CDF Black Community Crusade for Children

THE BLACK COMMUNITY Crusade for Children (BCCC) is an initiative of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), which is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization aimed at providing a head start for all American children and the creation of generations of young people able to achieve political and personal freedom.

As part of the CDF, the BCCC was created to “weave and reweave the rich fabric of community that historically has been the cornerstone of the healthy development of black children. Tap into and strengthen the strong black community tradition of self-help. Rebuild the bridges between generations and between the black middle class and poor. Assist and galvanize current black leadership around specific goals for children. Identify, train, nurture, link, and empower a new generation of effective black servant-leaders younger than 30.” There has been concern that breakdown of relations between generations and classes in the African-American community has contributed to increased inequality and social problems.

BCCC programs include the Student Leadership Network for Children, the Ella Barker Child Policy Training Institute, and the CDF Freedom Schools. One of these schools is the CDF Haley Farm program, which features community building; spiritual, character, and leadership development; intergenerational mentoring; interracial and interethnic communication; interdisciplinary networking, and training.

The activities held to further BCCC objectives include community building; spiritual, character, and leadership development; intergenerational mentoring; interracial and interethnic communication; interdisciplinary networking; and training. The Social Leadership Network for Children is a partnership of college interns and faculties that helps operate the CDF's Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute and the CDF's Freedom Schools.

These are aimed at producing generations of young people willing and able to celebrate academic and societal achievements and to work toward the continued need for the emancipation of black people from poverty and discrimination. It is connected on several levels with faith-based organizations, more especially as many preachers articulate the link between faith and the need for social justice and equality.

One of the focal points of this collaboration is the Annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor Training Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry, which is due to meet for the 12th year in July 2006. Morning devotions and periods of meditation and prayer will be mixed with more practical workshops, training sessions, and information exchange aimed at revivifying advocates and activists who may have found their enthusiasm waning as a result of constant opposition and the relentless stream of evidence of increasing inequality in American society. The [Page 134]BCCC offices are located in Washington, D.C., and also in Jackson, Mississippi.