Media Advisory: Civil Rights Leaders to Launch Campaign Pushing Back Against Gov. Youngkin’s Whitewashing of History 

Education News, Education Resources 04.5,22

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES 
Contact: 
The Leadership Conference Education Fund: Charmaine Riley, [email protected]
People For the American Way: Kawana Lloyd, 240-472-2860, [email protected] 
NAACP: Jonah Bryson, 443-202-5188, [email protected] 

WASHINGTON – The Leadership Conference Education Fund, NAACP, and People For the American Way will hold a joint press call on Wednesday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. ET, to launch a new campaign, Black History Is American History, an initiative to elevate the central role of Black history in America’s history and push back on the whitewashing efforts of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. The new campaign will invite Virginia families to submit their stories of support for an accurate teaching of history to the governor’s “tip line,” which was originally designed for the harmful purpose of targeting teachers who teach so-called “divisive” topics.  

Civil rights leaders will speak on Governor Youngkin’s attempt to whitewash history, deny our future leaders the information they need to create a more equitable society, and attack honest teaching. They will also speak out about similar efforts underway around the country. There will be time for reporter questions.

WHO:

  • Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
  • Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP
  • Svante Myrick, executive director, People For the American Way
  • Dr. Amy Tillerson-Brown, Virginia NAACP education chair
  • Dr. Wes Bellamy, Virginia parent and political science department chairman at Virginia State University

WHAT: 

  • Press call on Black History Is American History, an initiative to elevate the central role of Black history in America’s history and push back on the whitewashing efforts of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.

WHEN:

  • Wednesday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. ET

WHERE:

  • Reporters Dial-In: (+1) 888 886 7786

The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal and state policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. The Education Fund’s campaigns empower and mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the United States. It was founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. For more information on The Education Fund, visit civilrights.org/edfund/.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s largest and foremost grassroots civil rights organization. The mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights and social justice in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work by visiting naacp.org. 

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: pfaw.org. 

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