Upon completion of the Octavius V. Catto Memorial, the education outreach program was introduced. The O.V. Catto Memorial Fund partnered with cultural institutions and the Philadelphia School District’s Curriculum Office, with support from Philadelphia’s corporations and foundations, to train a cross section of educators to teach over 11,000 students about Octavius Valentine Catto and the meaning of his life and legacy.

This initiative engaged teachers addressing how their own perceptions on race impacted their teaching. It also focused on student views on race from lived experiences and civic conversations through their study of the racial violence that ended O.V. Catto’s life.

The project’s purpose was to enable our emerging citizens to participate in civil discourse about their world today and to explore what they thought needed to be addressed. In many respects, the Catto Education Project has truly honored Catto’s legacy as an educator and has sought to expand young minds and encourage their civic participation.

As we think about next steps for building strong communities, it is our duty to mold articulate and vigilant citizens for our future. We must strive to enable more young people to learn about Octavius V. Catto and how they can complete his unfinished revolution.

Explore more about Octavius V. Catto and the American Civil Rights story at www.ushistory.org/catto.