1. CONTINUOUSLY [R]EVOLVING Education is continuously changing, so its problems require more than one-off solutions. We visualize what we do as cyclical, and always adapting to catch up to the needs of communities around us. Our goal is to become completely alumni-led, and alumni-driven, so that our participants become our leaders, who in turn identify the next generation of participants. They will continue to define what’s important within our organization, and they will help us set benchmarks and define success as the field evolves.
“Education has been used as a tool for oppression--what history were you taught? How were you disciplined? What did your teachers look like? We believe that can be redesigned and education can be a tool for liberation.” -- Rachel Van Parys, Director of Investments, 4.0
Our leadership will follow a similar model, with each CEO serving a 4-year term after being elected by our alumni community; currently, our CEO is a 4.0 alum. Alumni will also play an increasingly important role in governance, as they are appointed to more seats on our board.
EVOLUTION IN OUR FUNDING MODEL Our approach to funding is future-oriented. In 2020, we launched the Angel Syndicate, a network of Black philanthropists working together to build skills, relationships, identities and collective power. This is more than just a group of funders; it’s a true collective. The syndicate will work together to name their visions for the future of education grounded in historical context, and then identify philanthropic opportunities. Our aim is to gather 4,000 members in four years, who are committed to giving $1,000 per year to fund early-stage education ventures. By receiving funding from thousands of committed individuals rather than a handful of large sources, we can achieve a more sustainable economic model and a healthier balance of power between funders and those who are funded. In time, 4.0 will become a fully community-funded self-funded organization, sustained by smaller investments from a broad network of alumni and other supporters. Ultimately, the Angel Syndicate will work more broadly, beyond the 4.0 community. As a national network of experienced activists, thinkers, educators and entrepreneurs, the Syndicate will serve as an inspiring resource for anyone working toward justice in education.
HOW WE STAY ACCOUNTABLE When organizations serve communities from the outside, it can be relatively easy to avoid accountability. At 4.0, we’re committed to shared power, open lines of communication, and being held accountable to the communities we serve. We actively work to decenter 4.0 as an institutional decision maker; rather we listen to our participants and stakeholders to understand the right steps forward. With alumni leading our coaching, recruitment and selection, we have a better chance to get things right the first time, while also creating the trust necessary to sort through any conflict that arises. This accountability is extended to the larger communities, beyond those in the immediate 4.0 network, as our fellows and alumni are all deeply connected to, and seeking to collaborate with, the communities they serve. In fact, this connection is a key expectation of the fellow selection process. We extend community accountability further by making sure our fellows are all trained in ethical testing. This model acknowledges the harmful past of experimentation by researchers, particularly in and on communities of color, and seeks to create an alternative methodology that tests fellows’ ideas in ways that are respectful, responsible, and collaborative.
2. THREE CASE STUDIES [written, approved by all 3 subjects]
JESSICA SANTANA Co-Founder, America On Tech Los Angeles, CA and Brooklyn, NY
Jessica Santana’s passion for technology started in the early 2000’s, with a teenage dream: “I wanted to have a cool MySpace page layout!” Her passion for technology grew over the years, and eventually, she became the first person in her family to obtain a four-year college degree. She then went on to earn a Master’s in Technology. While working as a technology consultant, in a field dominated by white men, she found there was a “deficit mindset” when it came to talent. Most potential employers believed that there simply weren’t many young people of color who were qualified for jobs in technology.
Jessica saw that disparities caused by the ‘digital divide’ were holding back many Black and Latinx students from pursuing work in technology. Put simply, she says, “There are huge differences in your tech exposure based on the zip code you live in.” Jessica refused to accept these inequities, and she and a co-founder began offering weekend technology workshops for students. They called their venture Brooklyn on Tech, but before long, the program went national, and America on Tech was born. In 2015, Jessica completed 4.0’s Tiny Fellowship. “We were still a very young initiative, only 6-8 months old, and not fully designed. But the team genuinely cared about the success of our venture. It takes a certain level of expertise and rigor to run a strong operation. [4.0] introduced us to people who’d experienced this, and they gave us capital to pursue our goals.” Over the last 6 years, America on Tech has grown to work with students age 16-24 across the country. The program bridges the digital divide by introducing young students to technology, while also providing career training for older participants. Working in partnership with companies like NBC Universal and Deutsche Bank, America on Tech qualifies young adults to apply for internships and paid jobs after completion.
JACOB ADAMS Founder, STEM to the Future Los Angeles, CA
Jacob Adams brings engaging, fun, real-world STEAM applications to classrooms across the country. He grew up in Augusta, GA, and then taught in New York City, and remembers that “Science For Jessica, 4.0’s community of entrepreneurs wasn’t really fun, because it was abstract. I’d get has been invaluable. “When you think about who into trouble because I was resistant. So my work you want to be, those people modeled that for us. came from a lot of what I didn’t like about school.” The vision was already there, but 4.0 recognized our potential and believed in us and what we were Later, as a graduate student and teacher, he trying to do.” She continues to re-invest in the 4.0 imagined what learning could look like with community as a coach and Regional Chair. energized students who truly enjoyed being in the classroom. “School has the potential to be a really Like 4.0, America on Tech invests early, to amplify fun place where you like to be and you like to learn! the powerful potential of individuals. Its participants But even if you are a really great teacher, you have are encouraged to dream big, be bold, and have to go against the system to do that.” confidence in their own abilities. Through this work, Jessica is changing the face of technology, one Jacob entered 4.0 as a fellow in 2017, and began to student at a time. think about making systemic change in education.
”The idea of always being able to adapt and be cool MARVIN PIERRE with changing--a lot of that came from 4.0. We were Executive Director, 8 Million Stories always attached to solving a real-world problem for Houston, TX the real world community.” Marvin Pierre’s career started in an unexpected place for a leader in Education--at the financial firm Goldman Sachs. But when the economic downturn of 2008 forced him to re-evaluate, he decided to pursue work that truly inspired him. When a friend who was teaching in Brooklyn public schools asked Marvin to speak to her 5th grade class, he felt connected to the students. He also recognized that, because they were largely reading below grade level, these students had a higher chance of dropping out or being caught up in the criminal justice system. At that moment, he took a leap of Jacob’s larger mission is to inspire Black and Latinx faith and decided to pursue a career in education. students to be creative critical thinkers who create liberatory communities. “We help kids develop skills Along with his co-founder Vanessa Ramirez, Marvin to work with each other, think critically, and make became educated about the school-to-prison a difference. Unfortunately we can’t wait on the pipeline, which routes 12,000 of Houston’ kids aged powers that be to create positive change; that work 10-18 to the juvenile justice system each year. The has to be done by the people, for the people.” two worked together to create 8 Million Stories, a nonprofit supporting disconnected youth with education, employment skills training, and social and emotional support. Ultimately, Jacob translated his experience as an educator into STEM to the Future, a program that creates inspiring learning opportunities for students aged 4-11. By listening to student interests and incorporating current events into its curricula, STEM to the Future stays relevant and exciting. STEM to the Future participants have brainstormed about healthcare and designed PPE, learned coding and applied it to the issue of urban food deserts, and designed vehicles that run on renewable energy.
8MS works with the change theory that, given support and empathy, youth who’ve been pushed out of the school system can return to lead healthy, happy lives. Whether they need support with GED completion, job placement, or mental health counseling, participants complete their education and find pathways to success. Marvin acknowledges that the work is not always easy. In many cases, 8 Million Stories supports students inside, and outside the classroom. “This population is transient,” says Marvin. “They may be here tomorrow but if not, you have to find out: are they back in jail? Are they at home? Some of our kids are homeless--so we use our funding to put them somewhere safe like a hotel for the night.” The organization has been community-driven from the start. “Relationships within the community help
us network, says Marvin, “So we know resources are coming from people whose values align with ours.” This value is one of many that was reinforced during Marvin’s time at 4.0. As a Tiny Fellow, he valued “Quality coaching, and access to technical and financial support to take my organization to another level and show our impact.” As a 4.0 Selection Coordinator, Marvin makes sure no fellow is left behind. “How do we continue to make sure they push [their] idea forward? We want to change the game in education so we need to provide that support so the ideas don’t die out. They need money to test out their ideas, but they [also] need long term sustainability.” For Marvin and the people in his network, the future looks bright!
3. CALL TO ACTION This text is an invitation to join us. The work of educational justice touches everyone-whether or not you set foot in a classroom. Because the way we learn influences how we think, how we treat others, and how much agency we have in our lives, education shapes our relationships, and every corner of the communities we live in. If you are committed to justice and equity; if your vision for the future includes powerful, selfdetermined, joyful communities, start here! Whether you’re thinking big about how to improve the way we learn, or you’re ready to make an investment in our work, we want to hear from you. There’s room at our table for everyone. Pull up a chair, and let’s get to work! Learn more about our programs Stay up to date on our work Apply for a fellowship or refer someone to apply Get in touch with our team