Why Education?

Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) children in Evanston have faced racialized disparities in education for generations, impacting achievement, agency, identity, and the overall ability to thrive.  


The average test score of white students is higher in Evanston than in any other district in the nation. Yet Evanston’s Black students are four grades behind their white classmates.(1)

Only 33% of Black students are reaching college readiness benchmarks in literacy as they leave District 65, compared to 83% of their white peers. (2)

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Between 2015 and 2018, there was virtually no change in the percent of Black and Latinx students meeting college readiness benchmarks in reading.(3)

In 2020, a Black student in Evanston is 9 times more likely than a white student to score in the lowest MAP quartile in reading.(3)

These outcomes may reflect Evanston’s current reality, but they do not reflect Evanston’s values. And they do not reflect Evanston’s future.  Foundation 65 is committed to shaping outcomes in Evanston that reflect our community’s common and relentless commitment to strong academic outcomes for all of our children - a future Evanston where race does not predict levels of achievement, agency, identity or an ability to thrive.

We envision a future Evanston where outcomes of academic excellence exist in equal measure for Black and Brown students as they exist for white students, where the commitment of our community as a whole, not one’s race, is the predictor of our children’s ability to achieve and thrive.

Foundation 65 is here to be an agent of change. 

Foundation 65 supports educators and programs that are explicitly created using an equity lens.  We want to show and are committed to showing our children that they are valued. In doing that, we hope to build a culture where all children learn that Black Lives Matter and we support our children in connecting with one another and sharing humanity.

Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson says that equity is "the intentional ability to give up privilege and power for the greater good." (3) By elevating the voices of BIPOC educators so they can bring their wisdom, experience, and brilliance to the table in new ways, Foundation 65 is seeking to change the narrative.

“As a Black male educator, I’ve dedicated my life to social justice for all students, especially those students who had the same experience as me. This includes a lack of resources, discrimination, and blatant acts of racism. I’ve experienced them as a student, teacher, coach, dean, and principal. I am tired. I am angry. Yet, I have hope. We must act. We must vote. We must not hide under the cloak of privilege. We must not just want to believe that “we are not” racist.  We must seek to be anti-racist.”

— Dr. Keith A. Robinson, Associate Principal, Evanston Township High School

Foundation 65 Board President, 2018-2020

As a foundation, we know that we are on a long journey.  

We are committed to anti-racist practices and focus our grantmaking support to that end. We have supported the creation of the Black Girl Magic Book Club, which looks to reflect, elevate and humanize Black girls in District 65. The program quickly expanded to serve three schools spearheaded the development of a Black Boy Joy Book Club -to empower and humanize Black boys in District 65. We have also supported programs like the Black SonRise program, which pairs Black boys and men in a weekly program to engage in literacy, STEM, mentorship and more. Camp Kuumba provides a camp opportunity for Black boys in District 65 in 3rd-8th grade to engage in literacy, STEM, sports, music and more an in environment developed and led by Black men in our community.

We are working to create a world where BIPOC children see themselves as fully human, valued, and reflected in our schools.  We recognize the power of changing the hearts and minds of white children as well. With intention and deep introspection, we can work with our children to create a world where Black lives truly do matter to all.

 In Evanston, we firmly believe in public education and the promises it holds. Join us as we work together to move closer to the ideals for which we strive.

 Sources:

  1. Reardon, Sean. “Income, Race, Gender, and Educational Opportunity: A Data Portrait of Evanston and America.” Family Action Network, 4 May, 2017, Evanston Township High School, Presentation.

  2. Evanston/Skokie School District 65. 2018-2019 Achievement & Accountability Report.

    Infographic created by adapting an original icon by iconixar from Flatiron.

  3. Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Office of Research, Accountability, and Data. 2018 Achievement & Accountability Report.