Faith and Advocacy

UNCF and The Expectations Project (TEP) have teamed up to create a brief document that provides tips and tools to help clergy and leaders in the faith engage in educational equity issues.  A profession of faith calls for compassion and a willingness to speak up against injustice.

We believe that the faith community has the power to enact change on behalf of students. We also believe there is hope in action. There are more than 300,000 places of worship across America compared with roughly 23,000 high-poverty public schools, struggling to meet student needs—a ratio of 13 to 1.1.  We urge the faith community to address the vast inequities in public education and speak up and act on behalf of “the least of these.” (Matthew 25:40)

Download our
Faith In Action: Tips and Tools for Education Advocacy Fact Sheet

Advocacy in Action

In addition to the suggestions on the one-pager, here are a few more tips and resources not included in the one pager that may help in advocacy work. Whether you are a seasoned advocate or this is your first time thinking about it, there is a place for you. Use this chart to find out how you can get involved in improving America’s public schools. 

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Useful Resources

• Lift Every Voice and Lead: African American Leaders’ Perceptions of K-12 Education Reform 
• The Lift Every Voice and Lead Toolkit: A Community Leader’s Advocacy Resource for K-12 Education. Washington
• UNCF’s National Faith and Education Initiative
• TEP’s Advocacy 101 Webinar
• TEP’s Advocacy Starter Toolkit
• Schools in Crisis: They Need Your Help  By Dr. Nicole Baker Fulgham 
• Educating All God’s Children by Dr. Nicole Baker Fulgham

Key Advocacy in Action Bible Verses:

• “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”- Micah 6:8, ESV
• “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” – Proverbs 31:8-9, NLT
• “…let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”- Amos 5:24, ESV

 

 

Share your advocacy stories with us at #FaithEdAdvocacy

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About The Expectations Project
We are faith leaders using our combined influence to demand a high quality education for all God’s children, regardless of the zip code they live in, money their parents make, or the color of their skin. To learn more, visit www.expectations.org 

About UNCF
UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness.