LONG BEACH, CA — (Sept. 30, 2026) — The Children’s Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA) is preparing to host a significant community gathering this Friday, bringing together local families, youth advocates, and educational stakeholders for an afternoon dedicated to civic engagement, systemic reform, and community empowerment. Titled “Rising Together: A Parent and Community Advocacy Forum on the Long Beach Report,” the upcoming event is designed to equip residents with practical tools and community-led solutions necessary for building lasting political influence and driving meaningful change within local public institutions.
The free public forum will take place at the headquarters of the local nonprofit organization Long Beach Forward, located at 2217 E 6th St. in Long Beach, California. Scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM PST, the gathering invites local parents, caregivers, and community members to engage directly with the findings of a comprehensive new report published by CDF-CA earlier this year.
The focal point of the afternoon’s discussion is CDF-CA’s landmark publication, titled “Rooted in Community, Rising Together: A Decade of Advocacy and Partnership in Long Beach.” Released in July 2026, the extensive report documents more than ten years of sustained education equity advocacy across the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). Beyond serving as a historical retrospective of local organizing, the document is specifically designed to function as a strategic blueprint for residents throughout Southern California, offering actionable insights on how communities can successfully organize to achieve systemic reforms that improve the overall well-being and academic outcomes of youth.
Rather than relying on traditional, one-way presentations, the forum is intentionally structured to center around active community participation and dialogue. Organizers have emphasized that the event will prioritize the voices and experiences of local parents and caregivers who are on the front lines of educational advocacy. Attendees will be guided through an accessible, easy-to-understand walkthrough of the report’s core findings, breaking down complex systemic issues into actionable knowledge for everyday citizens.
Among the critical subjects slated for discussion during the forum are systemic issues surrounding school discipline practices within the district. For years, education advocates have scrutinized how disciplinary policies disproportionately impact vulnerable student populations, making fair and restorative discipline a central pillar of reform efforts. In addition to school discipline, the forum will examine persistent achievement gaps that affect student success, evaluate current English learner outcomes, and highlight the ongoing impact of targeted equity initiatives such as the Black Student Achievement Initiative and the SaferLBUSD campaign.
The event highlights the ongoing partnership between CDF-CA and Long Beach Forward, two organizations deeply rooted in the fabric of the local community. By utilizing Long Beach Forward’s community space, the forum aims to provide an accessible, welcoming environment where residents feel empowered to voice their concerns, share their personal experiences within the educational system, and collaborate on collective solutions.
The timing of the forum comes at a crucial juncture for public education advocacy in Southern California, as communities continue to navigate the long-term impacts of shifting educational landscapes and seek out ways to ensure equitable resources for all students. By reflecting on a decade of progress while looking toward future challenges, the organizers hope to inspire a new wave of grassroots leadership among parents and caregivers.
Local media outlets, community stakeholders, and interested residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming forum to learn more about the findings of the Long Beach Report and to participate in discussions aimed at shaping a more equitable future for students across the region. For further information regarding the event or to connect with the organizers, John Henry, Media Relations Manager for the Children’s Defense Fund-California, can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 708-646-7679.
