FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2022

Contact: press@campaignsharedfuture.org 

Campaign for Our Shared Future Launches Student Task Force

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF), a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on public education across the country, announced the launch of a Student Task Force. The task force convenes student leaders from across the country who care deeply about protecting a high-quality K-12 education that centers the needs of them and their peers. 

“I am thrilled that the Campaign for Our Shared Future is adding a remarkable group of proven student advocates to our team. These students have been leading the way for young people in their communities to advocate for the education they deserve,” said Heather Harding Ed.D., COSF executive director. “While extremist politicians have been launching repeated attacks on public education — banning books and silencing student voices — these young activists have been showing up to school board meetings and organizing their classmates. We are thrilled to partner with each of them to help stop the politicization of our schools once and for all.”

Each student was drawn to the Student Task Force for their own reasons, and each student boasts their own impressive accomplishments. One member, Cameron Samuels was raised in Texas and has been vocal in their fight against discrimination and censorship in the classroom. “Education must represent and support all students,” said Cameron Samuels, Student Task Force member. “This Task Force would provide me opportunities to support public policy to strengthen the commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion in education.” Earlier this year Samuels testified before the Texas Senate to address the whitewashing of the social studies curriculum and is serving as Youth Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week. 

Hylah Daly has been a powerful voice for the diverse Georgia community where she was raised. She sued her county over a lack of diverse representation on her local school board. “I joined the Student Task Force because I believe it is necessary for schools to give all students, regardless of background, a good school experience and take accountability for their actions when they do things that hinder a student's safety or ability to learn,” said Hylah Daly, Student Task Force member. “Most kids across the country attend or have attended public schools. I want to see what students across other states are dealing with, or fighting for, related to education justice and for us to be able to support each other.” 

After a national search, seven students were selected to join the inaugural task force, bringing together students from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. These young activists will partner with COSF to respond to attacks on K-12 education and guide COSF’s investments in building student power. The students on the task force will receive training and resources to take action in their own communities and become powerful education advocates.  

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The Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF) is a non-partisan effort to support high quality K-12 education and preserve access, inclusion, and meaningful content in our schools so that every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive. COSF is a common ground effort committed to fighting the attack on education across the country.