Ida B. Wells APAC High School Program receives $10,000 grant to “continue outreach” for the GSA club

The “It Gets Better Project” continued its program in 2023 to provide $10,000 grants to schools throughout the United States and now Canada to implement LGBTQ initiatives for the second straight year. The project is called “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.” The organization stated: “The effort, which is now in its second year and has expanded to include Canada, will provide grants of up to $10,000 to 71 U.S. and Canada public or charter schools, for a total of $625,000 in grants.” These grants were provided “with generous support from American Eagle, Aerie and their customers.” The schools had to apply to be considered for the grants. The organization’s executive director explicitly stated that the goal was to bring LGBTQ issues into classrooms:

Amid ongoing efforts to silence or stigmatize discussion about LGBTQ+ identity in the classroom, it’s more important than ever to ensure that LGBTQ+ students feel that they are welcomed, accepted and able to be their full selves at school.

The Ida B. Wells APAC High School Program in Jackson Public Schools received a grant from the “It Gets Better Project” for 2023. The following is provided as the purpose of the grant: “This previous grantee’s project will continue outreach for the school GSA and Open Arts project, where students 13+ are able to express themselves through art.“

The “Ida B. Wells APAC High School Program” is part of Ida B. Wells APAC Elementary School. The school’s website explains: “Wells APAC serves students in grades 4 and 5 in the academic and performing arts areas. It also serves students in grades 6-12 in the performance art area.” Parents Defending Education previously reported that the school also received a $10,000 grant in 2022 to create murals based on “queer black history.”