Chicago Freedom School

Chicago Freedom School Co-Empowering with youth, Honoring the past, Building movements for change

Founded in 2007, the mission of the Chicago Freedom School is to cultivate and amplify the leadership of Black and Brown youth as the envision and organize toward collective healing and liberation. Grounded in the legacy of liberatory learning spaces including freedom schools during 1964 Freedom Summer in Mississippi, CFS equips young people and adults with the tools to develop actionable strategi

es for social change. We work from four core frameworks: co-empowerment with youth, anti-oppression practices, transformative justice, and healing justice. Our youth programs include the Freedom Fellowship, Project HealUs, Northstar Liberatory Training Collective and Youth Organizing. Beyond our youth programs, we provide training to groups and institutions interested in anti-oppression practices and movement building.

04/10/2026

“One day our current events will be history and you get to decide how you’re gonna show up.”

CIRCLE UP with CFS alum and Project HealUs Coordinator, Naya!

Come CIRCLE UP with Chicago Freedom School. Your monthly gift is an act of solidarity that provides consistent support, ...
04/09/2026

Come CIRCLE UP with Chicago Freedom School. Your monthly gift is an act of solidarity that provides consistent support, care, and resources for Black and Brown youth organizing toward liberation in Chicago.

04/08/2026

"CIRCLE UP!"
CFS Executive Director, Tony Alvarado-Rivera invites YOU to circle up in solidarity and partnership with Chicago's Black & Brown youth.

Grateful for the Abolitionist Convening organizing space hosted by Doing Justice Collaborative, , , and  this past Satur...
02/10/2025

Grateful for the Abolitionist Convening organizing space hosted by Doing Justice Collaborative, , , and this past Saturday.

Attendees heard status updates from various fronts of abolitionist struggle in Chicago, and we had the opportunity to share their own insights about the current terrain to help strengthen our ecosystem of organizing and resistance.

CFS was present with two new high school Youth Organizing Fellows alongside our ED, Youth Leadership Board rep, Parish, and CFS intern, Krystal. ✊🏽

The Chicago Freedom School team met briefly today to hold space with each other and figure out what we wanted to say to ...
11/06/2024

The Chicago Freedom School team met briefly today to hold space with each other and figure out what we wanted to say to ourselves and our community: REST. We'll get into the work soon enough, but for today, we urge for ourselves and our communities: REST. We love you. Take care of yourself and those you love

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY FOR COMMUNITY TICKET PRICES TO THIS YEAR'S MOMENTS OF JUSTICE.FRIENDS! Chicago Freedom School's...
09/29/2024

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY FOR COMMUNITY TICKET PRICES TO THIS YEAR'S MOMENTS OF JUSTICE.

FRIENDS! Chicago Freedom School's annual fundraiser, Moments of Justice is set for Thursday, October 10! There will be plenty of hors d'oeuvres, an open cocktail bar, live performances, a silent auction, dancing, and LOOKS FOR DAYS!
The night that has been coined "the social justice prom of the season" would not be possible without the solidarity and support of adults and elders like YOU who believe in and support the power and organizing of Black and Brown youth.

What makes the night a success-honestly-is seeing our community there with us...holding us up. You still have time to purchase $50 and $80 community level tickets. After Monday ticket sales will GO UP!

It is the 60th Annivesary of Freedom Summer and I am SO EXCITED to share our special Champions of Justice award recipient news with you--SOON... EEK! SEE YOU IN 10 DAYS!

Y’all ready for gala season?Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Chicago Freedom School Moments of Justice Ga...
09/24/2024

Y’all ready for gala season?

Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Chicago Freedom School Moments of Justice Gala!

Tickets for the community, which includes educators, students, and organizers, can buy early bird tickets for only $50 until midnight on Monday, October 1, 2024. Tickets go up to $75 on October 2nd.

General admission tickets are only $80 until midnight on Monday, October 1, 2024. Tickets go up to $125 on October 2nd.

This year’s Moments of Justice is a special one, as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the very first Freedom Schools in Mississippi!

We hope you’ll join us at the 2024 Moments of Justice Gala and celebrate with us all the ways we support young people in taking action for justice in their personal lives and communities.

Shout out to the brilliant and compassionate summer interns of the  for modeling the importance of alternative learning ...
08/18/2024

Shout out to the brilliant and compassionate summer interns of the for modeling the importance of alternative learning spaces. Much love to Dr. Fannie Rushing (2019 Champions of Justice Recipient and Chicago SNCC History Project) and Dr. Foster for their mentorship. We were reminded of the learning and leadership from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee members in understanding Zionism and the importance to resist and organize against settler colonialism. CFS is excited to continue partnering with the Chicago SNCC History Project to carry the many lessons forward. Thank you to the for hosting such a necessary dialogue and action.

Image 1: Intergenerational crew of multiracial/multiethnic intend and faculty of Benedictine University posing for a group picture.
Image 2: Intern standing at the center of the room sharing the connections of SNCC, anti-apartheid movement, and the genocide in Gaza.
Image 3: Intern standing at the center of the room presenting on “settler colonialism”.
Image 4: Catherine Murphy and Dr. Fannie Rushing discussing the importance of preserving SNCC history.
Image 5: Dr. Foster and Dr. James Garrett discussing scholarship and organizing of the 1960’s and now.

Please come and join the conversation about one of the most important issues in the world with contemporary social justi...
08/16/2024

Please come and join the conversation about one of the most important issues in the world with contemporary social justice advocates and change makers, Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., at Catholic Theological Union, 5416 S. Cornell, Chicago, Illinois.
Sponsored by; The Chicago SNCC History Project, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, and Chicago Freedom School.

📣📣📣 Join on October 10th at Ovation as we celebrate and raise funds radical youth leadership, youth organizing, and crea...
08/01/2024

📣📣📣 Join on October 10th at Ovation as we celebrate and raise funds radical youth leadership, youth organizing, and creating a hub for liberatory education. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🤩🥳

Early Bird tickets are on sale now!!

➡➡➡ Go to https://bit.ly/MOJ2024 for tickets and sponsorships.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

➡➡➡📅 Mark your calendars! Moments of Justice Early Bird Tickets go on sale on August 1st! Join us as we celebrate and ra...
07/26/2024

➡➡➡📅 Mark your calendars! Moments of Justice Early Bird Tickets go on sale on August 1st! Join us as we celebrate and raise funds for radical youth leadership, youth organizing, and liberatory education.

If you or your employer may want to be a sponsor, you can get tickets now!

➡➡➡ Go to https://bit.ly/MOJ2024 for more information.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

We are so grateful to be part of such a dedicated, brilliant, and caring community. When we come together, it is 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!!...
07/16/2024

We are so grateful to be part of such a dedicated, brilliant, and caring community. When we come together, it is 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! Truly a salve of joy and connection in these times.

So...mark your calendars! ➡➡ Moments of Justice is coming October 10th and Early Bird Tickets go on sale in TWO WEEKS - starting August 1st!

Help us raise $50,000 to support youth organizing, healing, and liberation. There will be food and drinks, a radical silent auction, and dancing!!

While individual tickets go on sale August 1st, sponsorships and ticket donations for youth to attend are available NOW.

Go to: https://bit.ly/MOJ2024

Can't wait to celebrate with you!

Address

1727 South Indiana Avenue
Chicago, IL
60616

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+13124351201

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