TeenSHARP Students for Racial Justice Summit 2021

Around this time last year, social media was buzzing as students in Delaware and across the country were collecting stories about the racism and injustice they experienced in their schools.

In the wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s murders, there was substantial pressure to reform the criminal justice system. With students protesting, posting, and telling their stories, there was now a great spotlight on the urgent reforms needed in the education system as well.

A year later, we can see so many examples of the power of students raising their voices and making demands of the school system.

TeenSHARP students were key leaders in the push for House Bill 198 (which was signed into law and requires each school district and charter school to establish and implement a curriculum on Black History for students in grades K through 12). Another group of TeenSHARP students pushed their district to be more transparent about the “college prep” courses in schools that often leave students not ready for college. Other TeenSHARPies were able to get their schools and districts to make other major changes to better support students of color.

While these successes represent progress, there is still so much more work to be done.

TeenSHARP is hosting its first “Students for Racial Justice Summit” from Monday August 16th to Friday August 20th to prepare high school and college students to continue to lead efforts to ensure their education institutions are equitable and inclusive.

The virtual summit will bring together high school and college students for a week-long leadership bootcamp that will empower them to make their voices heard in the education system and mobilize their peers.

The interactive sessions will be held from 9am to 5pm during each day.

Students will have an opportunity to build connections with like-minded peers, meet education and racial justice movement local and national leaders, and learn skills that will help them become more effective change agents.

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS CAN APPLY NOW (Deadline August 6th)

Students for Racial Justice Summit Agenda

Day 1: The power of community, your voice, and movement building

Day 2: Making your voice louder through the media

Day 3: The Movement Will Not Be Temporary (Community Organizing 101)

Day 4: What’s possible with sustained movements?

Day 5: Leadership and self-care for the long-haul