2 0 1 8 - 1 9 S c h o o l Y e a r R e p o rt / / T h e s t u d e n t s r e f o r m i n g u r b a n e d u c a t i o n n o n - p r o f i t
STUDENTS. ADVOCATES. REFORMERS.
UrbEd is one of the only student-led, studentrun non-profit organizations in the country that continues to fight tirelessly for students that enter our most underfunded and underresourced schools. This year, UrbEd engaged over 500, held our first student-driven event, tripled our operating budget, and partnered with a host of organizations to fulfill our vision of every student receiving a quality and efficient urban education. However, none of that could have happened without our dedicated team members who are all volunteers, our board of directors, and our donors who continue to support us in this everlasting work. The African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We hope that UrbEd can Tamir D. Harper
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Luke Risher
continue to be apart of the village that raises the students in the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. But, in order to do that, we need your continued support. We’re asking for your donation and/or sponsorship so we can fund our programs and stipend our team members for a fraction of their time commitment. If now isn’t a good time to financially support UrbEd, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the work that we are doing. You can be an influencer in sharing our message to reach every Philadelphian. You’re an essential part of the equation for every student in our schools to be offered a quality and efficient education regardless of what they look like and where they are from. Remember, it takes a village!
Co-Founder & Programs Director
Juwan Z. Bennett
Founding Board Chairman
Student advocates for a quality & efficient urban education. We know reforming public schools today will lead to a more just future.
UrbEd is a student-led, student-oriented organization that advocates for a quality and efficient urban education. We engage students in creating change by providing them with information, connecting with them in creative ways, empowering students to be reformers, and uplifting student voices. It all started with one, single idea. UrbEd was founded by a group of Philadelphia public school students led by Tamir Harper and Luke Risher in 2016. As students in the city of
Philadelphia, they witnessed and were affected by the inequalities that plagued schools. Those experiences and a lack of student voice in conversations motivated them to become reformers of urban education in Philadelphia. We envision students being reformers and disruptors of a system that continues to fail to provide a quality and efficient education. A quality education means that every student in the public education system receives the skills and knowledge needed to flourish in their professional and personal lives. We seek to build a student movement that works together to reform urban education.
UrbEd engaged 300+ UrbEd trained over 30 new philadelphia high school school police officers in students at our kick-off event. Philadelphia Public Schools. UrbEd brought together a plethora of organizations, over 300 students, and artists from across the city into one event highlighting student voice and the need for change in our schools. Attendees were provided great entertainment from poetry to hip-hop music, food, and opportunities to get resource from organizations that serve young Philadelphians. This event which was one of the first of its kind in Philadelphia. UrbEd saw a large increase in engagement indirectly with students, on social media channels, with other organizations, and in the impact of our voice.
UrbEd provided the first ever youth-led training to the School District of Philadelphia’s (SDP) new police officers. The training was led by two of our Philadelphia team members and provided SDP officers with new tactics to address and relate to students and an understanding of how students perceive police officers in schools.
UrbEd presented to over 20 educators from across the country at EduCon conference.
UrbEd selected the School District of Philadelphia student board members.
For the past two years, UrbEd has presented at the national education conference in Philadelphia called EduCon. EduCon is a conference that brings educators with a host of experience to learn and grow with one another. This year two high school members of our team presented a session titled, “The Future of Education: A Students Perspective,” which focused on addressing the misconceptions teachers and students see in the classroom.
UrbEd is a proud member of the selection committee for Philadelphia’s School Board Student Representative because we believe in no decision about the youth, without the youth. In 2018, the School District of Philadelphia returned to local control after over a decade of being state ran. UrbEd was the only student-led, student-run organization advocating for the disbandment of the School Reform Commission (SRC). Once the SRC was removed and the City of Philadelphia took control of the board, it was important to have student voices at the school board table. UrbEd was one of very few organizations in Philadelphia to be invited to make the requirements and interview student members of the new school board.
Horace Ryans, a Junior at Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, is UrbEd’s city director. Since joining UrbEd two years ago, Horace has found his passion and love for education, which has inspired him to work toward becoming an educator.
UrbEd accomplishabled additional, noteable advocacy & developed national partnerships Advocated to stop adding metal detectors in all high schools Presented at the Black Males Educator National Convening Launched a group of students as UE advocates (ambassadors) Hosted State of Education Roundtable with Student Voice Inc. Became a coalition member to end city tax abatements Partnered on an award-winning documentary film screening Designed advocacy-based clothing line
urbedadvocates.org info@urbedadvocatees.org @urbedadvocates In loving memory of former Board Treasurer Dante Austin.