News from Jay: January 2025 

Share Full Article:

Dear FCCS Family, 

2024 was a year of meaningful progress in our fight for educational justice. If you haven’t already, check out our Annual Report that highlights stories, data, and insights. We’re hitting the ground running in 2025 with our new policy agenda to advance quality public school options for Black and Latino families!

As we navigate the evolving political landscape following the recent inauguration of a new federal administration, FCCS is committed to supporting our schools to ensure they remain safe and inclusive learning environments for every student. 

FCCS represents a diverse network of Black and Latino-led charter schools committed to innovation, equity, and excellence in education. We welcome an opportunity to share our expertise and insight with the new administration and seek avenues to discuss our 2025 policy priorities.  

  • Teacher Diversity: Diversifying the teacher pipeline to reflect the communities they serve. FCCS supports initiatives that focus on building stronger teacher pathways, including incentivized recruiting processes, targeted outreach, and support within the most vulnerable communities.
  • Equitable Funding: Addressing inequities in funding, facilities, and access that disproportionately affect leaders of color. FCCS supports fair and equitable distribution of educational funding, ensuring that resources are allocated to schools in Black and Latino communities to address the historical underinvestment and provide equal opportunities for all students.
  • Authorizing Accountability and Equity: Advocating for laws that ensure fairness in school approval and renewal processes, and access to public buildings. FCCS focuses on the responsibilities and standards for charter school authorizers, including equitable practices for renewals and equitable metrics indicators.
  • School Choice and Accessibility: Expanding alternative school options, particularly for schools led and founded by Black and Latino leaders. FCCS promotes policies that expand access to quality public school options, including magnet programs, charter schools, and community schools, ensuring that families have a range of choices that meet their diverse needs.


FCCS will advocate for these and other policy recommendations – like workforce development and mental health – with the new federal administration with a focus on ensuring our students are able to learn and thrive in an environment free from fear and discrimination. In Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee, we are meeting with lawmakers and our partners to pursue legislation to address these priorities at the state level.

Many families and school communities are rightfully concerned about new federal immigration policies that are causing anxiety about their safety and well-being. FCCS will be sharing tools to help school communities navigate these challenges, including these public resources shared by Unidos.

FCCS also acknowledges the recent pause on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While the landscape around DEI is changing, FCCS continues to champion the principles of equity and inclusion, as they are essential to the success of all students.

In the meantime, we are drawing inspiration from our schools across the country.

To kick-off National School Choice Week (NCSW) this week, we are launching FCCS in 5 Minutes to spotlight extraordinary school leaders of color redefining the future of education by founding and leading high-performing, inclusive schools that work for Black and Latino families. Join us as we celebrate their vision, resilience, and impact!

I was honored to be a speaker at the 2nd Annual National Mothers Rally: “Time to Hear from Mama” hosted by the Black Mothers Forum (BMF) during NSCW at the Arizona State Capitol. I joined other mothers from across the nation, united in our unwavering support of their right to choose the best educational options for their children. 

Together, we can continue to advocate for the best interests of our students and families and ensure they have access to the education they deserve.

In solidarity,

Jay

Jay Artis-Wright
Executive Director 
FCCS