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FACING HISTORY MATTERS

An insider look at what your support makes possible

 

v.5 November 2025

CEO MESSAGE

Getting the chance to attend one of our workshops is always a treat for me. I know that you feel the same way, too. A supporter recently shared with me that they were blown away by the powerful questions educators asked, and the direct connections they made to their jobs. Our donor used a phrase that stuck in my mind- transformational engagement. I agree: our workshops change the way educators teach, for the better. Seeing it firsthand is an incredible experience, and I extend an invitation to each of you- reply to this email, or reach out to your local staff and we’ll set up an opportunity for you to see our work in action. 

 

I also want to take a moment to celebrate some recent successes with you all:

  • We recently launched new curriculum resources, including Media Literacy for Critical Thinking and Democracy, a revised version of Choices in Little Rock, and our new Teaching Holocaust Literature collection
  • We are thrilled to welcome Angie Deane as our new Chief Development Officer – see below to learn more about her!

Thank you for being our most passionate and involved supporters. You make all the difference. 

 

Desmond

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Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD

STUDENT STORY

7th Graders Discover Borders and Belonging

Students in Chicago share how their Facing History & Ourselves middle school class project took them through a journey of self-discovery and reflection.

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Staff Spotlight

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Angie Deane, Chief Development Officer

As the Chief Development Officer at Facing History, Angie leads our fundraising and development efforts. Get to know her, as well as what she does for Facing History & Ourselves! 

 

You’re coming to us from Human Rights Watch where you were Chief Development Officer; before that, you served as Development Director at the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect in New York and the Genocide Intervention Network in Washington, DC. How do you think those experiences will help you in this role? 

 

I have been so fortunate throughout my career to work with extraordinary people and organizations committed to building a more just and equitable world. Over the last 20 years, I have not only had the opportunity to learn from colleagues carrying out critical work, but also to build relationships with supporters around the world who believe just as deeply in that work, and who choose to participate and make an impact through philanthropy. The common thread across every organization I’ve served, including Facing History & Ourselves, is a forward-looking commitment to long-term systemic change. And at this moment, I can think of nothing more important than supporting educators and students in creating space for dialogue and building bridges across differences.

 

What excites you most about joining our organization? 

 

I have been an admirer of Facing History & Ourselves ever since I first learned of our work in 2008, and I am thrilled to be here. Teachers and students need our resources and support now more than ever, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with people grounded in and motivated by intellectual rigor, our unique pedagogy, and a hopeful commitment to building and sustaining a vibrant democracy. There are so many deep relationships here, and so much history. I’m excited to be a part of it, and build on and deepen our impact for years to come.

 

What’s something you’d love our supporters to know about you? 

 

That I am looking forward to meeting them and learning about their ‘‘why Facing History & Ourselves?" I believe in the power of building lasting relationships, listening to people’s stories, and connecting them to the work in ways that resonate personally. Our supporters and volunteer leaders are an essential part of our community, and I’m committed to creating meaningful opportunities for them to engage with our work so that they can see, feel, and understand the impact of their generosity and the difference they help make. 

 

On a personal note, I am a mom to three amazing kids - George (12); Betty (10); and Francie (6);  partner to an amazing spouse, Noah; an avid, ever-hopeful Notre Dame football fan, a reader, and - yes - a Swiftie. 

 

What’s next in store for Development at Facing History & Ourselves? 

 

In my first three months, my top priority is learning about the organization, its people, and our work. I want to engage with our content, get to know my new colleagues, connect with our board members and supporters, and truly listen and learn. We have an incredibly strong foundation in development, backed by a talented team of people. My goal is to build on that foundation by expanding our impact and growing the ways we connect our donors to the work. 

 

Investing in Facing History & Ourselves is about building a better, brighter future; it’s about learning from one another and learning how to navigate and celebrate our differences. This is an ongoing journey, and we are so fortunate to have such a dedicated community of supporters who have linked arms with us on it. My goal is to work together to continue building meaningful and rewarding connections to our mission for all of our supporters. 

 

Facing History & Ourselves in the News

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Our DC Workshop Was Featured in an Article

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New Jersey Teachers Name Us as Best Resource for Teachers

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Memphis Based Author and Scholar Celebrates Facing History & Ourselves

Learn with Us

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FEATURED ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

 

Redefining Belonging: Promises of the Reconstruction Era

Join us to explore Reconstruction, birthright citizenship as defined in the 14th Amendment, and New Orleans’ civil rights legacy. 

 

Democracy and Education in the World of AI: Building an Ethical Compass

A conversation about ways to empower students to navigate the world of AI as upstanders.

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Facing History & Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate.

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Facing History & Ourselves

89 South Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA, 02111, US, 1-800-856-9039