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Introduction Page 2 Table of Contents Page 8
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Dear Freedom Project family,
As I reflect on my first year at the Freedom Project Network, I’m proud of all that we accomplished, and I’m honored to present this Lead Letter to you as evidence of our growth and the impact of your continued support.
. In 2023-2024, we’ve moved much important work forward: The unification of three Freedom Schools into one organization to steward resources and develop a coordinated strategy across our three communities. Hired women of color from Sunflower, Rosedale, and Meridian into leadership positions at each site, recognizing the importance of local representation in decision-making. Graduated our most significant class of college students through our Alumni College Success Program and the first year of ACSP alumni serving as mentors for all undergraduates.
The past year marked important shifts in building our collective power across the state and building alignment across communities about the issues our young people are facing. We developed trust between young people and staff, developed ambitious programs for youthled social transformation and developed shared practices around restorative and transformative justice, collective leadership, and teaching theory. Our programs continue to hold space for young people to build community, critically analyze their experiences, and envision the future through dialogue, artistic creation, and shared practice.
In the year ahead, we anticipate unique threats in our Mississippi communities. As we face a movement to defund our public schools, attack marginalized youth, and establish authoritarian rule, we have an urgent task ahead of us for the Freedom Projects. To confront this, our young people are building, aligning, and visioning while our staff are developing a shared analysis of these threats and strategizing how we can work together to address them and win the changes our communities deserve.
Your support moves this work forward. In 2023-2024, we raised critical funds to support our efforts, representing your love, belief in, and investment in our organization. This year, we aim to raise $250,000 to continue our growth and ask that you join us in our “sophomore season” as we continue building community and power alongside our young people in the Mississippi Delta and Meridian.
With Love, Education, Action, and Discipline,
LaToysha Brown, Executive Director
Mailed checks should be made out to The Freedom Project Network and sent to 120 Delta Avenue, Sunflower, MS
Over 150 Fellows participated in 16 programs across our three Freedom Schools
18 films, 45 poems, 3 screenprinting designs, 3 plays, 10 photoessays, 2 dance productions were created by Fellows who attended our programs
94% of Fellows say the Freedom Project helped them increase their knowledge and skills in academic subjects
91% of Fellows say the Freedom Project helped them to set goals and work to achieve them
91% of Fellows believe they are on the path to college
97% of Fellows say they will always consider themselves part of the Freedom Project family
18 Fellows completed the 23-24 Fellowship
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Fellows
16 Fellows completed the 23-24 Fellowship 26 Fellows completed Freedom Summer 2024
This year, 22 Freedom Fellows from SCFP, RFP, and MFP are enrolled in colleges across the country and are active participants. 81% of students participating in at least one full year of ACSP programming and enrolled in a four-year university earn their bachelor's degree within six years. This rate is over double the national average for low-income, first-generation students (40%) and significantly higher than the average graduation rate for even higher-income, continuing-generation students (78%). 89% of students participating in at least one full year of ACSP programming and enrolled in a community college completed their associate’s degree, and 33% successfully transferred and earned their bachelor’s degree.
Now in its third year, Little Freedom School has quickly become one of our most popular programs. Fellows in 3rd-6th grade participated in reading and math classes, designed around exploratory learning and critical pedagogy. In math class, Fellows learned how to design and experiment with math concepts to solve realworld problems. In reading class, Fellows explored topics ranging from healing justice to the Black Panther Party. At our Rosedale site, Fellows also had a chance to explore Japanese culture and learn the basics of American Sign Language!
Freedom School continues to be a foundational space for middle-school Fellows to explore the world through the arts and literacy. This summer, Fellows read books such as Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi, learned photography from current and alumni Freedom Fellows, studied dance and theater, and helped to film a documentary about the Freedom Schools! At the end of the summer, these Fellows traveled to Meridian Community College for our College Immersion Week!
Freedom Summer Collegiate relaunched this summer with five amazing courses:
Intro to Science Fiction taught by Dr. Anthony Boynton (University of Kansas)
Empowering Education taught by Katie Martz (University of Mississippi)
Food, Land, and the Environment taught by Maria Pettis (UC - Berkeley)
Psychological Theories of Race and Power taught by Lex Glaude (UC - Berkeley)
Narratives Reimagined taught by Matt Farmer (University of Memphis)
At the end of the summer, Fellows took their learning on the road, giving academic presentations during their College Immersion Week at the University of Mississippi! During their stay, fellows also hung out with PALs and current UM undergraduate mentors. Huge shout-out to Dr. Ryan Parsons and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture for hosting us on campus!
In the spring of 2024, we took our annual Spring Break Trip to Baltimore and DC. Fellows spent time with host families, toured the National Museum of American Indians, and visited Planet World and Wide Angle Youth Media. Before our trip closed, Fellows collaborated with students at the Baltimore School for the Arts, where they scripted, directed, and acted in a 3-minute film. Many, many thank yous to Beatriz Bufrahi, Peyman Motevalli-Aliabadi, Cynthia Shae, the Pickering, Moorehead, Mullins, and Quintero families for inviting us into your homes and communities, creating a wonderful experience for our Fellows. Because we envision a space where current Fellows and alumni are empowered to gather as a collective to discuss social justice issues, facilitate workshops, and bring change to their communities, Fall 2025 seminars are led by two of our Fellows, Lo’tashiana Usry and Bella Sifuentes (Creative Writing), and two of our alumni, Kaitara Baker (Theatre/Book Club) and Beyonce Russell (Dance).
My name is Lo'tashiana and I am an 11th grade Fr Fall, I co-facilitated the creative writing workshop allows us to express our thoughts I believe that ar power to transform and inspire, and I'm eager to s My dream is to attend Howard and become a vete also plan to minor in the arts because I never wan touch with my creative passions. As Ella Baker onc light and people will find the way " I hope to shine both science and art, inspiring others to find their own path
My name is Isabella and I am a 9th-grade Freedom Fellow This Fall, I co-facilitated the Creative Writing Club I enjoy CWC because it's a way to relax, relieve stress, and express your feelings without actually having to say it out loud. My goal is to graduate in the top #10 in my class, study cosmetology at Coahoma Community College, study journalism at a university, and become a journalist for the New York Times Magazine
In the spring of 2024, the SCFP reintroduced taekwondo! Fellows developed their physical and mental discipline by learning kicking and punching, blocking techniques, and the skills needed to advance to higher belts. Fellows also traveled to Dallas, TX, to visit the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. There, they explored the history of the Holocaust, learned about the 10 stages of genocide, and made connections to the ongoing struggle for justice in Palestine.
Over the summer, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer and to introduce Fellows to the local leadership in the Civil Rights movement, our middle school.
In the Creative Writing Program, Fellows focused on poetry and read the writings of Jose Olivarez. They then traveled to the Mississippi Book Festival, where they could hear him speak. In the Fall, they studied speculative fiction, particularly the work of Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin. The workshop culminated in the Mississippi Book Festival, where Fellows saw a speculative fiction panel. Fellows explored the world outside the Delta and incorporated critical thinking into their daily lives.
The SCFP introduced Leadership Club in the Fall of 2023, where Fellows learned the habits of an effective leader and public speaking skills. This semester, the focus of our leadership workshop is exploring the movements imagining a society without police or punishment In this workshop, Fellows read and discussed Anne Moody’s novel Coming of Age in Mississippi. As a culminating project, they voted to memorialize a quote from the novel in a collaborative mural created in our building. Check it out!
Fellows will read and discuss excerpts from the book No More Police and study real world examples of police conflict so that they can develop their opinions on the issue. Page 6
In the Spring of 2024, we were off to a great start in accomplishing our mission to build a healthy community through the power of liberatory education. We aimed for holistic success for all of our Fellows and strived to develop leadership that will lead them to change their lives and impact their communities. Our Fellows started Spring by reading Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, which discussed how to break the cycle of violence in our community and how to deal with anger and stress.
During our Creative Writing Workshop, Fellows wrote spoken-word pieces, which they performed at our Showcase. They used poetry as an outlet to express themselves and share a message with others. Several community members joined in with songs and poetry of their own!
During our Spring Break Trip, Fellows visited the Atlanta Housing Justice League. They heard many accounts of everyday community members fighting for tenants' rights in the Atlanta area. They were encouraged to use their voice to speak up for themselves and others in their community.
This Summer, Fellows explored The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Dance, Fitness, and Theatre workshops. The workshops were facilitated by interns from Millsaps College, local educators, and a Freedom Project alumna, Beyonce Russell! In observance of Juneteenth, we visited the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS. The Fellows met Hezekiah Watkins, the youngest Freedom Rider in history.
This Fall, we are facilitating Wellness and Conflict Resolution workshops. Our fellows are learning to apply two of the seven habits: Sharpen the Saw (self-care) and Be
Proactive. Community volunteers are joining us to share with our fellows how to be proactive in their physical, mental, and emotional health. In our Conflict Resolution workshop, fellows will create a musical to share their knowledge with family members, friends, and community members at our Fall showcase.
In May 2024, Kaitara Baker (SCFP) graduated cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.A. in Psychology! She’s now joined the staff at the Rosedale Freedom Project as an AmeriCorps VISTA member.
Armon McKenzie (RFP) graduated from Alcorn State University and Ashlie Brown (SCFP) graduated from Coahoma Community College. Congrats to both! This summer, we gathered in Sunflower for our 8th Annual Summer Summit. New and returning students shared stories and advice about the transition to college, strengthened our relationships, and got ready to start the academic year strong. We hired two new ACSP staff members, both of whom are ACSP and Freedom Project alumni! Breyanna Hooper joined the staff as the Program Coordinator for our Rosedale students and Jessikah Morton joined the Sunflower team as a call facilitator.
Special thanks to our institutional funders:
Bhatia Foundation
William and Mildred Kaplan Charitable Foundation
Live to Give Equity and Justice Fund
Manne McGregor Charitable Fund