Long Beach youth were celebrated for their commitment to social justice, leadership and valuable contributions in advancing CDF-CA’s mission and improving conditions in their community and schools at the Action Scholars Leadership Awards ceremony on October 28th in Long Beach.
Along with CDF-CA staff, the families of our action scholars were in attendance and listened intently as youth shared stories about their experience being a part of our Action Scholars Leadership (ASL) program. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear more about CDF-CA’s programs and priorities from Executive Director Alex Johnson and Program Director Saira Soto. .
But it was Amaya Noguera-Mujica, our the newest Long Beach team member, who led the program and kept the energy flowing. Amaya helped to connect our work to the current national context of school push-out and school climate by highlighting the tragic and unjust treatment of a Black female high school student in South Carolina.
The Action Scholars youth were presented with certificates and shared their excitement about participating in this program during the 2015-16 school year.
The ASL program prepares current, former and prospective CDF Freedom Schools® scholars and their families to apply the core values and principles of the program to transform their communities. Founded in partnership with Success In Challenges in 2013, ASL provides members with the knowledge base, experiences, and strategies to develop and sustain long-term, youth-led advocacy campaigns influenced by the principles of nonviolent direct action.