Building Stronger Futures: Community Conversations on Education in Baltimore
Building Stronger Futures: Community Conversations on Education in Baltimore
On January 22, 2025, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) organized a significant event known as the CEO Community Conversation alongside Dr. Sonja Santelises, the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). This gathering was held at the Baltimore Unity Hall and brought together a diverse group of community members, youth, and local leaders. The aim was to foster productive discussions aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for Baltimore's youth. Notably, 75% of attendees reported feeling invigorated by the event, leaving with new connections and insights.
During the conversation, Dr. Santelises articulated several key initiatives BCPS is implementing to promote equity in education. Addressing the disparities in access to culturally relevant curriculum, she underscored the significance of having a diverse representation among educators and increasing behavioral and mental health support for marginalized populations, particularly Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ students.
"One of the things that I believe in passionately is young people. All students deserve for schools to be more than just, 'I went to my math class today,'" Dr. Santelises emphasized. "I believe in developing and growing whole young people. When you are whole, it means you have opportunities to discover your own talents—yes, in the classroom, but outside of the classrooms as well."
The discussion featured a dynamic Q&A segment where BCYF President Alysia Lee directed questions that highlighted the core challenges facing BCPS. Key topics included:
- - Culturally Relevant Curriculum: Dr. Santelises presented strategies to ensure that every student, especially Latino and Black youth, can access an inclusive curriculum that reflects their backgrounds.
- - Mental Health and Behavioral Support: Attendees explored how BCPS plans to expand mental health services and allocate funds to underserved youth.
- - Community Partnerships: The event spotlighted efforts to simplify procurement and payment systems to facilitate collaboration with smaller nonprofits, easing their participation in educational programs.
- - Teacher Retention and Development: Discussion centered on new pathways for career growth among educators and proactive measures to combat burnout within the teaching workforce.
- - Representation in Staff and Leadership: Plans to enhance diversity within educational faculty were addressed, focusing on mirroring the diverse makeup of the student body.
Dr. Santelises also noted the critical role of Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs, advocating for partnerships with organizations that provide arts and vocational training to enrich student engagement and prepare them for future careers.
“When it comes to investing in our youth, it’s about more than just placing dollars into the community; while financial support is essential, we must also invest in relationships, collaboration, and actionable strategies that create lasting change,” stated Alysia Lee. “We need to ensure that young people have access to mentorship, community-driven support, and essential resources for their academic and personal growth. This event highlighted the power of partnership in achieving sustainable impact."
A participant poignantly remarked, "I truly believe the solutions we need are in this room. It’s conversations like these that lead to meaningful action. Everyone has a role to play, from educators to local organizations, in creating a supportive environment for our children."
The event concluded with a complimentary dinner, allowing attendees to continue networking and exploring potential collaboration avenues for improving educational outcomes.
For further information on the BCYF and their upcoming initiatives, please visit bcyfund.org.
About the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund
The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund was established in 2015, initiated by former City Council President Bernard "Jack" C. Young following the unrest that followed Freddie Gray's death, which underscored existing inequities in public funding for Black communities. Funded by residents’ tax contributions, BCYF has allocated over $31 million since 2020 to enhance programs dedicated to Baltimore's youth.
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