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Make A Difference in Your Community Today
✨ Welcome to CDSS-ESL
✨ Welcome to CDSS-ESL
Community Development Sustainable Solutions–East St. Louis (CDSS-ESL) is a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing education, empowerment, cultural preservation, and reparative justice across Southern Illinois.
Community Development Sustainable Solutions–East St. Louis (CDSS-ESL) is a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing education, empowerment, cultural preservation, and reparative justice across Southern Illinois.
Through hands-on programming, community partnerships, and grassroots leadership, we create sustainable pathways for families, youth, and entire neighborhoods to thrive. From our Parent Mentor Program and Prestige Professional Apprenticeships, to Juneteenth celebrations and reparations advocacy, we build capacity where it matters most — at home, in schools, and across our communities.
Through hands-on programming, community partnerships, and grassroots leadership, we create sustainable pathways for families, youth, and entire neighborhoods to thrive. From our Parent Mentor Program and Prestige Professional Apprenticeships, to Juneteenth celebrations and reparations advocacy, we build capacity where it matters most — at home, in schools, and across our communities.
We don’t just envision change — we develop it.
We don’t just envision change — we develop it.
Featured Programs
Featured Programs
CDSS PARENT MENTOR PROGRAM
CDSS PARENT MENTOR PROGRAM
📘 Parent Mentor Program
📘 Parent Mentor Program
Empowering parents to lead from the classroom to the community.
CDSS-ESL trains and supports local parents to serve as mentors in neighborhood schools, building bridges between families, teachers, and students — while developing leaders from within.
PRESTIGE PROFESSIONAL APPRENTICESHIP
PRESTIGE PROFESSIONAL APPRENTICESHIP
💼 Prestige Professional Apprenticeship
💼 Prestige Professional Apprenticeship
Workforce development rooted in purpose.
Our apprenticeship pipeline prepares high-potential community members for careers in education, administration, and beyond. CDSS-ESL builds the next generation of Black educators and changemakers through hands-on training and career pathways.
MISS IL JUNETEENTH PAGEANT/ JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
MISS IL JUNETEENTH PAGEANT/ JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
👑 Miss IL Juneteenth Pageant / Juneteenth Celebration
👑 Miss IL Juneteenth Pageant / Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrating heritage, scholarship, and freedom.
From our statewide Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant to Metro East’s vibrant Juneteenth festivities, we honor Black excellence, uplift cultural pride, and create space for community-led healing and joy.
“Upcoming Events”
“Upcoming Events”
🏛️ ADCRC Public Hearing
🏛️ ADCRC Public Hearing
April 26, 2025 • 10:00 AM
April 26, 2025 • 10:00 AM
SWIC Belleville Campus
Join the African Descent Citizens Reparations Commission as we gather testimony and voices from Southern Illinois communities to move justice forward.
🎉 Juneteenth Motorcade & Festival
🎉 Juneteenth Motorcade & Festival
June 14, 2025 • CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, IL
June 14, 2025 • CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, IL
Join us for a powerful community motorcade and cultural festival as we honor our ancestors, celebrate our heritage, and uplift joy and justice in motion. This is Juneteenth in full color — music, food, dance, and pride.
Join us for a powerful community motorcade and cultural festival as we honor our ancestors, celebrate our heritage, and uplift joy and justice in motion. This is Juneteenth in full color — music, food, dance, and pride.
👑 Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant
👑 Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant
July 19, 2025 • Belleville, IL
A celebration of brilliance, beauty, and Black girl leadership. Watch as young women from across Illinois compete for scholarship awards and the title of Miss Illinois Juneteenth 2025.
July 19, 2025 • Belleville, IL
A celebration of brilliance, beauty, and Black girl leadership. Watch as young women from across Illinois compete for scholarship awards and the title of Miss Illinois Juneteenth 2025.
🤝 Get Involved with CDSS-ESL
🤝 Get Involved with CDSS-ESL
Whether you’re a parent, professional, partner, or advocate — there’s a place for you in this movement.
Whether you’re a parent, professional, partner, or advocate — there’s a place for you in this movement.
Join us in building educational equity, economic opportunity, and cultural empowerment throughout Southern Illinois.
Join us in building educational equity, economic opportunity, and cultural empowerment throughout Southern Illinois.
Ways to Get Involved:
Ways to Get Involved:
- Volunteer with one of our community programs
- Partner as a sponsor or organizational ally
- Donate to support youth, family, and reparations-focused work
- Attend upcoming events and celebrations
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