Dear Friends & Partners:

For more than a week, we have witnessed a powerful outcry against injustice and systemic racism. Restore Education stands in solidarity with those facing the issue head on in the United States and around the world, because Black Lives Matter.  

With the deepest sincerity, we acknowledge the shared pain, anguish, anger, and grief, and extend our unwavering support. We grieve the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, the many others who came before them, and the unnamed victims of racial injustice. In this moment, we aim to lift up the voices of the Black community—We see your exhaustion, and we wholeheartedly take on the fight for change with you. 

At Restore Education we believe education has the power to transform lives. In recent months, we have examined our recruitment practices to intentionally increase Black representation among our staff, volunteers, and board members. We practice culturally responsive curriculum and teaching methods, and are currently engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all staff.  And we are committed to increasing access to our programs in the local Black community. We fully accept that advocacy is a learning process. 

We pledge to use our privileged positionality and resources to create lasting change. We are committed to holding ourselves accountable to better serve our students and our community. We will continue to strive for equitable education and economic opportunity for all. 

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” We recognize that justice goes beyond ending violence. We understand that educational, economic, and racial equity is the only pathway toward healing. We are committed to doing this work for our students, for our staff, and for our community. 

Kelli Rhodes, Executive Director