Alonzo Robertson’s Post

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were founded as a direct response to segregation. Black educators and students were excluded from attending and teaching at existing institutions of higher learning, so they established their own, the first of which was in 1837 (Cheyney University of Pennsylvania).  These spaces founded the distinguished sororities and fraternities known as the Divine Nine of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC). True to form, in support of the upcoming presidential election, The Divine Nine is showing up and showing out, and NO ONE is surprised! Mobilizing their 2.5 million members, the Divine Nine is educating people of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds about their voting rights—one church, charity, and community group at a time. Beyond their significant role in American academia, this collective of Black leaders continues to demonstrate the power of a strong network to drive real, tangible change. ❓ Are you a member of an NPHC organization? 🤔 How have your professional networks influenced your industry? Share your experiences in the comments. #NPHC #Divine9 #HBCUs #HBCU

We’re thrilled to kick off #TeacherAppreciationWeek 🍎 with our new #UNCFk12 study finding Black parents and caregivers report better outcomes when there are more Black teachers at school. Our groundbreaking study, "Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K-12 Education," provides invaluable insights into the perspectives of African American parents on key issues in education and highlights the importance of Black teachers to Black families. Read our report here: UNCF.org/parentvoices #UNCFk12 #UNCFParentVoices

Should Black history be made compulsory in the UK schooling curriculum? Talking and reflecting on Black history should not be solely limited to the month of October, it is important that children have the opportunity to learn about both the incredible and the devastating Black stories that have shaped society today in the UK. Learning about this history is a valuable way to help instil empathy and understanding in children, and combat the presence of racism in schools. #BlackHistoryMonthUK #BlackHistory #ReclaimingNarratives #CurriculumChange

I just…. Aside from the annoying conversation… I want us to also start noticing when certain thought patterns are at play. As a society we are conditioned to default to all or nothing thinking. As well as a host of other thought patterns (read Tema Okun’s paper on white supremacy culture). Conversations like this are why I fundamentally feel like coaching needs to always be involved in DEI work. I can spit facts to someone all day, but if they are standing firm in their all-or-nothing thinking (and not realize they’re doing it), we’ll be talking in circles all day. Long-lasting and impactful DEI work is not just about learning facts and making structural changes. We have to learn to interrupt and address these thought patterns in order to welcome nuance and creative problem solving.

So, what is the periodic table? It's a system for arranging the chemical elements. All matter is made up of basic substances known as chemical elements. Each chemical element has a unique property known as its atomic number. That number is derived from the number of subatomic particles known as protons in each atom of the element. Scientists use the periodic table to quickly refer to information about an element, like atomic mass and chemical symbol. My mind is about to explode, so see my comment below for more information. #blackexcellence #womenshistorymonth #chemistry

While Tennessine itself may not have immediate practical applications, its discovery represents a significant step forward in our scientific understanding and technological capabilities. The discovery of Tennessine (Ts), element 117, is significant for a few reasons: Completing the Seventh Row of the Periodic Table: Tennessine filled the last empty slot in the seventh row of the periodic table. This completion helps solidify the current structure of the periodic table and our understanding of how elements are organized based on their atomic structure. Island of Stability: Tennessine falls within a predicted zone of superheavy elements called the "island of stability." Unlike most elements beyond Bismuth on the periodic table which are very unstable and decay quickly, elements in this island are predicted to be more stable, lasting for longer periods. Tennessine's existence provides evidence for this island's existence and motivates further research into its properties. Pushing the Boundaries of Nuclear Physics: Synthesizing Tennessine involved complex procedures and powerful machines. It demonstrates our growing capability to manipulate matter at the atomic level and deepens our understanding of nuclear physics and the forces that hold atomic nuclei together. International Collaboration: The discovery of Tennessine involved collaboration between scientists from Russia and the United States. This kind of international cooperation is crucial for scientific advancement, especially in challenging areas of research. #blackgirlmagic Lisa B. repost

Our offices are closed today as we celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on its profound legacy in our work. This holiday marks the end of institutionalized slavery across the United States, but it also signifies the beginning of a new struggle for equal rights under the law for Black Americans. Central to this ongoing challenge was the education of the formerly enslaved. “For the nearly four million, mostly illiterate and recently freed African Americans, education was a crucial first step, after emancipation, to becoming self-sufficient. Learning to read was not only desirable, it was oftentimes necessary to protect freedoms, find employment, and communicate with separated family members,” writes the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). In the decades following the Civil War, civil rights and education leaders and activists like James Milton Turner, Richard H. Cole, Charlton Tandy, Homer G. Phillips, Sidney Redmond, and countless others established St. Louis as a hub of the Black education movement and a beacon in the battle for desegregation. Today, disparities in Black and white education outcomes persist. Because of this, we reaffirm our commitment to dismantling the systems of segregation that continue to plague our school systems. This Juneteenth, we celebrate the progress that has been made in bringing high-quality education to all students in St. Louis, particularly in historically underserved Black communities. We also acknowledge the work that remains in driving educational equity and bridging the achievement gap for our Black students. Read more from St. Louis Public Radio and the NMAAHC at the links below: https://lnkd.in/eCjEpMv4 https://lnkd.in/ga-n9Nub #Juneteenth #HappyJuneteenth #EducationEquity #FreedomSchools #StLouisEducation #learningfromourpast

Last week, members of the EdVoice team attended the ACLU California Action, Black Parallel School Board, and BLACK ORGANIZING PROJECT INC event introducing their State of Black Education Report Card. The report card includes recommendations and community perspectives on how to close the opportunity gaps created by the legacy of slavery and colonization, structural racism and discrimination, continued school segregation and underfunding, and other factors. Read the full report card: https://lnkd.in/drNXjTW7 #StateOfBlackEducation #EducationEquity #EducationEquityForAll

Racial inequities in education lead to lost opportunities in life. As families prepare to send their children back to school, investing in Black-led, community-rooted, strength-based organization unapologetically focused on Black children and their success at school and in life, has proven to closes the opportunity gap. This is who EPiC is and what we do. https://lnkd.in/eaSbC6aK

The Children's Defense Fund’s theory of change calls CDF into ongoing conversation with the communities we serve to build a comprehensive policy agenda for child well-being. Our numerous discussions with CDF Freedom Schools scholars, parents, and youth leaders; faith organizers; and young people in our Black Student Leadership Network collectively painted a vivid picture of the world we want for our youth. This policy agenda, presented at CDF’s 50th Anniversary celebration in November, presents these aspirations and illuminates the policy paths to achieve them. It recognizes that children themselves cannot be the only locus of intervention for their well-being. Their life outcomes are first impacted by the environments, families, school systems and neighborhoods in which they sing, dance, and play. Transforming our communities--from national to local--will create the conditions in which all young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.