Executive Summary

The MLKJFC's long-standing work in California’s East Bay Area has helped thousands of underrepresented young adults ground themselves in the self-confidence and power that comes from using their voices to struggle against inequities and advocate for social change. Relationships are cultivated with school personnel to nominate marginalized students at targeted schools with the highest proportion of low-income and BIPOC students from Alameda and Yolo Counties. Students are 36% African American, 29% Latinx, 14% Asian, 9% other/BIPOC, 86% low-income, and 15% immigrant. Programming features twice weekly peer-coaching Democracy Education classes, residential leadership academies (8 weeks each year), public speaking in civic venues of importance, civic engagement activities, voter education efforts, cultural leadership exchanges, and face-to-face meetings with local community, tribal, regional and national leaders. All programs amplify student voices by developing students' self-esteem in reading, writing and listening skills and by exploring the roots and systemic causes of inequities. Students become more politically astute and engaged as they are transformed into skilled, confident, thoughtful leaders. As students engage in organized study and civic action coupled with peer-leadership coaching, their self-transformation impacts family, school and community life. The MLKJFC envisions stronger communities where historically disenfranchised intergenerational community leaders have the tools to improve their well-being. The work contributes generations of thoughtful, visionary young leaders who appreciate the power of collaboration, and whose voices work to advance the greater good -- young people who are capable of confronting racial and socio-economic disparities that affect their daily lives.

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