Month: February 2017

Black Voices, Black Choices: “Do not lose faith in parents and communities.”

For many Black families, choosing a school means ensuring that the culture and climate of the school will support and validate their children. Too often school systems label, diagnosis, and penalize Black children for displaying everyday child behaviors.  Meet Robert Eschmann: What is your dream for your children’s education? I want them to have the tools to pursue their interest, wherever…

Black Voices, Black Choices: “Children are an investment in our future.”

For many Black families, education is about maintaining the high-quality experiences they had as a child. They know what a great school is because they experienced it themselves and they want that same experience for their children.  Meet Delilah Brooks: What is your dream for your children’s education? I always dreamed my children’s education would prepare them to be successful men and…

Black Voices, Black Choices: “Educating the masses versus individuals only delays the children’s development.”

For many Black families, education is about finding a school that affirms their children’s identity as African Americans. Many schools glaze over the contributions Black people have made to this country. Black families want their children to learn about the greatness of their people so that their children can do the same.  Meet Shawndra Young: What is your dream for your children’s…

When It Comes to the School Funding Lawsuit, Please Don’t Play the “Are they playing the Race Card” Card

It bothers me that whenever anyone has the courage and fortitude to publicly call out racial discrimination, their comments and actions have to undergo a basic test of validity; namely the “Are they playing the race card” test. It always bothers me. And it bothers me that Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool and the five parents who joined the…

Black Voices, Black Choices: “Everyone deserves a fair education”

For many Black families, education is about beginning anew. It’s about taking the opportunity to help the next generation avoid mistakes the previous generation has made while preparing them for the future. Today’s parent is working tirelessly to nurture her kids so that they develop a love of learning she never possessed.  Meet Tina Ward: What is your dream for your…

Black Voices, Black Choices: “I Value the Moral Development of a School’s Curriculum as Much as the Academics.”

For many Black families,  education is more than content knowledge. Education is the vehicle through which children develop the core characteristics of who they will become.  This is important because Black parents are in a constant fight with society about who their child is, and who they will become.  Meet Jelani McEwen: What is your dream for your children’s education?…

Black Voices, Black Choices: “I Want My Son to Be a Determined Student”

For many Black families, we are trying to help our children achieve a level of educational excellence that we didn’t achieve. Today’s mom is wrestling with this tension as she works to help her child become a determined and dedicated student.  Meet Cassandra Maceyras: What is your dream for your children’s education? My dream for my son is to finish…