About Free Minds, Free People

MISSION

Free Minds, Free People is a national conference that brings together teachers, high school and college students, researchers, parents and community-based activists/educators from across the country to build a movement to develop and promote education as a tool for liberation. We seek to develop ways of teaching and learning both in and out of school that help us to build a more just society. The conference is a space in which these groups can learn from and teach each other, sharing knowledge, experience and strategies.

The first conference took place in Chicago in 2007 and the second in Houston in 2009. The third will take place in Providence, RI from July 7-10, 2011.

Questions about the conference? Please contact us at info@freemindsfreepeople.org.

GOALS

The goals of Free Minds, Free People are to:

• Build and sustain connections between people from different backgrounds with an interest in justice-oriented education work
• Support participants in developing and deepening their practice as learners and educators committed to social justice
• Nourish justice-oriented education work in various communities, with an emphasis on the host city, by making strategic connections to collective action in other parts of the country
• Act as a catalyst for the continued development of a social movement around education for liberation
• Support and promote youth-led education and organizing efforts
• Utilize a collaborative conference planning process that elevates the leadership of students, parents, educators and activists.

WHO MAKES FREE MINDS, FREE PEOPLE HAPPEN

Lead Organizations
The lead organizations are the conveners of the conference:
The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, the Chicago Freedom School, the Education for Liberation Network, Youth In Action

National Planning Committee
The national planning committee members—teachers, youth, community activists, professors and college students—have been working together for the last year and half to organize this gathering. They are:
Curtis Acosta (Tucson High Magnet School), Rabih Ahmed (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Khadigah Alasry (MAS Youth Detroit), Jamilyn Salonga Bailey (Teachers for Social Justice, Chicago), Mariama Balde (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Adam Bush (Big Picture Company/College Unbound), Christopher Castro (Youth In Action), Keith Catone, Teddy Chao, Marlie Chatelain (Youth In Action), Marisa Chock (Brown University), Ashley Escobedo (New Urban Arts), Damien Ewens (Providence After School Alliance), Biba Fullon, Jay Gillen (Baltimore Algebra Project), Daren Graves (Simmons College), Marsha Jean-Charles, Brandy Jones (Youth In Action), Brad Kohl, Julian D. Lute (TEAMS/AmeriCorps), Tara Mack (Education for Liberation Network), Hannifah Madyun (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Shirley Odufunade (Curse Breakers Outreach Program), Bukky Olugbemi (Youth In Action), Adeola Oredola (Youth In Action), Damon Leon Packwood (Juma Ventures), Liza Pappas (The Graduate Center, CUNY), Lisa "Leigh" Patel (Boston College), Malaika Parker (Justice Matters!), Alex Poeter (Chicago Freedom School), Elana Rosenberg (Youth Pride, Inc), Jennifer Rossi (Youth In Action), Exiel Sanchez (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Cidra Sebastien (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Sam Seidel (AS220), David Stovall (University of Illinois-Chicago), Dulari Tahbildar (Providence Summerbridge), Kisa Takesue (Brown University), Paul Tavarez (New Urban Arts), Chris Tinson (TRGGR Media Group), Kerri Ullucci (Roger Williams University), Michelle Veras (Youth In Action), Susan Wilcox (The Brotherhood/Sister Sol), Heather Homonoff Woodley (The Graduate Center, CUNY and CCNY)

Sponsoring Organizations
Our wonderful sponsors have invested their money in the success of this event:
The Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University, Brown University, Community Music Works, Free Press, IDEA, The Learning Community, NYCoRE, Providence After School Alliance, Providence Summerbridge, TEAMS/Americorps, What Kids Can Do

Funders
Atlantic Philanthropies, Common Counsel Foundation, Ford Foundation, Merck Foundation, Nellie Mae Education Foundation and Rhode Island Foundation

We would also like to thank:
Michelle Duso, Ryan Gates, Bree Picower and NYCoRE.

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT FREE MINDS, FREE PEOPLE

Most amazing conference ever attended.
—Teacher, CA

Very well organized and fun! It was stimulating and very interactive. The people doing the workshops were amazing.
—High school student, IL

I will remember how the students perceive their schools and give some space for that in my classroom.
—Teacher, NM

I learned wonderful activities and met wonderful people/possibilities for collaboration that will greatly enhance our program. Thanks!
—Community-based educator/organizer, DC

For me, the participation of young people was at the top of my list. There was a lot of great grassroots, radical and transformative energy.
—University faculty, MD

The diversity! As a white woman, I was finally dialoguing with other people from very different backgrounds than mine.
—College student, IL

It was a great conference. I loved it. It was like we all had something in common and we shared our struggles and achievements. Inspiring.
—High School student, UT

The conference gave us time to think big, which is always helpful and necessary.
—Community-based educator/organizer, IL