Greetings Craig,

COAL has changed the topic of discussion for this Saturday's June Coalition Power Breakfast; we will cover the Red Line Extension Project in July.

Instead, we will discuss and recommend action against another attack on a Black-led school, the Bronzeville Academy Charter School (BACS).

Within the past few weeks, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) made the decision not to renew Bronzeville's charter, thus closing down the school as of June 30, 2024. This non-renewal was done despite the fact that BACS had addressed the ISBE's issue of it not having secured a facility to house the school (BACS entered into an agreement to use PUSH classrooms for the school, which is working to the staff's, parents' and students' satisfaction).

COAL is honored to host Alvin Boutte Jr., Chief Executive Office, and David E. Ireland, Chief Financial Officer, of Bronzeville Academy, to speak in detail on this issue.

COAL strongly believes that we, as a community, must challenge the systems that do not prioritize the education of our children, that devalue our community institutions, and that do not listen to the voices of our community.

Please join us this Saturday, June 8, 2024, for an important and engaging discussion.

Respectfully,

COAL Board of Directors

_____________________________________________

"The time to work seriously and collectively, to improve the state of our Community, is upon us..."

Let Us be intentional in all aspects of the Work that must be done.

INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE

CRITICAL ITEMS TO NOTE

About COAL

COAL is an umbrella organization founded by 13 of Chicago's historic African American mens clubs. COAL's overarching mission is to identify, examine, illuminate and find resolution to issues impacting the greater community. We strive to use our collective experience, expertise and resources to improve the quality of opportunity, quality of preparedness and the quality of outcomes (expressed as 'quality of life') for our Community.

What We Believe

The Coalition of African American Leaders believes that it is important to examine the critical issues confronting the African American community where injustice, inequality and the absence of access and opportunity continue to prevail, thereby negatively impacting us as a people.

COAL is an assemblage that advocates and organizes for appropriate and responsible public policy change, system behavior change and equality of opportunity. We aim to achieve for all of our people the fullness of the life experience without any form of racism or exclusion as a deterrent.

We believe we must prepare ourselves for the opportunity of this full participation, thereby achieving the necessary education and training to participate.