By Martine Blake
As a new member of the EdTrust-West Team, I eagerly looked forward to this year’s Ed Equity Forum. I’d expected lively conversations and important discussions, but the connections and action planning I witnessed in just a few days were even greater than I anticipated. What struck me most was the powerful sense of community and shared purpose that filled every space. The Forum was a refreshing reminder of what is possible when we come together in community to learn from one another, strengthen one another, and channel our collective passion, expertise, and advocacy toward creating the opportunities and outcomes every student deserves.
Education Equity Forum
Days in San Diego
Educators, researchers & advocates
Years of EdTrust-West
Back Where It Began
EdTrust-West hosted the very first Forum in San Diego in 2017, and I know returning there brought the team a deep sense of perspective. Returning to the same city for our 6th gathering let advocates and the team see how much this community has grown. EdTrust-West has expanded our reach, hosted more sessions, and welcomed more advocates than in those early days. Yet our core mission remains unchanged.
Over two days, hundreds of educators, researchers, policy experts, and community organizers came together to share strategies on how California schools and colleges can better serve students of color, students from low-income communities, and multilingual learners.
Advocacy Works
The energy was undeniable. Everywhere I looked, attendees networked, shared insights, and built action plans to take them back to their own campuses and communities. EdTrust-West’s Executive Director, Dr. Christopher J. Nellum, set the tone immediately as we kicked off the Forum’s first day by grounding us in a simple truth: equity is about meeting student needs, and advocacy works. The pushback against equity initiatives is not evidence of failure; it is evidence that change is happening. Drawing from his own journey, he reminded us that real change often comes from love, is sustained through sacrifice, and is advanced by people willing to be courageous in the face of resistance. More importantly, Dr. Nellum challenged us not to let this moment make us fearful or complacent, but to strengthen our collective resolve to keep showing up for students. That message echoed throughout the Forum and set the stage for what came next. Later in the day, our lunch keynote, Darryl Bellamy Jr., challenged us to think differently about fear, reframing it as a catalyst for action rather than a barrier.
“The pushback against equity initiatives is not evidence of failure; it is evidence that change is happening.”
— Dr. Christopher J. Nellum, Executive Director, EdTrust-West
From What We’re Fighting For to How We Win
Our closing plenary session panelists detailed the tactical strategy behind major policy wins across California, highlighting expanded access to community schools, financial aid, and bilingual education. They moved the conversation from what we are fighting for to exactly how we secure those wins, emphasizing the importance of organizing, coalition building, and unrelenting persistence. They made it clear that progress never happens automatically; it requires listening, coalitions, constant pressure, and strategic coordination. We’re doubling down on that message with a new way to stay connected with the latest advocacy efforts for students in California. Click here to join EdTrust-West Action Alerts and receive opportunities for collective action.
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25 Years and Counting
This year was particularly special because it marked the 25th anniversary of EdTrust-West. Celebrating this milestone surrounded by such dedicated advocates felt fitting. You can read more about the impact of our last two and a half decades in our recent blog post highlighting how we create change.
We left San Diego with immense gratitude for everyone who attended and a renewed clarity for the work ahead. Thank you to the hundreds of attendees, the dozens of speakers and presenters, and the EdTrust-West team and event organizers who worked tirelessly over the past year!
Martine Blake is EdTrust-West’s Deputy Director of External Affairs.
