2023 Annual Report
Year in Review
Thank you to each of you who contribute to Facing History to ensure that our teachers and students have the resources they need to do such important work in the classroom.
During a time when bigotry and hate are on the rise and demands on teachers are intensifying, Facing History & Ourselves remains a trusted source of support for educators. We launched several new programs and resources, and the feedback about our work is overwhelmingly positive. We are proud to share our annual report below, which highlights this impactful work that has only been possible because of your generosity. Thank you for helping Facing History empower the next generation to be more knowledgeable, empathetic, and civically engaged.
A Message from our CEO
Facing History's President and CEO Desmond K. Blackburn reflects on our 2023 achievements.
With Gratitude to Our Supporters
The generosity of our supporters has enabled us to give teachers the keys to empower millions of students to learn from history, to become more empathetic, and to be Upstanders, not bystanders. Check out our latest video, “Supporting Teachers, Empowering Students,” for an inspiring look and the impact you’ve helped make possible.
Thank you for investing in our work to support teachers and their students. We are truly grateful.
Achievements
This year, with your partnership and support, we were able to provide resources to more than 330,000 educators and train more than 14,000 educators across the country and around the globe, in person and online. This included many new resources, several of which are highlighted below.
We also focused on initiatives that address growing and urgent needs for teachers, schools, and students. Below are a few highlights from two of these initiatives: Combating Contemporary Antisemitism and Teaching for Equity and Justice.
teachers reached across the globe
educators attended one of our 2023 professional development opportunities
Combating Contemporary Antisemitism
As part of our efforts to address the urgent need in classrooms and communities to identify and stand up to contemporary antisemitism, our resources lay the foundation for a deep historical and contemporary study of antisemitism. Explore the Contemporary Antisemitism Resource Collection.
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More than 2,600 people from 47 states and several countries engaged in our contemporary antisemitism-focused learning events throughout fiscal year 2023 (FY23).
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We developed the Contemporary Antisemitism Resource Collection, a trove of continually updated content that has received more than 27,000 page views from users in the US and around the world in FY23.
Teaching for Equity & Justice
Through self-examination and interactive pedagogy, educators examine the historical context of access to and the purpose of education to explore current systems of inequity. Through Facing History, educators work together to improve equity and justice in classrooms and schools.
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More than 600 educators in FY23 attended our Teaching for Equity and Justice workshops; 99% of educators would recommend the workshop to other educators.
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We launched a new School Leadership Institute experience that helped 150 school leaders in FY23 build their capacity to develop and implement equitable classrooms and cultures at their schools.
What Our Educators Are Saying
When our community of educators needs support tackling difficult topics, our current events resources help them thoughtfully address complex, timely issues.
Thank You to Our Board & Leadership
Our volunteer network spans our geographic reach as well. Facing History is incredibly grateful to the members of our: Board of Directors, Leadership Council, Advisory Boards, and Board of Scholars, who govern the organization, provide philanthropic support, engage their communities and serve as thought leaders for our work around the world.
Facing History & Ourselves acknowledges with great sadness the loss of our cherished friend and board member who passed away this year: Dr. Richard Hovannisian. We remain ever grateful to have been guided by Dr. Hovannisian’s wisdom, and we will continue to be enriched by the time he shared with us.
Educator & Alumni Spotlight
In April of 2023 Facing History & Ourselves presented celebrated educator Gene Woods and one of his former students, Chevon Williams, with Upstander Awards. These two recipients demonstrate the fullness of Facing History’s values: they create space for other people and ideas; they approach life with curiosity; they actively listen and learn; and they act with empathy and kindness—they are upstanders. We’re so proud to honor their contributions.
Gene and Chevon recently shared time together to talk about the lessons they learned as teacher and student in a Facing History social studies classroom at Bayonne High School in Bayonne, New Jersey. Beyond this connection point, they also expressed how the mentorship and examples of other upstanders have helped them overcome personal struggles and continue to motivate them as they move through the world.
Gene and Chevon embody the impact individuals can have when we choose to participate.
Watch their stories in the video below.