redefinED atlanta, a public education nonprofit that engages communities, advocates for equity, and funds critical work to drive systemic level improvement in K-12 public education for students and families, has awarded four one-year grants of $25,000 to support student and family success in Clayton County public schools..

The 2025–2026 Clayton Communities in Action Grant Fund recipients are Clayton County Public Schools, Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, Jonesboro High School, and Melanated Pearl Corporation. Each will use the funding to strengthen family and community engagement and improve academic outcomes in Clayton County.

“We received many compelling grant applications, but these four organizations best aligned with our council’s and the community’s vision for meaningful impact,” said Angira Sceusi, executive director of redefinED atlanta. “We’re excited to see how these efforts unfold over the next year and look forward to learning alongside our grantees as they implement innovative strategies that center the voices and needs of students, families, and educators.”

Learn more about the 2025-2026 grantees and projects:

Clayton County Public Schools - Birth to Five Project
This initiative enhances early learning readiness for Clayton County's birth-to-five population, including families, educators, and caregivers. The project ensures children enter kindergarten with a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and school readiness. Year-round programming includes mobile outreach, storytime sessions, parent workshops, educator trainings, and literacy and numeracy events.

Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice - The Fairness, Advocacy, and Individualized Representation (F.A.I.R.) Program
The F.A.I.R. Program provides families with tools, knowledge, and support to advocate for their children's educational rights and disrupt harmful exclusionary discipline practices. This grant will strengthen family-centered advocacy, increase access to legal supports, and build a long-term, sustainable referral network for Clayton County families to access the center’s no-cost legal services.

Jonesboro High School - Thrive in Advocacy Initiative
This program equips families- particularly those supporting students through the Department of Exceptional Students, 504 plans, ESOL designation, and McKinney-Vento eligibility- with the confidence, tools, and language to actively advocate for their child's success. Through a combination of in-person workshops, printed packets, and a mobile-friendly Al tool, the initiative helps caregivers navigate education systems, deepen their understanding of school policy, and build stronger relationships with staff and peers.

Melanated Pearl Corporation - Project PRESENT
Project PRESENT aims to build resilient families by supporting students in grades Pre-K-12 from historically marginalized backgrounds, and those facing challenges related to homelessness or chronic absenteeism. The program will offer year-long classes coupled with case management services to address housing instability, and provide training in caregiver practices that prevent abuse and address trauma, Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACEs), and mental health.

Working with its Clayton County Grant Advisory Council, redefinED atlanta announced the 2025 -2026 Clayton Communities in Action Grant Fund in March. The nine-member council advises the organization on the educational needs of Clayton County and recommends funding recipients. To date, redefinED atlanta has granted $200,000 to local organizations supporting Clayton County Public Schools students and families.

The inaugural Clayton Communities in Action Grants were awarded in June 2024 to:
• Clayton County Public Schools Magnet Department
• Family Literacy of Georgia
• Los Niños Primero
• Riverdale Elementary School

Meet the 2025 Clayton County Grant Advisory Council:
• Dr. Eddie Gordon
• Dr. Angela Jean-Louis
• Dr. Connie Kitchens
• Renee Knight
• Ashley Manning
• Patricia Nealy
• Ophelia Nnorom
• LaTonya Paige
• Isaiah Zimmerman


For more information about the Clayton Communities in Action Grant Fund, please visit https://redefinedatlanta.org/investments/clayton-community-grant/.