Our Mission

Education Equity Collective is a group of everyday people organizing for racial equity in KC Metro schools, committed to building people power as accomplices alongside local grassroots efforts, and protecting access to safe and truthful public education for all.

Public Statement

After thoughtful consideration, we have made the decision to disaffiliate from SURJ National and move forward as an independent entity. As part of this change, we are also introducing a new name: Education Equity Collective, or EdEquity Collective.

We are launching a new era of our organizational experience: building people power, skilling up leaders in our communities, and supporting local partner organizations aligned with our efforts to protect unfettered access to equitable public education for all.

Why this change?

This transition allows us greater flexibility to work more closely with area grassroots organizations we align with, make decisions that support local needs, and grow in new ways:

  • New program opportunities to enrich personal skills 

  • More ways to get involved and build local power while enacting real change

  • More clearly defined focus for what our organization does and doesn’t do

We’re incredibly grateful for your support and partnership—it’s what makes this work possible. We’re excited about this next stage and the opportunities it brings to deepen our impact.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you; please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for being part of our community—together we are stronger.

In Solidarity,
EdEquity Collective
(formerly SURJ KC)

JOIN US AT OUR LAUNCH EVENT:

Teach Truth 2026

Yes, there’s a lot going on at the national level—so much to process, understand, and respond to—and also we cannot neglect our local community. Perhaps it is here that we can have the most impact. This is a call to join your neighbors and fight the issues that we are facing in our front yards:

  • Equity policy is disappearing

  • People are uneducated about how to respond when ICE is a direct threat to students in schools

  • Schools are underfunded

  • Specialized populations are losing their rights in schools 

Teach Truth 2026 will host speakers from local organizations who highlight very real events currently happening at the state and local level that continually make it more difficult for our stakeholders (Teachers, Students, and Parents) to realize equitable conditions.

We’ll also talk about ways to engage, build power, and enact change.

Lastly, this is our organizational launching event! We are calling for everyday people in the KC Metro area who exist within these institutions to step forward, participate consistently while skilling up, and eventually hold a volunteer role within our organization.

WHEN:

Saturday, May 23rd, 10am - Noon

WHERE:

Overland Park, KS (address provided upon registration)

DETAILS:

This event is family-friendly, and registration required, RSVP here.

COST:

This event is free, but does cost money for us to produce. If you’d like to support our work and can do so comfortably, please consider donating here.

Register to Attend

GENERAL FAQs

  • After careful consideration, we have decided to transition away from our affiliation with SURJ national in order to operate independently. This change allows us greater flexibility to make decisions locally, respond more directly to community needs, and grow in ways that best support our mission.

  • You can refer to us as EdEquity Collective or Education Equity Collective. During the transition, you may also see:
    EdEquity Collective (formerly SURJ KC)

  • Because we are no longer affiliated with SURJ national, we are required to adopt a new name. This is also an opportunity to create an identity that reflects our independent direction and local impact.

  • We are not closing. This change is about strengthening our ability to serve—not scaling back.

  • Yes and No. Our overall mission of fighting racial injustice remains the same. We are still committed to serving our community and advancing the same goals you know us for. We are entering a new era of focus specifically on supporting and advocating for equitable public K-12 education as well as adult political education.

  • No. Our leadership team remains the same. You will continue interfacing with the same people you know and trust.

  • Some of the services we have offered in the past are sunsetting in order to clarify our organizational focus and make space for other local organizations to own those domains.

    Over time, being independent will allow us to expand our educational offerings.

  • Yes. Our partnerships remain very important to us, and we look forward to continuing and strengthening those relationships moving forward.

    Are you part of an organization or institution wanting to collaborate? Email us at edequitykc@proton.me

  • No. Our nonprofit status remains the same. We will continue to operate as a Project of Missouri Jobs With Justice Voter Action, a registered 501c4 nonprofit organization.

  • Your support continues to make the same impact it always has. Donations will still directly support our programs and community. Any updates to donation processes or platforms will be clearly communicated. You may for a time still see SURJ KC as the organization listed on our donations page. Rest assured, those monies are being directed to us.

    If you’re not yet a donor but would like to contribute to our work, we greatly appreciate your support. Click to donate.

  • Yes. Our website, social handles, and email have all been updated:

  • The transition will roll out over the coming weeks and months. During this time, you may see both our new name and our previous name used together (e.g., “EdEquity Collective, formerly SURJ KC”) to reduce confusion.

  • We encourage you to:

    • Follow us on social media

    • Read our emails and newsletters (subscription link coming soon!)

  • You can help by:

    • Continuing your support as a donor or volunteer

    • Sharing our new name and updates with your network

    • Engaging with our announcements on social media

    If you’re not yet a donor but would like to contribute to our work, we greatly appreciate your support. Click to donate.

  • We welcome your questions. Please reach out to: edequitykc@proton.me