Help us create a more equitable, loving world, one classroom at a time.

*This clip is a snippet of Ashley Y. Lipscomb's commencement speech at Harvard Divnity School. You can watch the full speech here.

In the spirit of the community that loved me, raised me, and held me accountable, I refuse to allow these systems of oppression to break the spirits of our children. I do not hold schools solely responsible for all of the social, political, and economic disparities that impact young people. Instead, I believe and know it takes a community to love children and radically care for them holistically. I am where I am today because my community fought for me.

Growing up in a community systemically under-resourced, I witnessed the ways multiple caring adults, both within and outside of schools, worked together to ensure I had enrichment opportunities that would open new pathways for my future. Where schooling could not meet specific needs, the youth programming at my church, the college tours hosted by the NAACP, several grassroots non-profits, and summer enrichment programs worked together to meet the needs of myself and my peers. That collective care still exists but requires continued investment to cultivate these experiences for vulnerable students today.

They deserve a multitude of people, organizations, programs, and resources investing in their future. The Institute for Anti-Racist Education, Inc. was founded by two former educators who wanted to help the schools we believe in meet all their students' needs. I’m excited that we have finally reached the point where we can provide more direct programs to young people in partnership with their communities. More specifically, my community.

This year, we are launching our first fundraising campaign to develop and sustain the types of programming that helped students like me grow up and engage in the work of supporting our communities. Will you help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 by December 31st? You can provide a financial donation, share our campaign with your networks, or suggest an organization to match our donations. Your support will help us sustain our Create Freedom Artivist Fellowship and launch our new Free Sixth Grade Summer Learning Academy. I am asking you to help support this first-generation college student turned non-profit founder to broaden the reach of our work.

Now, more than ever, we are called to make schools and classrooms more loving. We can’t wait for the world to catch up as we freedom dream it. We are asking you to support our Black women-led organization to broaden the reach of our transformative work, and help us create the world ALL children deserve!

With gratitude & appreciation,

Ashley Y. Lipscomb

Co-Founder & CEO of The Institutite for Anti-Racist Education, Inc.

Youth Learning & Development Programming Fundraiser

By The Institute for Antiracist Education, Inc.

Youth Learning & Development Programming Fundraiser