Freedom Scholars Learning Center Joins National Day of Social Action to Champion K-12 Public Education and Cultural Relevance in Curriculum

Rochester, NY — On Wednesday, July 23, at 9:00am, scholars and community members from Freedom Scholars Learning Center, Inc. (FSLC) will gather in downtown Rochester at City Hall to lead a powerful demonstration as part of the 2025 National Day of Social Action (NSDA). The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s Rochester event is themed “Public Education I Public Good: The Power of Culturally Responsive Curriculum." FSLC is partnering with the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Program to advocate for policies that uplift K-12 public education, highlight its impact, and push for necessary reforms and investments at the local, state, and national levels.

To bring this vision to life, FSLC will lead three dynamic, community-driven activities designed to illustrate why culturally responsive curriculum is essential to a high-quality and effective K-12 public education system:

1. "Public Education is a Public Good” March and Rally

FSLC scholars, families, and community members will participate in a march and rally that includes opportunities for youth to speak, perform, and lead chants. Participants will highlight the importance of access to high-quality public education and how culturally responsive curriculum can help students thrive academically and socially. The event will feature original student work, including poetry, songs, and speeches focused on the themes of self-discovery, banned books, and educational access.

2. Gallery Walk and Talk: Visions of the Future

Students will reflect on how current educational investments and culturally responsive teaching shape their futures. They will create artwork imagining their future selves in chosen careers, incorporating visual elements that reference their educational experiences. The exhibit will be displayed as a gallery walk, offering a creative and personal take on the value of public education.

3. Student-Written Op-Eds for Public Awareness

FSLC’s Level III scholars will write opinion pieces (op-eds) that highlight the importance of culturally responsive curriculum and the need for sustained investment in public education. Community members will be invited to learn about the power of op-eds and collaborate with students in writing and peer review. Final pieces will be submitted to local newspapers and media outlets for publication.

Why This Campaign Matters:

Public education is one of the most effective tools for social mobility and civic engagement. Yet, challenges remain:

● The U.S. ranks 3rd in per-pupil spending among 40 OECD countries, yet disparities remain due to inconsistent state-level funding.

● The U.S. spends 2.7 times more (per person) on incarceration than on education.

● Thirteen states lack civics education requirements, and only seven require a full year of civics or government instruction.

● Despite several court decisions protecting access to education, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly guarantee the right to education.

About Freedom Scholars Learning Center (FSLC):

FSLC works alongside children and families from communities under systemic pressures to build academic, social, cultural, economic, and environmental literacies and legacies; challenge societal oppression; support pathways to school and life success; and become part of the resistance and change. FSLC builds on the solid foundation of the former Freedom School’s experiences, which were developed through years of serving the families and youth in Rochester neighborhoods. Learn more about FSLC.