Building Grassroots and Grasstops Demand for Quality Education
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass taught us that “power cedes nothing without demand” and his words ring true for charter leaders who seek to improve educational outcomes at scale. Yet in today’s public education discourse, why is there so little talk of the persistent disparities in reading and math outcomes, the same outcomes that created the impetus for charter schools? Why do these racial disparities continue to plague public education and how we can change them? Have you wondered what you can do inside and outside of your school to build power for improved student outcomes?
In this session, participants will dig into how powerful academic accountability can be rooted in the voice and power of those who have the most at stake: family and community members. Discover how organized, disciplined campaigns build strong grasstop allies and influence policy. Dive into the case study of how the Families in Action for Quality Education Coalition parents and youth organized the Raise the Bar campaign, using data to agitate, building strong grasstop allies through research action and large-scale public actions.
Presented by
Javier Barraza
Associate Director of 6-12 Organizing
FIA Oakland
Javier Barraza is a dedicated community organizer and education advocate based in Oakland, California. With a strong background in youth leadership development and parent engagement, he works to build power among families and students to push for quality, equity, and accountability in public education. Javier has led initiatives that uplift parent voice, strengthen grassroots coalitions, and advance policy change through campaigns like Raise the Bar. Javier creates spaces where communities feel empowered to act.
Kimi Kean
Chief Executive Officer
Families in Action for Quality Education
Formerly a high school drop out, Kimi Kean has spent two decades as an enthusiastic, results-driven public education leader in Oakland, CA. Kimi was the award winning principal of Acorn Woodland Elementary, leading the turnaround from lowest performing to CA Distinguished School. Kimi led the Aspire Bay Area region, renewing its instructional program and leadership pipelines. Student results outgrew 80% of California peers for 3 consecutive years. In 2019, Kimi co-founded a non-profit coalition dedicated to building the leadership and collective power of underserved families to lead transformation in public education. Families in Action for Quality Education creates grassroots demand for quality education, having trained over 1,000 Oakland parents and youth who lead campaigns that increase quality, equity and access at school and citywide.
Susan Singleton
Associate Director of K-5 Organizing
FIA Oakland
Susan Singleton, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, comes from a long line of Black women educators and professionals, laborers and sharecroppers native to Mississippi and South Louisiana. As the child of a single mother who did not have access to a college education, Susan learned early on the importance of a quality education as kids only get one shot at their education. Growing up in a city with only 2 high performing public elementary, middle and high schools, Susan saw many of her peers fall behind and subsequently have a lot fewer options in life as adults. This experience has shaped Susan into the family organizer she is today and drives her passion for fighting for quality education for all children. Susan leads the Lit 4 Literacy campaign at FIA which currently serves 13 school sites across Oakland toward making sure more students are on grade level.
