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We empower
Black & Brown parents
to transform
South LA Schools.
We organize, train, and support parent leadership in South Los Angeles to lead systemic change — building power for Black and Brown families to transform LAUSD schools.
300+ parent leaders
Join the Movement
JUSTICE
DIGNITY
LEADERSHIP
SOLIDARITY
EDUCATION
POWER
COMMUNITY
EQUITY
ORGANIZING
TRANSFORMATION
RESISTANCE
UNITY
HOPE
ACTION
LIBERATION
DIGNITY
LEADERSHIP
SOLIDARITY
EDUCATION
POWER
COMMUNITY
EQUITY
ORGANIZING
TRANSFORMATION
RESISTANCE
UNITY
HOPE
ACTION
LIBERATION
ABOUT CADRE
Since 2001, CADRE has been on a mission to build parent advocacy in South Los Angeles — helping families understand their rights at school and create lasting change.
We are a parent‑led, Black and Brown organization confronting the unfair treatment our children experience in schools and challenging the systems that create those conditions. Our members organize to make schools more accountable, just and responsive to families in our community.
OUR WORK
Sharing tools, training, and knowledge so South LA parents can advocate for their children's rights at school.
We organize for change in three core areas.
01
Parent Leadership & Power
We build power with Black and Brown parents in South LA to lead, organize, and fight for the education their children deserve.
02
Campaigns for Justice
We organize campaigns that fight unfair school policies, stop the pushout of Black and Brown students, and push for equity in education.
03
Victories & Movement Building
From reducing suspensions to co-founding the Dignity in Schools Campaign in Schools-California, our wins show what’s possible when parents lead systemic change.
Parent Voices in Action
Every victory begins when parents speak truth to power.
This is what parent power looks like.
In South Los Angeles, change begins with a parent’s voice. A mother demanding fairness. A father refusing silence.
At school board meetings, in classrooms, and in the community, CADRE parents lead with courage—demanding dignity, justice, and lasting change in South LA schools.
Become part of a growing movement of South LA parents working to transform schools and defend our children’s right to dignity and education.
Join CADRE’s parent network and help shape the future of South LA schools.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Guided by dignity, solidarity, and healing, our principles center parent leadership and redefine power in South LA schools.
Parents Lead the Way
South LA parents are the heart of CADRE. Their lived experiences, insight, and leadership guide every campaign, every decision, and every vision for justice.
Black and Brown Solidarity
We build shared power between Black and Latino parents, honoring both our shared struggles and distinct histories. Solidarity is our foundation for dismantling racism in schools.
Access for All Parents
Language, transportation, and childcare should never be barriers to power. We remove these obstacles so every parent can lead and participate fully in shaping change.
Community Accountability
Our independence allows us to hold systems accountable, always centering parents’ truths, community needs, and long-term justice over institutional comfort.
Healing and Transformation
We believe change begins with healing. Our work restores dignity, uplifts families, and redefines what community care looks like in South Los Angeles.
Continuous Learning and Reflection
We learn from past movements, their victories and shortcomings, to grow stronger, more united, and more effective in our pursuit of educational and racial justice.
Rooted in Our Values
These guiding principles shape everything CADRE does — how we organize, how we build power, and how we redefine what justice looks like for South LA parents.
The heart of CADRE’s work begins with the voices of parents who speak truth to power and redefine what leadership looks like.
I want us to continue thinking about how PBIS can be more effective because Trump is also coming for that. He calls what we have been working on ‘equity ideology.’ What we are trying to do is transform lives, end the school-to-prison pipeline, and stop the harm Black and Brown students have suffered over the decades.
Latanya Hull
CADRE Senior Core Parent
I believe as a parent that if we focus on our black students, we give the opportunity for everybody to thrive, because all of our communities will be thriving together, because we are one community.
Thalia Carmona
CADRE Senior Core Parent
Our Approach to Transformation
CADRE’s Theory of Change begins with parents and expands outward, transforming beliefs, building collective power, and reshaping the systems that impact South LA families. When parents lead, the story changes. Schools, policies, and entire communities follow.
Transforming Beliefs and Power
We begin by helping Black and Brown parents see their own power and move from isolation to collective strength. Through political education and organizing, parents recognize their capacity to advocate, lead, and drive change in their schools and communities.
Building Collective Power
Parents come together to identify problems, design solutions, and demand accountability. This process builds community power that challenges systemic racism and creates new pathways for dignity, justice, and equity in education.
Changing Systems and Stories
As parents lead campaigns and coalitions, public beliefs begin to shift. Schools and policymakers start to see parents as experts and agents of change, shaping a South LA that is thriving, self-determined, and rooted in justice.
Discover Our Resource Library
Our reports document decades of parent-led organizing, victories, and lessons from the fight to end the school-to-prison pipeline. Explore data, stories, and strategies that continue to shape education justice in South LA.
Parent Resources
Tools and guidance for South LA parents navigating schools, discipline, and advocacy.
Coalitions & Strategic Partnerships
Work with CADRE and allies to advance racial and educational justice.
Our People
Meet the parents, staff, and leaders who make CADRE’s work possible across South LA.
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Stay Informed. Stay Connected.
Updates on Campaigns & Events
Opportunities to Organize and Take Action
Stay connected with CADRE! Join our newsletter to receive updates on parent organizing, community events, and our ongoing work to advance educational and racial justice in South Los Angeles.
Questions or Support?
Address:
8410 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90003
Phone:
+1 (323) 752-9997
Email:
info@cadre-la.org
What is CADRE?
CADRE (Community Asset Development Redefining Education) is a South Los Angeles–based parent-led organization founded in 2001. We work with Black and Brown parents to address the unfair treatment their children experience in schools and to change the systems that create those conditions. Our members organize to make schools more accountable, just, and responsive to families in our community. Learn More About Us.
Who are CADRE’s members?
Our members are primarily parents and caregivers whose children attend South LA public and charter schools. Many have personally faced challenges such as unfair discipline, lack of communication, or exclusion from decision-making at school. CADRE brings these parents together to share experiences, learn about their rights, and take collective action to improve school environments for all families. Meet Our People.
What kind of support does CADRE provide to parents?
CADRE offers practical tools and one-on-one support for parents navigating issues like suspensions, IEP or 504 plans, or retaliation for speaking up. We also host meetings and workshops where parents can build skills, find community, and learn strategies for advocating effectively in schools. While we don’t provide legal representation, we connect parents with resources, coalition partners, and community allies when specialized support is needed.
Does CADRE work directly with schools or the district?
Yes. CADRE regularly meets with school and district representatives to raise parent concerns and track implementation of key policies. Our organizing has contributed to major LAUSD policy changes, such as the reduction of suspensions and the elimination of “willful defiance” as a suspension category. We believe change happens when parents and schools share responsibility and accountability. Learn more about Our Work.
How can I get involved?
There are several ways to participate:
Become a Parent Member: Join our meetings and trainings to grow your leadership and organizing skills.
Volunteer or Partner: Support our events, campaigns, or community outreach.
Stay Connected: Sign up for our newsletter or follow CADRE on social media to learn about upcoming gatherings and actions.
Visit our Take Action or Events pages for details.
Learn how to Get Involved.
Is CADRE a nonprofit organization?
Yes. CADRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our work is made possible by parent members, community allies, and supporters who believe in racial and educational justice. Donations are tax-deductible and directly fund parent organizing, training, and campaign work in South LA. Make a Donation.
Where does CADRE work?
Our base is in South Los Angeles, but our work reaches across LAUSD and into statewide and national coalitions. We are a co-founder of the Dignity in Schools Campaign, the Dignity in Schools Campaign California, and the Police-Free Schools LAUSD Coalition, among others.
Can anyone contact CADRE for help?
Yes. Any parent or caregiver in Los Angeles who feels unheard or mistreated by their child’s school can reach out. We prioritize families in South LA but often connect parents elsewhere with appropriate allies and resources. Visit our Contact page.
How can I stay informed about CADRE’s work?
You can sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, or check our News section for stories, reports, and upcoming events.
Make a Lasting Impact
Every victory begins with South LA parents organizing for change. Your support strengthens CADRE’s movement for racial and educational justice.