Today DonorsChoose.org, the crowdfunding non-profit that supports public school teacher’s classroom requests, announced their latest campaign: #ISeeMe, which is designed to mobilize support for teachers of color and inclusive learning materials in public school classrooms.

Research has indicated that children learn best when they see themselves in the classroom materials as well as in the teachers leading their classes.   DonorsChoose.org has partnered with a diverse group of philanthropists to help teachers of color fulfill their classroom needs and support teachers of all backgrounds who request materials that reflect their student’s identities.  Google.org is another partner in this effort, pledging $4 million dollars to match all public donations to these classroom project requests. So as donors contribute to the campaign, Google.org will double their donation dollars, making them go much further.

The #ISeeMe campaign is Co-Chaired by DonorsChoose.org board member Desirée Rogers and Carol Sutton Lewis (yours truly!).  It was announced today by Lupita Nyoung’o on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts, in front of a very enthusiastic crowd of young women from the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Atlanta.  You can see the announcement here, and read more about the initiative here. You can also visit the #ISeeMe website and read all about it.

I am so proud to be a part of this important effort, and encourage you all to learn more about it and support it if possible!