Behind every investment in education is a decision about which opportunities children deserve. So, who’s investing in Alabama’s charter schools—and what are they looking for?
In this live-audience episode of The Advocates Chair, host Neonta Williams sits down with Delano Ford of Charter School Growth Fund and Jasmine Jenkins of Bloomberg Philanthropies for a candid conversation about philanthropy, school quality, and the future of educational opportunity in Alabama.
Before talking funding, we get to the personal “why.” From family experiences to classroom teaching and school leadership, our guests share the stories that shaped their commitment to students—and how those experiences inform their investments today.
In this episode:
Why national funders are investing in Alabama’s charter schools
Why growth must mean more than adding seats
How partnerships between charter schools and historically Black colleges and universities can expand opportunity
What founders need to make the transition from school leader to organizational leader
How funders approach operational support and opportunities for investmentAt the heart of this conversation is a shared expectation: children deserve schools where they are loved, challenged, and prepared to pursue their biggest dreams.
Thank you to New Schools for Alabama for making this live conversation possible.
The Advocates Chair: Real Stories. Real Advocacy. Real Change.
Hosted by Neonta Williams and brought to you by Black Alabamians for Education.
Subscribe for more honest conversations about educational equity, family advocacy, and community-driven change. https://www.youtube.com/@blackal4edu
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