
BLAQUE Freedom Schools
BLAQUE Promise Project is thrilled to collaborate with BLAQUE Kansas City to bring CDF Freedom Schools back to Kansas City. Rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project of 1964, CDF Freedom Schools® aimed to keep Black children safe and provide rich educational experiences. These early programs were led by college students who taught reading, writing, humanities, mathematics, science, Black history, and constitutional rights, encouraging youth to become independent thinkers and agents of change. Since 1995, CDF has established Freedom Schools to address the lack of high-quality summer literacy programs for children.
Imagine a place where the joy of reading is not only taught but experienced, a place where kids burst through the doors with excitement because they know each page turned opens up a world of endless possibilities. Welcome to BLAQUE Freedom Schools - an innovative summer program that's changing lives one child at a time. The need is urgent; with recent data showing only 2 out of 10 Black children in the State of Missouri are reading on grade level, the literacy crisis is real!! But here’s the good news - it's not insurmountable, and we all have a role to play in changing this narrative!
At BLAQUE Freedom Schools, every day is a celebration of learning, kicking off with Harambee, a session of songs, chants, and motivational readings designed to energize and unite the students. It’s an environment where children are immersed in a world where books are not just words on pages but gateways to discovery, aspiration, and empowerment.
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So, how can you join this transformative journey? It starts with a belief - a conviction that every child, regardless of their background, is a reservoir of potential waiting to be unleashed. It’s fueled by action - volunteering, mentoring, and investing in the program. As we embark on this journey of growth, we will need even more interns, readers, and champions to support this work. It’s cemented by advocacy - being voices that echo the urgent call to elevate literacy in our city.
Applications for students, site coordinators, and summer interns are open!
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Join us at BLAQUE Freedom Schools and be a part of a movement that transforms lives through the power of education and community. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
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PARTNER WITH US

Thanks to collaborations with esteemed organizations like the Kansas City Urban League, Friendship Baptist Church, and the Kansas City Art Institute, our Freedom School has soared to unprecedented heights.
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These partnerships have played a pivotal role in making this year's Freedom School our most exceptional one to date.
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READ TO US!

By showcasing diverse representation in our readership, we empower scholars to envision their potential paths while bringing words to life during Harambee.
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Ready to be part of this transformative experience as a reader? Complete the form below and join us in shaping inspiring narratives!
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