About Us
Unapologetically Demanding Excellence for OUR ChildrenInspiration in Every Turn
Our responsibility is to challenge and dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality across education, housing, healthcare, and more. We must hold leaders accountable to ensure that every community has access to quality education, a safe environment, and opportunities for economic and social well-being. True justice means creating conditions where all people can live with dignity, freedom, and possibility—where every community has the power to shape its own future.
What we do?
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CPU holds monthly community meetings to educate and empower the parents and caregivers of Camden, NJ public schools about policy, curriculum, parent and student’s rights and much more.
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We travel to different schools throughout the school district advocating and organizing for issues and concerns for parents and students in that school.
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We create an environment for every parent to know that their concerns are important. It is always our practice to find out what the parents and students want to do and where the CPU can help.
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We lend a helping hand of solidarity to other community organizations and unions in our efforts to continue to show a unified front to the community.​
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CPU travels nationally to conferences, protests and rallies to speak about our experiences in Camden NJ and also to continue in our efforts to establish that the dismantling of public education is not acceptable.
Our Story
May 14, 2014, hundreds of Camden students rallied on the front steps of the administration building in protest of deep staff cuts at the struggling city school district and the superintendent announced plans to lay off 272 staff members including 206 teachers . The walkout started at Camden High School around noon. Students left school early and traveled by foot two miles to the administration building in downtown Camden. Students held signs and chanted as they made their way to North Front Street, where they shouted for Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard to come out and address their concerns. The crowd — which included band members playing music — spanned the length of Haddon Avenue at times.​ Parents and community activists were helping students through traffic as they walked near Cooper University Hospital, but made it clear this was a student-motivated rally."The students of Camden public schools are tired of being in the middle of this war," Dickerson said. "They feel like all the teachers they love are being fired and they are not being included in the process." It was at that moment Camden Parent & Student Union was born. Camden's children lifted their voices and we vowed to be the protectors and amplifiers of those voices for them and their families.
Our Team.
Meet the Dedicated Team Advocating for Better Education in Camden
Ronsha A. Dickerson
Executive Director
Bro. Faheem Lea
Community Liason
Byheijja R. Sabree
Chief Operating Officer
Amina Sabree
Program Coordinator
Valerie Y. Baylor
Program Coordinator
Nelson
Research & Policy
OUR FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
(Nguzo Saba Framework as development by Dr. Maulana Karenga)
Umoja
(Unity)
We believe in collective strength. We build unity among parents, students, and residents to face challenges together and amplify community power.
Ujamaa
(Cooperative Economics)
We invest in us. We support sustainable community-led solutions, collaborations, and partnerships that strengthen Camden’s future.
Imani
(Faith)
We believe in us. We hold unwavering faith in the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Camden families to transform our schools and community.
Kujichagulia
(Self-Determination)
We speak for ourselves. We tell our own stories, set our own agenda, and ensure Camden’s narrative reflects the voices of Camden residents.
Nia
(Purpose)
We act with intention. Our purpose is to build excellent public schools, truthful journalism, and a just Camden where every child can thrive.
Ujima
(Collective Work & Responsibility)
We rise together. We take responsibility for our schools and community, ensuring all voices are heard in decision-making spaces.
Kuumba
(Creativity)
We reimagine what is possible. Through innovative organizing, cultural expression, and independent media, we create new ways to inform, and inspire.
Our Sponsors
Who we are
We are a group of concerned Camden parents, care givers and guardians that work diligently advocating for better education, safer schools, equal funding, maximum resources and inclusion in any decisions that are made for our children’s education.
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