Posted on June 3, 2023
Our May grantees thank you for your support
Each month, CREDO members vote on how we distribute funding to three incredible nonprofits. Those small actions add up – with one click, you can help fund groups fighting for climate justice, survivors of domestic violence, and paid leave. In May, CREDO members voted to distribute our monthly donation among Friends of the Earth Action, National Domestic Violence Hotline and Paid Leave for All.
These donations are made possible by CREDO customers and the revenue they generate by using our services. The distribution depends entirely on the votes of CREDO members like you. And for that, our April grant recipients thank you.
Friends of the Earth Action
“Thank you for voting for Friends of the Earth Action! CREDO members like you are fueling our work for climate justice. You are empowering us to push leaders for a fair and equitable solution to the climate crisis – one that puts people over profits.” – Erich Pica, President. Friends of the Earth Action
To learn more, visit www.foeaction.org.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
“Thank you for standing with survivors of domestic violence. More people than ever are reaching out for support—we receive 3000+ calls, chats, and texts a day. Your life changing investment provides a path to safety and HOPE for a life free from abuse.” – Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, National Domestic Violence Hotline
To learn more, visit www.thehotline.org.
Paid Leave for All
“Thank you for your support of our movement to pass paid leave for all. Nothing is more important than being there for our families—having the time to recover and care for loved ones. Thanks to you we are close to making paid leave for all reality.” – Dawn Huckelbridge, Director, Paid Leave for All
To learn more, visit www.paidleaveforall.org.
Now check out the three groups we are funding in June, and cast your vote to help distribute our donations.
CREDO members who use our products are the reason why we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile, the carrier with a conscience.
Posted on June 2, 2023
Advancing Equality for LGBTQ+ Families
Note from the CREDO team: This June, Family Equality is among three amazing groups that will receive a share of our monthly grant. Funding from the CREDO community will help Family Equality fight back against the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures this year, empower LGBTQ+ families to find community and celebrate their joy, and drive the LGBTQ+ family narrative.
Read this important blog post, then click here to visit CREDODonations.com to cast your vote to help determine how we distribute our monthly grant to this organization and our other amazing grantees this June.
At least 20 million American adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+)—and many of them have or are considering expanding their families! Research shows that nearly 63% of LGBTQ+ millennials are considering expanding their families in the coming years.
That’s where Family Equality comes in! Since 1979, Family Equality has been working to advance lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ families across the country, driven by the belief that everyone deserves the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, live in communities that respect them, and access services free from discrimination. We work in four critical areas to usher in change for good: community-building, education, advocacy, and organizing.
Family Equality is advocating for lived and legal equality and organizing LGBTQ+ families to speak out and take action. As it stands, there is no federal law prohibiting anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination—and 13 states allow adoption and foster care agencies to turn away LGBTQ+ parents. In 2022 there was a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country. This year we have seen that number almost double to over 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. As hateful and damaging anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric also ramps up, our families’ freedoms are at stake.
Family Equality’s policy team tracks legislation on a range of issues that directly affect both existing LGBTQ+ families and the ability of LGBTQ+ individuals to expand their families. These attacks on LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender youth, in healthcare, in sports, and in the classroom, are very real threats to our families.
As well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ families, Family Equality also connects LGBTQ+ families, youth from those families, and prospective parents across the country. Our equitable programming moves us closer to gender, racial, and economic freedoms through allyship bridge building, LGBTQ+ community building, and education and resource creation.
Family Equality is addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ families right now. With the increased anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, policies, and rhetoric across the country, families are reaching out to us for information, resources, and help. In response, we created Path2Familyequality.org, a hub for families to stay informed, create a plan, and find hope. Whether a family decides they need to flee their home state or seek resources to advocate for their children as they stay put, Path2FamilyEquality is evolving to address their needs and buoy them in a challenging time.
We also work to educate community members, neighbors, and allies through important research, training, and resources. For instance, Family Equality’s Open Door Program offers family-building providers and HR professionals in-depth, interactive courses to equip them with the tools necessary to develop inclusive policies and practices.
(We also create resources by and for LGBTQ+ families, including our Path to Parenthood webinars with LGBTQ+ fertility experts and our robust resource library!)
Family is fighting for what matters most – Love. Family. Freedom. Advancing both legal and lived equality is our mission and we won’t stop this work until all families are recognized, respected and protected. Learn more at familyequality.org.
Posted on June 1, 2023
We don’t change our logo for Pride Month — because we don’t need to.
Every June, when big corporate brands slap rainbows on their logos, we always roll our eyes.
Why? Because these “rainbow washing” campaigns are just another month-long marketing ploy designed to pander to the LGBTQ+ community and pad the bottom line.
Here at CREDO, we never change our logo during Pride Month because we don’t need to. We support the LGBTQ+ community all year, every year.
Since 1985, we have donated more than $15 million to progressive nonprofits fighting for equality and civil rights — groups like the Transgender Law Center, the National LGBTQ Task Force, the ACLU and our current grantee, Family Equality.
For us, Pride really is every month, and our logo has always symbolized support and solidarity with our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors — and that solidarity is important now more than ever.
This month, as many well-known corporations are shamefully pulling back from their Pride campaigns in the face of intense conservative bigotry — even hiding their displays in the backs of stores — we are doubling down our support by donating $50 to the Transgender Law Center for every new line added to CREDO Mobile using code PRIDEPG50 or PRIDEBG50.
To all the brands authentically celebrating Pride this month and supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year, we thank you and urge other corporations to follow our collective lead.
To all the companies monetizing and diluting the month of June by co-opting a rainbow flag, take some time to learn what Pride is really about (clue: it’s rooted in resistance). Lift up the voices of your queer employees and customers. Stop donating to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians and causes, and instead advocate for anti-discrimination legislation, support gender-affirming care, and take a public stance against hatred and bigotry.
As violence perpetrated on LGBTQ+ people has intensified, especially against trans and gender-diverse communities, true allyship is so important today — including from the corporate world.
So ditch the cynical press releases and rainbow logos, and move those Pride displays to the front of the store — and leave them there all year long. It’s the least you can do.
Posted on May 25, 2023
The results are in: Are you a socially-responsible consumer?
A few weeks ago, we polled CREDO members on their consumer habits, particularly regarding what it means to be a socially-responsible consumer and how a company’s political stances influence purchasing decisions.
The results were eye-opening and incredibly interesting — especially in light of recent news that companies like Target have unfortunately capitulated to right-wing threats against the LGBTQ community leading up to Pride celebrations. (Quick reminder: Support for the LGBTQ+ community is a core value of CREDO and we will never waiver in our support for equal rights.)
Have a look at the results in this infographic below — then, please feel free to continue as one of the 96% of our socially-responsible CREDO members and vote to help us fund this month’s grantees!
Posted on May 18, 2023
5 Important Settings Make Your Smartphone Easier to Use
We use our smartphones every day for entertainment, to stay connected with loved ones, pay our bills and so much more.
But sometimes they can be difficult to use, especially if we face challenges with our physical abilities.
Luckily, as technology continues to advance, smartphone makers are increasingly prioritizing accessibility features to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy the benefits of these powerful devices.
In this week’s tip, we’ll share five of the best settings in smartphones that make them easier to use.
1) Voice Control and Dictation:
Voice control and dictation are revolutionary features that enable users to navigate their smartphones using voice commands. This accessibility tool has significantly improved over the years, thanks to advancements in speech recognition technology. Apple’s iOS 16 and Google’s Android 13 have taken voice control to the next level by offering enhanced accuracy and expanded functionality. You can now effortlessly compose messages, search the web, open applications, and perform various other tasks, all through voice commands.
To enable Voice Control on iOS, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Select Voice Control.
- Toggle the Voice Control switch to enable it.
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Turn on Enable Dictation.
To enable Voice Access on Android:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Scroll down and select Voice Access.
- Toggle the Voice Access switch to enable it.
2) Magnification and Display Customization:
For individuals with visual impairments or low vision, magnification and display customization options can be transformative. Both Apple and Android smartphones provide powerful tools to enlarge text, adjust color contrast, and modify display settings to suit your needs. You can dynamically resize text, enabling you to scale text across different applications easily. These features will make content more accessible and enhance readability for users with visual challenges.
On iOS, follow these steps to magnify the screen with Display Zoom,:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
- Select Larger Text to make all the text on iPhone larger.
- Tap Done, then tap Use Zoomed.
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility > Magnification.
- Turn on Magnification shortcut.
3) Assistive Touch and Gesture Navigation
For those with limited mobility or dexterity, navigating a smartphone can be challenging. Assistive Touch, available on iOS 16, and Gesture Navigation, introduced in Android 13, offer alternative methods for interacting with smartphones. Assistive Touch allows users to perform common tasks, like taking screenshots or adjusting volume, through customizable on-screen gestures, making navigation more convenient. Gesture Navigation replaces traditional physical buttons with intuitive swipe gestures, providing a more fluid and accessible user experience.
To enable Assistive Touch on iOS:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, then turn on AssistiveTouch
To enable Gesture Navigation on Android:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to System > Gestures > System navigation.
- Choose from the options Gesture navigation: No buttons 2-button navigation: Two buttons for Home and Back, or 3-button navigation: Three buttons for Home, Back, and App Overview.
4) Live Caption and Real-Time Transcription:
Captions and transcriptions can be essential accessibility features for individuals with hearing impairments. Both Apple and Android smartphones now offer live captioning and real-time transcription capabilities. You can enjoy videos, podcasts, and voice messages with automatic, on-screen captions. With real-time transcriptions, you can participate in conversations by transcribing speech into text in real-time, making communication more inclusive and empowering.
To enable Live Captions on iOS:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions (Beta).
- Turn on Live Captions, then tap Appearance to customize the text, size, and color of the captions.
- You can also enable Live Captions within FaceTime.
To enable Live Transcribe on Android:
- Download Live Transcribe & Sound Notifications on Google Play.
- Tap the Live Transcribe app and make sure that you’re connected to the internet.
- Hold your device microphone near the person or sound that you want to capture. The microphone is usually located at the bottom of your device.
5) Sound Amplification and Adjustments
For those with hearing impairments, sometimes all you might need is a little boost in the volume or adjustments of certain frequencies in your headphones to hear better. With these settings, you can make custom tweaks to FaceTime and phone calls, music, videos and other media.
To enable Headphone Accommodations in iOS:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Turn on Headphone Accommodations.
- Now, you can choose how to apply your settings to different apps by choosing “Phone” or “Media”
- If you have an audiogram available in your Health App, you can use that to customize your headphone settings as well.
To use Sound Amplifier on Android:
- Download Sound Amplifier from Google Play, connect your headphones and open the app.
- Open your device’s Settings app. Tap Accessibility > Sound Amplifier > Open Sound Amplifier.
- Now, you can adjust multiple settings, including reducing unwanted sounds, boosting quiet sounds, boosting low and high frequency and adjusting ears separately
Posted on May 10, 2023
CREDO members are helping to power big victories for Rainforest Action Network
Our long-time grantee partners at Rainforest Action Network preserve forests, protect the climate and uphold human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns.
In October 2022, CREDO members voted to donate $31,833 to help strengthen RAN’s organizational capacity to push for systemic institutional change and help it exert public and inside pressure on corporations, banks and other institutions to stop environmentally destructive practices. RAN was also the recipient of our special $10,000 Earth Day donation last month. In total, CREDO members have donated nearly $1.5 million to further RAN’s critical climate justice work.
Powered in part by the generosity of CREDO and our members, RAN had some recent victories and launched some great new initiatives. Here’s a quick report on how your donations are making an impact:
Recent Victories
CREDO’s generous general operating support grant provided critical support to several greater organizational outcomes over the past five months, including:
- Building off the March 2022 Banking on Climate Chaos report, RAN released a briefer on the precipice of COP27. It highlights that six years since the Paris Agreement, the world’s 60 largest private banks financed fossil fuels at $4.6 trillion, with $742 billion in 2021 alone;
- As a result of intense campaign pressure, in March 2023, US Insurer, Chubb, announced new policies that restrict underwriting oil and gas extraction based on conservation and emissions criteria. Chubb will not insure new or existing oil and gas extraction projects that are located in specific protected areas or do not have plans to manage methane emissions. This is the first policy from a US insurer that applies to conventional oil and gas underwriting;
- RAN escalated public pressure on Forests campaign target, Procter & Gamble (P&G), showing up in Cincinnati twice, supporting members of the P&G family to meet with the CEO and deliver our Carbon Bombs report, highlighting persistent deforestation;
- In the lead-up to the COP27 in Egypt and in light of increased financing to forest-risk commodities, RAN released a finance policy assessment report in October 2022 with key findings and a deep dive into the Indonesian pulp sector and Brazilian beef sector; and
- RAN distributed over $775,000 in small grants to over 80 Indigenous, frontline, grassroots community groups in North America, Latin America, and Indonesia, resisting fossil fuel extraction and deforestation. Our 2022 grantmaking highlights are described in our recent blog, 2022 A Year in Review: Report Back from the Frontlines.
New Initiatives
Since its CREDO grant was delivered in December 2022, RAN released a groundbreaking case study from the frontlines of the Long Isun Indigenous Community in Indonesia and its hallmark Banking on Climate Chaos annual fossil fuel finance report.
On February 14, 2023, RAN launched a new Case Study report in partnership with the Dayak Bahau Indigenous Peoples of Long Isun and local Samarinda-based NGO Perkumpulan Nurani Perempuan, titled “Keep Forests Standing: How local community resistance is saving the last rainforests of Borneo.” The report sheds light on the Long Isun community as an example of how Indigenous land stewardship keeps forests standing and the community thriving. Despite their decade-long resistance and objection, timber concessions controlled by the Indonesian conglomerate Harita Group have held on to their licenses to log over a quarter of their territory. Harita Group’s palm oil division Bumitama Agri Limited supplies palm oil to global brands like Mondelēz and P&G – two of RAN’s KFS targets.
On April 13, 2023, RAN in collaboration with BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club and Urgewald released the 14th annual Banking on Climate Chaos report, which has already been endorsed by more than 625 organizations from 75 countries. Data in the 2022 report reveals that banks profiled funneled $150 billion in 2022 into the top 100 companies expanding fossil fuels, including TC Energy, TotalEnergies, Venture Global, ConocoPhillips, and Saudi Aramco. Of the 60 banks in scope, 49 have committed to net zero emissions and yet, our data calls those commitments into question, since these 49 banks provided 81% of the financing to the 100 top expanders in 2022. Key findings include:
- In the 7 years since the Paris Agreement, fossil fuel financing from the world’s 60 largest banks has reached USD $5.5 trillion, with $669 billion in financing in 2022 alone.
- Fossil fuel financing continues to be dominated by a handful of banks based in the United States, Canada, and Japan. For the first year since 2019 when we began reporting on financing for all fossil fuels, a Canadian bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), ranks #1 as the worst financier of fossil fuels.
- The top bankers of liquefied “natural” gas (LNG) in 2022 were Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, Mizuho, ING, Citi, and SMBC Group. Overall finance for LNG increased 49% from $15 billion in 2021 to $22.6 billion in 2022.
- According to Rystad, the oil and gas industry’s own database, while there was a drop in fossil financing in 2022, as the fewest (other than 2020) projects reached Final Investment Decision (FID) since 2015, industry projections are that 2023 and 2024 will be the largest years for approvals (via barrels of oil equivalent).
If you’d like to learn more or get involved with Rainforest Action Network, please visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Posted on May 8, 2023
CREDO grantee Friends of the Earth Action is combating climate change in a humane, just and sustainable way
Note from the CREDO team: This May, Friends of the Earth Action is among three amazing groups that will receive a share of our monthly grant. Funding from the CREDO community will help the group bolster progressive leaders who see the importance of intersectionality in progressive issues and who understand the relationship between social justice and environmental protection.
Read this important blog post from Peter Stocker, VP of Membership and Development, then click here to visit CREDODonations.com to cast your vote to help determine how we distribute our monthly grant to this organization and our other amazing grantees this May.
Friend of the Earth Action works to create a healthier and more just world with campaigns ranging in focus from combating the climate crisis, protecting people from toxic and potentially harmful technologies, low-pollution alternatives, organics for all, and a healthy food system. Our work with Friends of the Earth International helps to defeat harmful projects; mobilize people to take action; and transform the dialogue about environmental and climate justice in communities worldwide.
We continue to shine a light on the corrupt corporate system geared towards profit over people. Friends of the Earth Action fights for the rights of all people to create a safe and healthy living and working environment. The health of the planet and health of the people go hand in hand.
Fighting for Climate Justice
The climate crisis is the definitive environmental issue of our time, and addressing it in a humane, just and sustainable way is Friends of the Earth Action’s top priority. The horrific impacts of the climate emergency are already hitting home. Climate-change-driven wildfires burn in California and Oregon, while many environmental justice communities endure greater suffering and hardship due to their proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure. The climate crisis is already impacting the world’s most marginalized people. The window to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C is closing quickly. This marker is crucial, because an average increase of 1.5 degree C worldwide takes many systems that we rely on past the dangerous tipping point (IPCC).
One of the drivers of global climate change is fossil fuel extraction and transportation. To fight for justice and help prevent hitting that 1.5 degree tipping point, Friends of the Earth Action is working to expose potential fossil fuel industry influence over the U.S. response to the crisis in Ukraine.
We are shining a bright light on the secretive U.S.-European Union Energy Task Force embedded at the State Department that works behind the scenes to pressure Europe into long-term liquefied natural gas contracts. We are holding the State Department accountable to its open-government obligations at every turn.
We will put our findings to good use to build pressure in Congress and the Biden Administration against fossil fuel exports. We also called out Big Oil CEOs who have exploited the crisis in Ukraine to sell shares and reap massive profits at the expense of people and the planet. Our report identified the biggest profiteers and called for an end to the age of fossil fuels.
And we continued our work to stop subsidies and bailouts to fossil fuel polluters. We were pleased when the final version of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) removed some of the harmful kickbacks to the fossil fuel industry that we had been fighting in the legislative precursor to the IRA, the Build Back Better Act. We also advocated successfully for a strengthened definition of “clean hydrogen” in the IRA, improving on the weak standard in Senator Manchin’s original bipartisan bill.
Steps in the Right Direction
To have a fighting chance, we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Fossil fuel projects – from extraction to transportation – must be halted.
Part of that includes establishing National Monuments, preserved land on which extraction is prohibited. Biden Administration restored the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and restored and expanded the Bears Ears National Monument, both in Utah. We also successfully pressured the Biden Administration to designate Texas’s Castner Range and Nevada’s Avi Kwa Ame as National Monuments.
Along with allies, we submitted over 200,000 comments urging the Biden Administration to oppose the Willow oil and gas development project in Alaska’s Western Arctic—a region inhabited by the Inupiat people for thousands of years, and a haven for caribou and polar bears.
Posted on May 4, 2023
How to make your older phone feel new again
We use our smartphones every day, but with the constant use and abuse, it’s easy for them to start feeling old and worn out.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your phone feeling brand new.
In this week’s tip, we’ll share six easy tips to help make your phone feel a little fresher and new again.
1. Use a Protective Case and Screen Protector
The first step to keeping your phone feeling brand new is to protect it from physical damage. Invest in a good quality protective case and screen protector. This will help protect your phone from scratches, cracks, and other types of damage. A protective case and screen protector will not only help to keep your phone looking new, but it will also help to extend its lifespan.
If you have a scratched up screen protector or an old, worn out case, it might be time to invest in a new one.
2. Keep Your Phone Clean
Let’s face it: our phones are filthy. Studies show that our phones carry around 17,000 bacteria per square inch — 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat — and we touch our phones roughly 2,617 times a day. For heavy phone users, that number jumps to 5,427 times.
Keeping your phone clean is a great way to keep it feeling brand new. Dirt, dust, and yes, germs, can build up on your phone, which can cause it to look old and worn out. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your phone regularly and keep it clean. You can also gently use a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe to disinfect your phone.
Check out our recent tip on how to safely sanitize your phone and keep it germ-free.
3. Manage Your Storage Space
It’s happened to all of us. We use our smartphones to store all of our photos, videos, music, podcasts and more — but then receive that dreaded “Storage is Full” warning on our home screens.
A phone that is overloaded with apps, videos, and pictures can slow down and become sluggish. Regularly go through your phone and delete any unnecessary apps, pictures, and videos to free up space. This will not only keep your phone running smoothly but it will also give you more space for the things that matter.
Here’s our recent tip on how to free up storage space on your smartphone.
4. Update Your Phone’s Operating System
Regularly updating your phone’s operating system is essential to keeping it feeling new. Updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and new features that can improve the performance of your phone. Set your phone to automatically update so that you don’t have to worry about missing any updates.
Here’s how to update iOS on an iPhone from Apple, and here’s how to update an Android device from Google.
5. Be Mindful of Your Phone Usage
Be mindful of how you use your phone. Constantly scrolling through social media, watching videos, and playing games can drain your phone’s battery and cause it to overheat. Take breaks from your phone and give it a chance to cool down. Limit your phone usage when possible, and always make sure to charge your phone when it needs it.
Here’s our blog post with 8 Cool Tips to Keep Your Smartphone from Overheating.
6. BONUS TIP: Maybe It’s Time For a New Phone
We’ve all been there: We’ve tried everything we can to keep our smartphone running in tip top shape, but nothing seems to work. Your phone has had a great life — but it’s just time to buy a new one.
We know buying a new phone can be a big purchase, but never fear — CREDO Mobile has some great deals on the latest iPhone and Android models. In fact, for a limited time, you can get $200 off with offer code SP200. Just visit our website at CREDOMobile.com or call 1-866-996-4341 to speak with one of our friendly experts who can help!
Posted on May 3, 2023
Our April grantees thank you for your support
Each month, CREDO members vote on how we distribute funding to three incredible nonprofits. Those small actions add up – with one click, you can help fund groups fighting for hunger relief, climate justice, and immigrant and refugee children. In April, CREDO members voted to distribute our monthly donation among Action Against Hunger, Green America and Kids In Need of Defense (KIND).
These donations are made possible by CREDO customers and the revenue they generate by using our services. The distribution depends entirely on the votes of CREDO members like you. And for that, our April grant recipients thank you.
Action Against Hunger
“Your generosity means so much to us and the communities we serve. We still have a long way to go before we end hunger. But we are closer to that goal today because of you. Thank you.” – Charles Owubah, Chief Executive Officer, Action Against Hunger
To learn more, visit www.actionagainsthunger.org.
Green America
“Thank you! Your support helps us advance our efforts to counter the climate crisis and protect frontline communities.” – Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director for Consumer & Corporate Engagement, Green America
To learn more, visit www.greenamerica.org.
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND)
“Your support makes it possible for our work to cross borders—from the U.S. to Central America to Europe—to protect the rights and well-being of children who are traveling alone. You have my heartfelt thanks.” – Wendy Young, President, KIND
To learn more, visit www.supportkind.org.
Now check out the three groups we are funding in May, and cast your vote to help distribute our donations.
CREDO members who use our products are the reason why we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile, the carrier with a conscience.
Posted on May 2, 2023
Amidst efforts to restrict teaching about race and identity, Facing History & Ourselves connects young people to factual history
CREDO grantee Facing History & Ourselves provides training, teaching strategies, and classroom resources that help teachers engage young people in connecting factual history—in all its depth and complexity—with their own lives and identities.
In September 2022, CREDO members voted to donate $23,625 to support Facing History’s work to help educators across the country nurture students’ analytical skills, empathy, academic engagement, and civic agency—even amidst efforts to restrict teaching about race, identity, and other vital aspects of American history and life. 
Powered in part by the generosity of CREDO and our members, Facing History & Ourselves had some recent victories and launched some great new initiatives. Here’s a quick report on how your donations are making an impact:
Recent Victories
Since receiving the CREDO grant, we have continued to expand our powerful Teaching for Equity and Justice (TEJ) professional learning series. For example, we designed and launched a new TEJ workshop specifically for school leaders and instructional leadership teams. Data from 2022 post-TEJ workshop surveys showed that 97% of respondents felt empowered to create more equitable learning environments in their schools.
Funding from CREDO and other donors has also enabled us to continue producing and disseminating timely and relevant lessons on current events. Each lesson suggests activities teachers can use in the classroom right away to address specific events and issues in the news, and includes articles to read, videos to watch, or other materials.
Since receiving the CREDO funds in September 2022, we have published the following lessons on our website:
The Supreme Court, Trust, and Political Partisanship (October): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/supreme-court-trust-political-partisanship
When Online Speech Has Real Consequences (November): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/when-online-hate-speech-has-real-world-consequences
Influence, Celebrity, and the Dangers of Online Hate (November): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/influence-celebrity-dangers-online-hate
The World Cup: Activism, Upstanding, and Free Speech (December): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/world-cup-activism-upstanding-free-speech
Responding to the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria (February): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/responding-earthquake-turkey-syria
The Ethics of Generative AI in the Classroom (March): https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/ethics-generative-ai-classroom
One other highlight has been that regional Facing History Student Leadership Groups (SLGs) have been able to start meeting in person again after a long hiatus during the pandemic, when all meetings were online. This school year, there are active Facing History SLGs in Northern California, Cleveland, and Memphis. While each SLG is unique, they are all extracurricular student groups, advised by teachers, where young people can come together, celebrate their diversity, learn from and inspire each other, build leadership skills, and work together for social change.
New Initiatives
Facing History is in the midst of a multi-year initiative to develop bold, thought-provoking, academically challenging curricular content designed to disrupt dominant narratives in US History and English Language Arts classrooms. These include teaching materials designed to uplift diverse perspectives, and promote deep analytical thinking about history, literature, current events, and civic responsibility. In March, they released a new six-lesson unit, “I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till. Created in partnership with the Till Institute, this unit focuses on the pivotal choices of Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and the impact those choices had on a generation of Civil Rights activists.
Our curriculum, informed by our expertise in adolescents’ intellectual and social-emotional development, leads to a strong study of civics by focusing on identity and equity and weaving in opportunities for students to “live civics” through action projects integrated into classroom lessons.
We are currently piloting the model in partnership with the New York City Department of Education to help schools meet the requirements of the New York Seal of Civic Readiness.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved with Facing History & Ourselves, please visit their website, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
