2020 Change Maker: Liz Thompson, Founder and President of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education

Posted By Liz Thompson | December 30, 2020

By: Lauren Coughlin

Liz Thompson knows the power of a good educator.

“I have always admired teachers because of the amazing people that taught and motivated me throughout my education,” said Thompson.

Click here to read the full story >

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Apr 12

Fanny Jackson Coppin is the first African American

Fanny Jackson Coppin is the first African American woman to become a school principal, superintendent of a school district, one of five African American women invited to speak at the World's Congress of Representative Women, and one of the first vice presidents of the National Association of Colored Women.

Fanny lead with action as she took in impoverished youth when other charities turned them away.

"Love wins when everything else will fail." - Fanny Jackson Coppin

Tap the link in bio to learn more.

#MotivationMonday #FannyJacksonCoppin #Educator #BlackEducator #InspirationalWomen #Trailblazer #Advocate #Pioneer #HigherEducation #BlackHistory

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Apr 8

We're looking forward to moderating an important @

We're looking forward to moderating an important @MyForefront (Illinois) panel discussion with panelists Laura Coy (@WilliamBlairCompany), Harmony Harrington (Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL), and other corporate leaders statewide.

Join us Thursday, April 15 for: “Doing Good with What We’re Good at Doing: A Look at Corporate Collaboration and Philanthropy in Illinois.”

This is a not-to-be-missed discussion – we’ll lift up collective impact initiatives and discuss the challenges to and opportunities for improved coordination and impact with a specific focus on cross-sector collaboration to advance COVID response and equity across our state.

Register for this free event by tapping the link in bio.

#CSR #Equity #EquitableRecovery #COVID19 #WBCares #Illinois #Forefront #WilliamBlair #TheCafeGroup #Philanthropy

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Apr 7

Why the name “1954 Project?” In 1954, the US

Why the name “1954 Project?”

In 1954, the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. And yet, seven decades later, segregation persists in our public schools. In the rush to “integrate,” thousands of Black teachers, school leaders, and mentors lost their jobs in a predominantly white system. The 1954 Project seeks to undo what was lost when those educators were pushed aside, by reintroducing the lived Black experience back into the public education system.

Join us on April 28, 2021, from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm CST as we recognize and award the leaders that are demonstrating excellence in education.

Register here: https://the-1954-project.webflow.io/luminaryawards2021

#The1954Project #LuminaryAwards #CAFEImpact

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Apr 6

The time to act is now! We would love your support

The time to act is now! We would love your support as we bring solutions to racial justice and equity.

Join @LGC_Chicago's, "Equity in Education for All: Closing the Gap," event on Thursday, April 15 12pm CST.

This event is very dear to the heart of our President, Liz Thompson, an LGC Fellow since 1991 and moderated by Kate Grossman, a Senior Education Editor for @WBEZCHICAGO. Guest speakers include:

Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez (LGC Fellow since 2015), Chief of Network 8 for @ChiPubSchools. Including our grantee, Daniel Anello (LGC Fellow since 2019), Chief Executive Officer of @KidsFirstChi, and Dr. @JaniceJJackson, (LGC Fellow since 2007), Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools. Janice is also one of our #BlackWomenInEducation members.

Together we can make a difference!

Free registration, sign up now: https://bit.ly/3u9R8dK

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Apr 5

We've been fortunate to have access to many schola

We've been fortunate to have access to many scholars, researchers, and practitioners that are deeply rooted in the evolving #educational ecosystem. Visit our website to view our most recent case studies, which highlight key findings that influence our work and strategies within our community and beyond.
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#TheCAFEGroup #CaseStudies #keyfindings #educationalsystem #educationalopportunities #EducationResearch #educationalscholars #educationalresearch #communitysupport #educatinonalsupport

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Apr 2

When you support #The1954Project, you are supporti

When you support #The1954Project, you are supporting remarkable, game-changing leaders.

Help us recognize the impact they have made, and join us in celebration of the Inaugural 1954 Project Luminary Awards!

Special guests include Cookie Johnson (@TheCookieJ) & Earvin “Magic” Johnson (@MagicJohnson), Common (@Common), Jay Ellis (@JayREllis), Dr. Nzinga Harrison (@ZingLover), Lauren B. Stoute (@foodpaparazzi), Liz Thompson & Don Thompson.

You don’t want to miss this event!

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 11am CST
Register now: https://the-1954-project.webflow.io/luminary

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Mar 31

What would #WomensHistoryMonth be without Dr. @jan

What would #WomensHistoryMonth be without Dr. @janicekjackson, a Chicago native, a product of @chipubschools, and now the CEO of the country's third-largest school district?

Dr. Jackson has spent her career ensuring children get equitable access to high-quality programming and facilities. Her Five-Year Vision for Chicago Public Schools, unveiled in 2019, has provided the school district with a roadmap to academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Above all, the vision renews the district’s focus on equity.

#chicagoeducation #educatingchicago #supportouryouth #empoweringblackyouth #blackeducation #knowledgeispower #blackprofessionals #pioneeringblackwomen #blackceos

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Mar 30

#Repost @bravennationchicago ・・・ Throughout

#Repost @bravennationchicago
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Throughout her career, Liz Thompson has been mentored by many incredible women. This support system helped point out pitfalls to avoid and shared hacks for her to take on her professional journey, helping her to get to where she is today.

As a Black female leader, Liz challenges the assumption that poor women are not smart. “My mom was the smartest woman I’ve ever met,” she says. “She just didn’t have the opportunities that others had, being born in 1924 as a Black woman in America.” And, if given the opportunity to have dinner with anyone, Liz would choose her mom in a heartbeat.

Now as President of @thecafegroup, Liz is paying it forward and deeply engaged in the non-profit community. An advocate for youth development and education, Liz and her team help our nation’s young people reach college success and career readiness and attainment. “My vision is that young women will have the opportunity to dream big and then go out and make their dreams come true without the barriers that previous generations faced and with the help of other women surrounding them,” she shares. She also sits on Chicago’s Braven board.

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate Liz and her journey. We are so incredibly thankful to have women like Liz in our corner!

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Mar 30

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we'd like to acknowledge

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we'd like to acknowledge Gloria Ladson-Billings, the former Kellner Family Distinguished Professor of Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the @UWMadison.

Ladson-Billings also worked as a faculty affiliate in the Department of Educational Policy Studies.

Her research examines the pedagogical practices of teachers who are successful with African American students. She is also a critically acclaimed author and has won numerous scholarly awards.

#BlackWomeninHistory #BlackEducation #BlackProfessionals #PioneeringBlackWomen #CivilRightsLeaders #KnowledgeisPower

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Mar 26

#Didyouknow Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, aka "The

#Didyouknow Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, aka "The First Lady of Social Graces," became nationally known as an educator, social worker, and leader for her creation of #ThePalmerMemorialInstitute?

Brown served as the school's president for 50 years and transformed the lives of 2,000+ African American students through her work.

For decades, the school, which had a national reputation, was most notable for its success rates, with over 90% of Palmer's graduating students attending college and 64% pursuing postgraduate degrees.

#BlackWomeninHistory #HistoricalBlackWomen #BlackEducation #BlackEducators #HonoringBlackWomen #BlackWomeninEducation

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