Call for Volunteer Journalists, Storytellers, and other Agents of Social Change

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We are reaching out to CURRENT STUDENTS and NON STUDENTS who are interested in raising awareness about issues of concern to Black and Latina/o students in the United States to inspire programming, policy work, funding, and research on service and support best practices and gaining experience copywriting, journalism, research, and publishing.

We realize that we are living in the age of artificial intelligence. We are seeking real people to contribute their perspectives on issues affecting them, their community, and people who they care about who are currently working to navigate an altogether treacherous education system.

We have available opportunities to join our Medium team as a volunteer journalist or storyteller, focusing on shedding light on the experiences of racialized and minoritized communities with school, reading, learning, assessments, teaching, and anything related to education. By delving into these crucial narratives, we aim to paint a more comprehensive picture of the challenges faced by our most vulnerable students.

Here are ten topics that urgently require attention:

• Disproportionate Discipline: Black and Latino students often face disproportionately higher rates of disciplinary actions, perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline. Raising awareness is essential to dismantle systemic biases and advocate for fair and just disciplinary policies.

• Access to Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: Limited access to AP courses can hinder future opportunities. Highlighting this issue is crucial to ensure equitable educational access, address disparities, and foster academic success among Black and Latino students.

• Cultural Competency in Curriculum: The lack of culturally competent curriculum may lead to a disconnect between students and their educational experiences. Bringing attention to this issue is vital for creating inclusive learning environments that reflect diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

• School Funding Disparities: Discrepancies in school funding impact the quality of education provided. Drawing attention to this issue is instrumental in advocating for equitable funding to bridge the educational gap and provide all students with equal opportunities.

• English Language Learner (ELL) Support: Latino students, particularly English language learners, face unique challenges. Raising awareness about the need for enhanced ELL support is essential to ensure these students receive the assistance required to thrive academically.

• Representation in Leadership Roles: The underrepresentation of Black and Latino educators and administrators can influence school dynamics. Spotlighting this issue is crucial for promoting diversity in leadership positions, fostering positive role models, and creating an inclusive educational environment.

• Mental Health Stigma: Mental health disparities persist among Black and Latino students, often exacerbated by cultural stigma. Addressing this issue is vital to encourage open conversations, reduce stigma, and ensure adequate mental health support within educational settings.

• Tech Disparities: Access to technology is not uniform, affecting remote learning and digital literacy. Raising awareness about this issue is key to advocating for equitable access to technology and bridging the digital divide for Black and Latino students.

• Counseling Services: Limited access to counseling services can impact academic and personal development. Bringing attention to this issue is essential for advocating increased resources to provide adequate guidance and support for Black and Latino students.

• School-to-Work Transition: Disparities in access to internships and career guidance can hinder the transition from school to the workforce. Raising awareness is crucial to ensure Black and Latino students have equal opportunities for successful post-graduation paths.

You could pick one, or none of the above and start contributing today. Our process is simple. Please review below and send any questions to Dr. Drury at benjamin@chieac.org

Step One: Volunteer conceptualizes and writes article and sends to Dr. Drury for review
Step Two: Dr. Drury reviews for accuracy, bias, and length...makes edits and returns for review
Step Three: Volunteer reviews edits and/or additions and makes revisions of their own, as needed
Step Four: Volunteer returns to Dr. Drury, and the article is published within 72 hours on Medium

If you are passionate about addressing these issues and contributing to a more accurate narrative of the experiences of our most vulnerable students, we invite you to join our team. Your stories can spark change and inspire collective action. Reply to this message to express your interest, and let's amplify these important voices together.

Thank you for considering this impactful opportunity.

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www.chieac.medium.com
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