Schools Not Prisons & BMOC
A successful youth-grassroots driven campaign to transform school discipline practices, transform justice systems, and center Boys & Young Men of Color.
#SchoolsNotPrisons partners helped transform the public narrative surrounding harsh school discipline by calling attention to systemic challenges and potential solutions, championing non-violence and youth activism and urging families to join the movement.
BHC partners advocated for more equitable funding of California’s schools through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) policy, which resulted in much-needed increased per-pupil spending and lower teacher-to-student ratios. Moreover, partners played an important role in implementing the policy to ensure that new dollars directly benefited students and families most-in-need. BHC led a powerful campaign to improve school climate, change the public narrative and raise awareness surrounding the “school-to-prison pipeline” and end harsh and overly punitive school discipline policies.
Alternatives such as restorative justice, healing, and other trauma-informed practices encompass a growing social movement to institutionalize non-punitive, relationship-centered approaches for avoiding and addressing harm, responding to violations of legal and human rights, and collaboratively solving problems.
When used in schools to address the root causes of harmful behavior, these approaches help find solutions that make it right for all parties involved without the student losing class time.
The work yielded a 50% decrease in suspensions statewide, contributing to more in-class time for teaching and learning. This school climate effort may have also contributed to an improvement in school graduation rates.
-
Millions
of people reached through the campaign since 2016 -
Hundreds
of artists connected with grassroots, youth-serving orgs -
100,000+
attended 30+ free arts & music festivals -
50%
Decrease in Suspensions Statewide
“We’ve seen what happens when young people have a chance to heal from trauma, to lead, and to create a vision for the kind of world they, and we, all want to live in.”
DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross
Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years
Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted
Youth Awards 37 total awards given
Farmworker Health $50M initiative
TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded
Parks for All Hundreds of millions leveraged for parks investments in CA
Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board
Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities
CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA
Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs
Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce
TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year
Wishing Wall
Dr. Ross,
I love you!! Thank you for being a servant to the people. Lives are better because you came into the world.
Thank you for seeding so much change in the world, Dr. Ross!
Mil gracias from planned parenthood! We love you!
Dr. Ross,
Thank you for all that you have done to advance justice and equity in our communities.
Dr. Ross,
Well wishes on this next adventure! Enjoy this time!
- Stephanie Ghayouri
Dang Bob! You really leaving? You really reading all this good stuff?! Ok man! Among so many of the things I already said, you baaaad, Dude. Much love!
You inspired me to keep endeavoring in education even when it's hard. Thank you.
Dr. Ross! Congrats on your transition. I am grateful for the opportunity to have grown up with your support. You inspired me to chase my dreams.
- Corleone (BMoC)
Thank you for all of the years of big ideas and humble connection.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for your incredible and bold leadership for equity and justice! It has catalyzed so much and the ripple effects will be felt for longer than you can imagine. Thanks also for being a personal inspiration to me and our organization’s work. We’ll all try to carry on the pathway you forged. Best wishes in all your next endeavors.
Yours,
- Alex Rossides
We wish you well wishes.
- Brotherhood Crusade
Bob -
We’ll miss you so much. You’ve been a force of nature and a force of beauty.
Love you,
- Jim Mangia
Blessed to be a part of your celebration and life, Bob!
For many years, I have known how special you are! Thanks.
Blessings upon blessings! Looking forward to all your journey takes you!
Thank you for your guidance and leadership!
I wish that you receive as much as you’ve provided to so many.
Much love,
- Steve Delgado
Thank you for all your work!
- Olga (FBHC)
Dearest Dr. Ross,
May you be happy in the next phase of your life.
- Susan
Thank you for all your support for the ACA, #Health4All, and everything else.
Unveiling Our
2025 Annual
Report
The California Endowment is proud to present our 2025 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.
View Report