The Power of Us

GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION CENTER

You have the power to shape the future of our community. Join the movement to promote education justice and chart a path to improved outcomes for all students. 

Building Bridges.
Breaking Barriers.

An opportunity for bright minds to come together and participate in meaningful and insightful conversation, build valuable partnerships, and align on efforts to systematically improve the education landscape.

The Path to
Education Justice.

Join us as we shine a light on transformative education initiatives happening in communities across the state! This conference is your opportunity to be part of the solution.

Building Bridges.
Breaking Barriers.

An opportunity for bright minds to come together and participate in meaningful and insightful conversation, build valuable partnerships, and align on efforts to systematically improve the education landscape.

The Path to
Education Justice.

Join us as we shine a light on transformative education initiatives happening in communities across the state! This conference is your opportunity to be part of the solution.

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2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade

April 8th

Professor, San Francisco State University

If there is one thing that Jeff Duncan-Andrade knows for sure, it’s this: If you find something that’s not working, change it. And that’s exactly what he has done. The longtime urban educator, researcher and activist felt that students in his community in East Oakland, California, who are mostly Black and Latinx, weren’t getting the education they deserved. So Duncan-Andrade, a teacher and professor of Latina/o Studies and Race and Resistance Studies at San Francisco State University, co-founded a new school—the Roses in Concrete Community School. It’s a school that centers the wellness of its students above everything else—responding to the unique needs of the community as the pathway to social and academic rigor. Duncan-Andrade also co-founded the Community Responsive Education Group and the Teaching Excellence Network (TEN) to support schools and districts to build and support similar practices in their communities.

Erin Jones

April 9th

Author, Bridges to Heal Us

Erin Jones has worked in and around schools in different capacities for over 30 years. She has worked and done consultation for non-profits, government agencies and businesses. She has worked and lived in 5 states, from the East Coast to the Midwest to the West Coast, in communities that were predominantly White communities to communities that were predominantly Black communities to those that boasted dozens of languages and cultures. She has been recognized locally and nationally for her work in education and equity. She has also received recognition as an athlete and was invited to try out for two WNBA teams. After 20 years of playing soccer and 35 years of playing basketball, Erin now runs long distances and is devoted to regular Orange Theory workouts. Erin and her husband, James, have been married for almost 30 years and have three adult children – two who work in education and one who designs video games.

 

Register Today for COF 2025!

Confirm your seat today for the fifth annual Charting Our Future conference on April 8-9 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Join us as we ignite change in education together! Network with bright minds, discover game-changing initiatives, and shape the future of learning.

EARLY BIRD

(valid February 13 – March 31)

STANDARD ADMISSION

Register Today for COF 2025!

Confirm your seat today for the fifth annual Charting Our Future conference on April 8-9 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Join us as we ignite change in education together! Network with bright minds, discover game-changing initiatives, and shape the future of learning.

EARLY BIRD

(valid February 13 – March 31)

STANDARD ADMISSION

Are there any discounts or scholarships available?

The Foundation for Tacoma Students is committed to ensuring the conference is accessible to anyone who wants to attend. Please email your request to conference@graduatetacoma.org describing why you would like to attend, which date(s) you are interested in attending and the financial need (full scholarship, partial scholarship, etc.)

Charting Our Future Over the Years

Local Focus, Statewide Impact

In 2024, COF brought together youth-centered organizations, thought leaders, and passionate advocates from across the education ecosystem to harness the power of community-driven initiatives to drive systemic change.

Empowering Equitable Futures

In 2023, the third annual COF conference focused around opportunities to scale efforts throughout the county to create conditions for success. Speakers and workshops explored what it would take to create a truly equitable education system.

Changing Systems, Changing Lives

In 2022, the Foundation for Tacoma Students brought together over 300 community partners, for the first time post-pandemic. We were joined by nearly 60 speakers leading powerful discussions around Changing Systems, Changing Lives.

Race, Justice, and the Education System

In April 2021, the Foundation for Tacoma Students hosted its first inaugural Charting Our Future conference. Over 500 educators, partners, leaders, and community members joined the 3-day virtual event to focus on one theme: Race, Justice & the Education System.

Empowering Equitable

Thank you to our generous sponsors!