2009. We have a black president in America. A supposed progressive president. What will become of the year 2009? Will it be remembered in the history books as a time of great change, the beginning of a great movement, a great drive to transform our nation? Or will it only be remembered as the year when America's first black president was elected and nothing more? Will this year be an indistinguishable blip in the chronicles of history or will it mark a new page? A page that will tell about a time when college became affordable to everyone regardless of economic status, where the youth became empowered to work for their visions reality, a time when health care became available to all those in need of it regardless of where they worked, a time when violence became detested and frowned upon as a means to police our communities and our world, a time when the concerns of the poor took precedent over the concerns of the rich, a time when we agreed to really live sustainably instead of simply sustaining rhetoric of a "green" society?

Obama may have a few lines to write in this page of history. But we are not only co-authors but also the publishers of our moment in history. Whether with Transform America or with one of our Wings, join us to help Transform America. No issue is an island unto itself. We're starting with education only as a avenue to systemic, holistic, change. Register to be a mentor for 1 hour a week. Suggest ideas that should be included in a mission statement for the New York City Department of Education.

History nor change is made with talk alone. There must be corresponding actions. Pick up your pens. Let's write history.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Fort Greene for the Social Justice Party in the Park! We appreciate all of the efforts of the performers, the organizations and the volunteers.

Video and pictures of the event will be forthcoming.

Due to the unanticipated all day rain-a-thon this past Saturday, we regretfully had to postpone the Social Justice Party in the Park. That said, it gives us more time to attract more media sources and even more attendees. This is going to be a very exciting and significant event and this delay gives us an opportunity to only make it better.

Sunday, November 2nd, 12-5pm, Fort Greene Park (No rain in site, 61 degree forecast).

Register Your Organization HERE:

Registration Application

We have ambitious goals, we must have ambitious organizations with the audacity to work for big change.  read more »

Three internship positions are available with Transform America

Marketing and Publicity Assistant

Recruitment Assistant

Impact for Change Assistant

Details

See attachments below for details on each position

This is a great experience for anyone who wants to work and/or lead in the non-profit sector, see what change can look like from the ground up, and work for the name of social justice. This is an unpaid internship that requires school credit.

To apply please send your resume and brief cover letter to: info@transformamerica.org

Social Justice Party in the Park

What

A gathering of organizations to promote social justice, recruit activists, and advance our campaign for better education in NYC.

When

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

12 noon

Where

Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn

Map

Come out and help us promote political education, increase mentorship in schools, raise money for college scholarships, and create a mission statement for the Dept of Education. More details to come.  read more »

The Vote:

• Political Education (Youth Council, Democracy Matters, Transform America, GQ, LUCHA, and C-Roots) 6 votes
• Alternatives to college (Youth Council) 1 vote
• Developing a purpose for the NYC Dept. of Education (Transform America, C-Roots) 2 votes
• Making college Affordable (Youth Council, Democracy Matters, GQ, and LUCHA) 4 votes
• Increasing Mentors and Counselors (Democracy matters, Transform America, GQ, LUCHA, C-Roots) 5 votes

Democracy is not something you put away for ten years, and then in the 11th year you wake up and start practicing again. We have to begin to learn to rule ourselves again.
Chinua Achebe  read more »

 read more »

The official vote of our Wing organizations, 5-1. A better Education in NYC will be our Destination or campaign. Now before we get to the question, “how?”, we get to the question, "What specifically?

What specifically do we wish to change about education and why?

Transform America Wings have come up with the following 5 issues to address. By 6:00pm, Tuesday August 12th, our Wings will vote for the top 3 issues they would like to vote on. Then we will begin the work of developing collaborative action plans to deal with these issues. Weigh in.

* Academic Alternatives[1]
* Political Education[2]
* Purpose Development for Dept. of Education[3]
* College Affordability[4]
* Increasing Counselors and Mentors for Students[5]

[1] To create alternatives to college for students who don't make it academically such as vocational training and giving students the proper skills to begin working after graduating high school and teaching students about self-employment opportunities. Some examples of jobs that do not require a college degree include being an entrepreneur, electrician, web master. etc. Also maybe trying to expand apprenticeship programs.

[2] Teaching students about the social justice issues affecting them such as healthcare and the economy as well as encouraging people to vote smart and be knowledgeable about the candidates and the political process. Getting high school students and young people involved in local elections, encouraging their candidacy in local politics such as the city council, and encouraging activism so that they themselves can create the type of change they wish to see in their communities.

[3] The New York City Dept. of Education does not have a purpose or mission statement. We want to create a purpose and rally the students and teachers and parents around this purpose while at the same time increasing the demand side of education and getting kids to really want to learn and invest their time and energy into education. This mission should include aspects of community control of education and human rights.

[4] To make college more affordable for prospective and current students as well as ensuring that students are aware of scholarship and grant opportunities.

[5] Bringing professionals and college students to the classroom to be counselors and mentors to high school and middle school kids so that students have someone to talk to about their futures and what an education can provide for them. This will also affect the demand side of education by increasing it because kids will see how valuable an education is.

Do not let "the how" determine what you think should change. Think freely. Which of these 3 issues do you think should should be addressed first and why?