Freedom to Flourish: A Black Student Success Collective represents a transformative commitment by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) to uplift and empower Black students across the county. Grounded in the comprehensive findings of SCOE’s Landscape Analysis, this collective initiative directly addresses systemic barriers, fosters culturally responsive education, and rebuilds trust between schools and Black communities.

By implementing a multi-tiered system of support—spanning universal, targeted, and intensive strategies—SCOE equips educators, district leaders, and community partners with the tools needed to drive sustainable educational equity. Key focus areas include expanding access and representation, elevating student and family engagement, building accountability networks, and offering dedicated professional learning through key partnerships like 21CSLA and the Genius Initiative.

Through community speaker series, collaborative learning networks, and student voice platforms, Freedom to Flourish ensures every Black student in Sacramento County receives the resources, representation, and opportunity required to thrive.

2026–27 School Year Planned Activities

• Speaker Series: SCOE plans to host a speaker series featuring adult and youth speakers as well as panel discussions. The events will focus on uplifting Black student success, expanding historical knowledge, closing countywide knowledge gaps, and sharing resources and strategies in partnership with community organizations.
• Community of Practice for LEAs: Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) will convene throughout the year to share resources, exchange knowledge, and solve problems collaboratively. Community partners will co-facilitate sessions to highlight effective strategies and build collective capacity to support Black student success.
• Continuous Improvement Network: Pilot LEAs will be brought together to participate in a continuous improvement process tailored to advancing Black student success. LEAs and collaborating community partners will have designated opportunities to reflect on progress, align efforts, and share high-impact practices.

Calendar

• August 27, 2026 (4 p.m.–6 p.m.)—Join educators, students, families, and community partners for a community convening focused on the three proposed strands of support and activity to promote student success based on the recommendations from the Landscape Analysis. Register for the 8/27 community convening.
• October 6–8, 2026 (9 a.m.–4 p.m.)—Free SCOE 21CSLA Genius Initiative professional learning event featuring professor and author Yolanda Sealy Ruiz, Ph.D. Register for the 10/6–10/8 Genius Initiative event.