What I enjoyed most about FMFP '07 was the moment of clarity and wholeness I felt upon realizing that many people across the nation were fighting for the change and equality few of us deny we need. I'm involved in planning this so I can facilitate this moment for others, and so I can be a part of building the mass Education for Liberation/social justice movement, and so I can learn more.

Why would I not be in, like, the most awesome social justice conferences for now-a-days? I really think it's important to be involved. Serving and volunteering is super fun and the stress mixed with thrill of putting together a national conference on social justice is something you don't do everyday.

What I enjoyed about Free Minds, Free People is that other people enjoyed it so much. As an organizer I felt good about helping to create a space that people felt was welcoming, educational and inspiring.

I'm involved with Free Minds, Free People because it provides the opportunity for young people, organizers, teachers, and concerned community folks to build community around the issues facing our communities. Being able to network with people from different parts of the country who are experiencing similar injustices in education is a powerful tool in developing tools aimed at liberation.

Participating in and helping to coordinate FMFP offers me the same benefits: an opportunity to build with folks from around the country, to be enlightened, affirmed, and recharged.

I am involved with the planning of the Free Minds, Free People Conference because it is my most fervent desire for my people to achieve freedom. That freedom can only be achieved by uniting our efforts and pooling our resources. "He who prescribes the diameter of your thinking, controls the circumference of your activity."

Free Minds, Free People gathered one of the most balanced ensemble of folk from across the country to share their experiences with and perspectives of an education for liberation in their hoods, at their schools, and in their classrooms.  Unlike the teaching demographic of U.S. schools, FMFP was beautifully diverse.  

I loved the last conference because it was so diverse, intergenerational and inspiring. I'm involved with the planning of this year's conference because I'm committed as an adult ally to support youth in creating a national movement building network, because being connected to a national movement-building network will help improve our work locally, and because we're all committed to the same cause.

I am involved with the Free Minds, Free People Conference because it is the most powerful and liberatory educational collective I've ever encountered. To provide a rigorous, conscious and socially just education that encourages students to deconstruct the systems of oppression is the order of the the day!

I wanted to get involved with the planning of this conference because two years ago, when the conference came to Chicago, it was possibly the best thing that I had ever participated in then. I wanted the conference to get better, so when youth like myself go to this conference, they will be encouraged to help out for the next one.

I'm involved in the planning of Free Minds/Free People conference because I believe in the critical role that cultural arts plays for the freedom of young people of color worldwide. Our culture builds resistance, unity, develops consciousness, and creates health and vitality amongst our communities. I'm honored to be a part of this process.

Attending Free Minds, Free People in Chicago was an incredible experience because of the many opportunities to share and learn from so many people of all ages. I was inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of the great people I met. When one of the young people from Salt Lake City who was on the planning committee invited me to participate in the planning process, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of such a great conference at a more involved level.

What I liked most about Free Minds, Free People was how quickly a sense of community formed among people who didn't know each other and the general sense of energy at the meeting.

I’m currently a doctoral student at the University of Texas in Austin, and former math teacher in Brooklyn, NY. A lot of my work focuses on mathematics teaching for social justice and student empowerment, and I’m involved with FMFP because I’m always inspired when passionate students and educators come together.

Education for liberation is important to me because my children's world has to be better, more just and more free than the world I know. That freedom is more than an individual responsibility. It's a community effort that requires us to co-labor-ate, educate and empower ourselves and those around us.

Akin to breathing, I do this because I have to. “There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world I do think it's not asking too much for you to love..."
--Nikki Giovanni

Leigha Allen, Alyssia Ayala, Jamilyn Bailey, Michelle Barnes, Samantha Behen, Sean Castleberry, Daren Graves, Salina Gray, Eric “Rico” Gutstein, Sharee Johnson, Brett Murphy, Njeri Parker, Juan Parras, Devon Proctor, Megan Proctor,  Brystal Scurlock, Akilah Townsend