On Wednesday, September 11th, charter school parents, students, and educators, primarily African-American and Hispanic/Latino, took a "shot across the bow" to the Democratic Presidential candidates who were participating in the Democratic Presidential Debate held on the campus of TSU in Houston. The rally, organized by African-American and Hispanic/Latino charter school leaders from across the country, engaged over 500 parents, students, parents, school leaders and board members in an hour of speeches, chants and student performances.

The program was emceed by Margaret Rodriguez, Superintendent Sanchez Charter School and Luly Castillo – YES Prep board member/alumni and parent! The rally was co-organized by Dr. Howard Fuller, Roland Martin, and Dr. Steve Perry. The inspirational talks, performances and general excitement from everyone will be remembered for a long time.  

Thanks to the Rhodes School for the Drum Line, Beatrice Mayes Institute, for the Cheerleaders and the Southside Dazzling Giants dance group from YES Prep. Other program speakers included; Victor Garcia – a Senior from Harmony Schools, Tereasa Doss- Parent from the Beatrice Mayes Institute; Tristan Jones - a teacher at KIPP Houston (and TALI alumni), and Lauren Philpott, 7th grader at Rhoades School.

Check out the Rally here. 

Other stories and blogs about the rally can be found at https://www.saveourcharterschools.com/

 Leaders of the Coalition for Charter Schools participated in a demonstration the next day prior to the Presidential Debate held at TSU. You can read more about that here.