The Center for Racial Justice in Education’s mission is to train and empower educators to dismantle patterns of racism and injustice in our schools and communities. At CRJE, we envision a world where all young people learn and thrive in racially equitable, liberating, and empowering educational spaces.

Core Values

These values are the foundation of who we are, what we do, and how we do our work:

  • Racial Justice
  • Collective Liberation
  • Community
  • Centering and Uplifting People of Color
  • Transformation

Racial Justice

Racial justice is our guiding principle for a world in which white supremacy is abolished, and all systems of oppression are dismantled. This world provides access, resources, safety and power to all People of Color, who have been historically disenfranchised due to systemic racism. Racial justice demands for the creation of new institutions and relationships that honor the humanity and liberation of all peoples.

Collective Liberation

Collective liberation acknowledges that multiple oppressions exist, and that we work in solidarity to undo oppression in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our institutions, in order to achieve a world that is truly free. We work collectively because we recognize that each of us has a stake in ending white supremacy and all related systems of oppression. Collective liberation requires that we center the voices and lived experiences of those who have been most marginalized. Collective liberation is found in community and relationship building, and in the sharing of our stories, including our sorrow and our joy. Collective liberation depends on our communities to build shared power and accountability that foster a just and transformed world.

Community

We believe that the work of racial justice is an active process, and can only occur in partnership with other people, through accountable, equitable, and inclusive relationships. We commit to building communities that are grounded in fierce solidarity and courageous vulnerability, and that acknowledge our individual and collective power. We are bold in our dialogue, authentic in our connection, and unapologetic in our love for humanity as we create community while dismantling white supremacy.

Centering and Uplifting People of Color

We honor the diverse experiences, traditions, cultures, intellect, and voices of the global majority, People of Color. We honor the lives of People of Color. We call for the stories, leadership, and collective power of Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous peoples to be uplifted and centered in our journey towards racial justice and healing. We call for the eradication of anti-Blackness in our policies, practices, and belief systems and in our society. And we call for the collective liberation of all Peoples of Color, now.

Transformation

Transformation is the daily and ongoing cycle of learning, unlearning, shedding, and growing that emerges into the creation of new and radical possibilities. Transformation requires courage, intention and community in order to imagine a new and liberated future as distinct from our past. It wants us as individuals, institutions, and societies to hold the mirror to ourselves, reveal what systems of oppression have hidden from our consciousness, and envision a world where freedom, justice, and liberation are possible. We are relentless in transforming our society into one fueled by love and justice.