Ten years ago, our foundations came together to work alongside community partners to improve the health and well-being of boys and men of color in California, particularly those impacted by racial, economic and geographic inequities.

Over the past decade, we’ve helped expand opportunity, shift narratives and build systems that center healing and accountability rather than punishment and harm. That progress is now being threatened by short-sighted, cruel and counterproductive policies that make our communities less safe, less just and less prepared for the future.

The recent executive order, Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies, contradicts everything we know works. Under the guise of “nondiscrimination,” it promotes punitive discipline while threatening to defund schools that use equity-informed practices, undermining years of work to reduce racial disparities in school discipline and improve school climate for everyone.

Thanks to the advocacy of boys and young men of color, and their families and communities, California has cut suspensions in half while increasing graduation rates and test scores. These outcomes result from deliberate, evidence-based efforts to create healthier, more supportive school environments for all students, especially those who have historically been pushed out of classrooms.

This shift has been embraced by educators, school leaders, students and parents who have seen firsthand the power of restorative and transformative justice to make schools safer, more inclusive and more conducive to learning. Rolling back this progress under the false claim of a “discriminatory equity ideology” ignores the data and puts students at risk. Equity is not the problem: it is the pathway to fairness, inclusion and opportunity for all.

California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC) was created to change the narrative—to see boys and men of color not as threats, but as assets. They are our sons, brothers, fathers, neighbors and friends. Together, we have:

• Transformed school discipline policies to reduce exclusion and increase connection
• Advanced criminal justice reform that prioritizes rehabilitation and second chances
• Expanded economic opportunity through youth employment and community investment
• Supported mental health and wellness programs tailored to the unique needs of boys and young men of color
• Shifted narratives and increased visibility of youth leadership across the state

Today, 18 foundations remain committed to this vision. Yet the current administration is rolling back the progress made by attempting to ban diversity and equity efforts, eliminate civil rights protections, militarize police, and threaten critical funding for early childhood education, special education and school meals in communities that need it most. They are actively reversing the progress we’ve fought to build.

The administration has also slashed funding for violence prevention, civic service programs, career and technical education, and cut $1 billion in youth mental health supports. These are not actions of a government committed to school safety, but part of a broader effort to dismantle the social safety net, weaken public education, and demonize immigrants and people of color.

Still, we remain hopeful. Our recent 10-year anniversary celebration reminded us of the power of solidarity. We know that together, we can reimagine a better future, fight for it and win.

As funders and advocates, we call on philanthropy, policymakers and school officials to lean into this moment, continue the positive work we’re doing together and support organizations fighting for justice. We will not let the fear and confusion generated by the federal administration derail our work to build a better future for boys and men of color—and for all of us.

This statement is signed by nine CFBMoC member foundations, reaffirming our shared commitment to equity and justice in education and beyond.