Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Teams Up with Rochester Leaders to Tackle the Education Crisis

Rochester community leaders and civil rights attorney Ben Crump gathered at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church on Saturday to address the city’s education crisis. Crump, known for advocating in high-profile cases, highlighted the systemic inequalities that contribute to ongoing cycles of poverty and crime in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Local education advocate Florence Evans shared alarming statistics, stating, “57% of adults aged 16 and older in Rochester read at a basic level equivalent to sixth grade.” She emphasized the issue is part of a larger national problem, with 130 million adults unable to read a simple book to their kids.

Community organizer James Gatewood called for collective action. He noted that support for children goes beyond the schools, pointing to the lack of community programs like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts which many kids relied on in the past.

Despite spending over $30,000 per student each year—one of the highest rates in the nation—Rochester’s schools continue to face challenges in academic performance.

The event was organized by Charter Champions, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the needs of local charter schools. They aim to bring attention to the critical issues facing education in Rochester and foster solutions that empower the community.