Get in Touch

the1954project@thecafegroup.org

Get in Touch

the1954project@thecafegroup.org

GET IN TOUCH

Embracing
‍Black Excellence
to fulfill the Promise of a High-Quality Education for all.

The 1954 Project is an education philanthropy initiative for diverse Black leaders, led by the Black community in partnership with those who share our values.

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2023 Luminary Awards

Watch the third annual 1954 Project Luminary Awards now!

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About The 1954 PROJECT
Meet the Visionary Leaders Building a Brighter Future

Our signature grantees are called Luminaries because of their brilliance and how their work shines a light on a future that affirms our culture and benefits all students.

The 1954 Project Luminaries and Finalists are building upon the national promise of a high-quality, well-funded education for all students.

MEET THE LUMINARIES
Alexandra Bernadotte

Founder & ceo
Beyond 12
2023 Luminary

Carmita Semaan

Founder & Ceo
Surge institute
2023 Luminary

Chris Chatmon

Founder & ceo
Kingmakers of oakland
2023 Luminary

Brittany Young

Founder & ceo
b-360
2023 Luminary

Reuben Ogbonna

executive director
marcy lab, inc.
2023 Luminary

News
Announcing the 2023 Winners of the McNulty Prize
Luminary Aimée Eubanks Davis Named a '23 Winner!
Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance Envisions a Bright Future
Black teachers want (and need) mentors
PBS NewsHour, featuring Sharif El-Mekki
UNWAVERING: THE POWER OF BLACK INNOVATION
B-360: HOW DIRT BIKE CULTURE AND STEM EDUCATION ARE TRANSFORMING BROKEN SYSTEMS
KINGMAKERS OF OAKLAND: TRANSFORMING AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT FAILS BLACK BOYS
1954 PROJECT AWARDS $5 MILLION TO BLACK LEADERS IN EDUCATION
Nikole Hannah-Jones to Introduce 3rd Annual Luminary Awards
SURGE INSTITUTE: BY DEVELOPING LEADERS OF COLOR IN EDUCATION, MORE COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE
The Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois for 2023
THE MARCY LAB SCHOOL: FUELING ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH ALTERNATIVE HIGHER EDUCATION
GENERATION HOPE EXPANDING TEEN PREGNANCY RESOURCES INTO NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans nonprofit supporting Black educators gets Goldman Sachs grant
Nonprofit takes a two-generation approach to student success
KCS Partners with The Calculus Project to Get Underrepresented Students Excited about Math
Philadelphia School District, Center for Black Educator Development aim to increase number of Black male teachers
Black Girl Magic Digital Summit
Aimée Eubanks Davis named as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Social Impact
NONPROFIT BRAVEN AWARDED ON THE FORBES AMERICA’S BEST STARTUP EMPLOYERS 2022 LIST
How to Build Your Network as a First-Generation Student
Pa. schools are broken. The outcome of the funding lawsuit won’t change that.
The Bloc: Giving Youth on Chicago’s West Side a Fighting Chance
BE NOLA: Supporting Black Educators to Build a Thriving Community
The Knowledge House: Diversifying Talent Pipelines in Technology
Re-engineering STEM Education to Serve BIPOC Girls
Cedric the Entertainer to Introduce 2nd Annual Luminary Awards on April 28
After 1954: Five-Part Podcast Series by Lemonada
"Giving Hope And Care To Student Parents"
The Calculus Project's Adrian Mims Featured on WBUR Panel
Luminary Shares His Experience and Expertise on Black and Brown Representation in STEM Fields
Luminaries Collaborate with Fellow Black Leaders for "One Million Teachers of Color"
Luminary-Led Center for Black Educator Development Key Partner in New Initiative
Center for Black Educator Development Launches Campaign to Increase Number of Black Teachers
Class of 2021 Luminary Sharif El-Mekki Highlights Campaign's Importance
National Nonprofit Braven, Led by Luminary Aimee Eubanks Davis, Expands Programming to Spelman College
Spelman is Braven's First HBCU Partner
2021 Luminaries Come Together for Learning and Collaboration

SEE ALL NEWS

GALLERY

See photos of The 1954 Project
programming in action

Former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Janice Jackson, speaks to the Luminary Network during the 2022 Network Summit.
Our Luminary Network visits 2022 Luminary Jamyle Cannon's organization facility, The Bloc.
Hiewet Senghor, Founder and CEO of the Black Teacher Collaborative, reacts to the news she has been selected as a 2021 Luminary.
Acasia Wilson Feinberg, The 1954 Project's Founding Executive Director, meets with the 2021 Luminaries.
Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder and CEO of Generation Hope, reacts when she learns she has been selected as a 2021 Luminary.
Liz Thompson, President of the CAFE Group, welcomes The 1954 Project's inaugural Luminaries.
Friends of The 1954 Project, Magic and Cookie Johnson, address the 2021 Luminary Awards guests.
The 1954 Project's inaugural Luminaries shared words of encouragement and congratulations with their peers.
The 1954 Project's November 2021 Luminary Convening brought our leaders together for learning, brainstorming, and professional development.
Sharif El-Mekki, 2021 Luminary, talks about his experiences as a leader with The 1954 Project guests and funding partners.
GALLERY

See photos of The 1954 Project
programming in action

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