The School of Public Policy, in partnership with the School of Public Health, hosted the fourth annual Karabelle Pizzigati Lecture on Children’s Advocacy, honoring Pizzigati’s lifelong commitment to ensuring the well-being, safety and education of all children. The lecture is part of the Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative, established in her honor, which equips the next generation of advocates with the knowledge and skills to advance policies that strengthen outcomes for children and families.
This year’s speaker was Sean Johnson, executive director of the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA). Johnson has spent nearly three decades in political organizing, campaign management and education advocacy, including leadership on the development and passage of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a landmark education reform plan aimed at expanding opportunity and fairness for students statewide.
Johnson emphasized the critical link between advocacy and education. “Children don’t have billionaires fighting for them, but they do have us. And that single truth defines our moral responsibility,” he said, urging attendees to stay “loud, loving and relentless” in their pursuit of justice for children.
In his remarks, Johnson reflected on how public education serves as the foundation of democracy and a powerful anti-poverty tool, emphasizing that disparities in access and funding are policy choices that can be changed. He also detailed Maryland’s progress in expanding early childhood education, strengthening teacher recruitment and compensation and creating new pathways for college and career readiness through the Blueprint.
Pizzigati Fellow Melissa Mason shared how her experience in the fellowship shaped her calling as an advocate. The event concluded with the presentation of the Karabelle Pizzigati Spirit Award to Johnson, recognizing his leadership and dedication to improving the lives of Maryland’s children.
The lecture celebrated the contributions of Karabelle Pizzigati and the passion and purpose of students and practitioners who continue her mission. As Clinical Professor and Karabelle Pizzigati Fellows Initiative Program Director Brandi Slaughter noted in her closing remarks, “Advocacy is our calling and responsibility … It’s not just about policy; it’s about people. It’s about every child whose potential deserves to be seen, nurtured and protected.”