 

Amber is a perfect person that is a part of this Taskforce. Starting when she attended CAPA High School as a student, she started the Philadelphia Student Union in her school that helped the students share their ideas and voices in regards to what happens at the school. As stated in her interview, the slogan of Media Mobilizing Project is "Movements begin with the telling of untold stories." Amber has known first hand that movements start with listening to communities and helping them out by what they want and need. Meet Amber! 

These individuals that are a part of this Taskforce bring unique stories and perspectives to the table that help form what is happening with this Community Schools Initiative in Philadelphia. It is through these people, the trust that they have built in their own communities, and their courage to implement this change, that change is finally happening. 

Stay tuned for more interviews and updates about the Community Schools Taskforce.