Charles Cole

Jan 15, 2025 | edpost.com | Charles Cole

It’s that time of year. Get ready for the whitewashing and sanitary retellings of who MLK was and what his holiday should mean. Instead of spending another year starting and stopping at “I Have a Dream,” let’s approach this civil rights icon and his legacy with some common sense for our people. Martin Luther King Jr. worked closely with President Lyndon B. Johnson, a man who came from a deeply segregated South and held biases many of us would rightly call unacceptable today.

Oct 2, 2024 | ccoleiii.medium.com | Charles Cole

Charles Cole, III·Follow3 min read·--Written By Charles Cole, IIIThe presidential and vice-presidential debates have come and gone, and one glaring issue was absent from the conversation: education. Not a single candidate stood on stage and meaningfully addressed how we’re preparing the next generation. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but education — one of the most critical aspects of our society — is left in the margins, as if it doesn’t affect every other issue.

Jun 6, 2024 | edpost.com | Charles Cole

In Oakland, we are facing a critical challenge that threatens the future of our students: the stark disconnect between the grades they receive and their actual proficiency in essential subjects like math and reading. It's disheartening to see our students striving for high grades only to discover that these grades don't always accurately reflect their understanding of the material according to grade-level standards.

Feb 7, 2024 | greatschoolvoices.org | Charles Cole

As I reflect on the recent announcement by The Mind Trust about the $50,000 Go Farther Literacy Fund awards, my heart swells with an indescribable sense of pride. This initiative, now a beacon of hope and support for families in Indianapolis, echoes a journey that began with a deep, personal understanding of the challenges faced by families in need. The Go Farther Literacy Fund, now instrumental in promoting literacy in Indianapolis, has its roots in my own experiences.

Sep 19, 2023 | greatschoolvoices.org | Charles Cole

My name is Charles, and I am the founder of Energy Convertors. We are a youth and community-focused organization focused on improving education by cultivating agency in youth, their families, schools, and communities. We were fortunate to be featured in the new Black Youth Development (BYD) website highlighting organizations focusing on Black youth development in and around Oakland. I moved to Oakland when I was about 10 years old. It was a struggle.