BK2BAMA Year 9

BK2BAMA is back for its ninth year!

MISSION STATEMENT

BK2BAMA strives to develop proud, confident, proactive young leaders, who recognize and embrace the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. To that end, BK2BAMA intimately exposes students to the rich history of the modern Civil Rights Movement and engages them in the ongoing efforts being made to build a more equitable, just, tolerant America and world.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Selected eighth graders spend a week in Alabama and Georgia, visiting historic sites relating to Black history and the Civil Rights Movement, while also learning about the current challenges facing America and people of color in particular. Students meet with leaders and foot soldiers of the Movement, both past and present. In the months preceding the trip, students attend twice weekly meetings and field trips to prepare.

STUDENT POPULATION

All students attend Uncommon Bed-Stuy East Middle School (UBEM), a Title I charter school run entirely on public funds. BSC operates on a per pupil budget equal to that of any other New York City public school. During the 2023-2024 school year, 72% of BSC students qualified for free lunch and an additional 1% receive reduced priced lunch. The BSC student population identified as 70% Black or African American, 39% Hispanic, 7% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3% multiracial, 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 2% Asian. BK2BAMA is proud to include students receiving special teacher support services. While BSC is not directly connected to BK2BAMA or in no way liable for any BK2BAMA programming, BK2BAMA students all attend BSC.

PROGRAM FINANCING

BK2BAMA is funded entirely by student and faculty fundraising and relies on the generosity of its donors. Families are not required to contribute anything. While in Alabama and Georgia BK2BAMA patronizes almost exclusively Black-owned and operated businesses.

BK2BAMA is currently working with Milbank LLP to apply for charitable 501(c)(3) status.

For more information, visit our website, bk2bama.org, and follow us on Instagram at @bk2bama.