Freedom School Exec Visits
Francis Burns UMC hosted a special visit June 25 from Dr. Starsky Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Defense Fund and its action council. Wilson saw the program in action, speaking with parents as well as students, servant leader interns and administrative staff to learn more about the specific needs of the community. (South Carolina Advocate Photo)
South Carolina Advocate | July 30, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C.—Francis Burns United Methodist Church hosted its 12th Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School this summer, enabling rising fourth through ninth graders to boost literacy and reading skills, engage in dialogue about social justice and become world-changing critical thinkers.
The camp, which ran June 16-July 25, welcomed 33 students—called scholars—this year as one of more than 100 Freedom Schools held in 100 U.S. cities across 30 states.
Francis Burns also hosted a special visit June 25 from Dr. Starsky Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Defense Fund and its action council. Wilson saw the program in action, speaking with parents as well as students, servant leader interns and administrative staff to learn more about the specific needs of the community.
Wilson told the Advocate he was excited to be in South Carolina, as the CDF’s founder, Marian Wright Edelman, hails from Bennettsville. He said he was particularly honored to see the Francis Burns Freedom School and hear from their participants.
“This congregation has clearly decided children are a priority. It’s a sense of clear, discerned call for their congregation,” Wilson said, lifting up how the church’s theology for children’s well-being is both inspiring and impactful.
Wilson said it’s important for him to travel to Freedom School sites so he can hear firsthand from community members about the unique needs they have. In his line of work, children’s health and welfare are always a priority for people in Washington, but there’s a mismatch versus what he hears from Freedom School participants. When he gets into communities, he hears over and over that advocacy work doesn’t adequately address violence or the need for good education.
“It’s very clear—when you ask parents about their kids, they always talk about the schools. Public education is still the big thing,” he said.
He brought those same questions that night to parents: What are your challenges? What are your needs?
Freedom School is held for six weeks every weekday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., throughout June and July. Most of the day is spent reading and discussing books and their themes in-depth. The scholars also take field trips, host speakers on important topics and do service projects.
To learn more about Freedom School, visit https://www.childrensdefense.org/our-work/cdf-freedom-schools.
For more on Freedom School at Francis Burns, email info@francisburns.org.
Jessica Brodie
Jessica Brodie is editor of the South Carolina Advocate, from which this article is republished with permission.