2022 Applications
Opening Soon!

The CAFÉ Fellow program will soon be accepting applications for its inaugural 2022 cohort.
“We aim to connect Black and Latin X Leaders in education or education adjacent leaders to the resources and social networks they need to thrive"
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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 our allies.

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2022 Luminary Awards

Watch the second 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 these phenomenal leaders' brilliance. Their work shines a light on a future that affirms our culture and our 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
Adrinda Kelly

Executive director
Black Education for New Orleans
2022 Luminary

Nikole Collins-Puri

Nikole collins-puri
CEO, Techbridge girls
2022 Luminary

William Jackson

Executive director
village of wisdom
2022 Luminary

Jamyle Cannon

Founder and executive director
The bloc
2022 Luminary

Jerelyn Rodriguez

FOUNDER AND CEO
the knowledge house fellowship
2022 Luminary

News
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

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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