Kingmakers of Oakland’s Post

Deconstructing Colonialism and Neoliberalism in Education: Empowering Black Students In today's contemporary educational landscape, the imperative to dismantle colonial and neoliberal legacies has never been more urgent. Particularly for Black students, the impact of these entrenched systems can be profoundly detrimental, perpetuating cycles of inequality and hindering true educational equity. Colonialism, with its history of cultural imperialism and exploitation, laid the groundwork for systems that continue to marginalize Black voices and experiences within education. Neoliberalism, meanwhile, has further entrenched inequalities by commodifying learning, reducing it to mere market transactions where profit often takes precedence over pedagogy. But there is hope. By actively deconstructing these oppressive frameworks, we can pave the way for a more equitable and liberating educational experience for all students, especially those from marginalized communities. Key Steps to Empower Black Students in Education: Critical Reflection: We must critically examine the ways in which colonial and neoliberal ideologies permeate educational policies, curricula, and practices. This requires a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about our educational systems' complicity in perpetuating inequality. Analyzing the Curriculum: Identify and challenge Eurocentric biases and perspectives by decentering Whiteness as the norm. Include materials that reflect the experiences, histories, and contributions of Black and other marginalized communities. Centering Black Voices: Black students' voices, experiences, and perspectives must be central to any efforts aimed at transforming education. By amplifying these voices, we can ensure that educational initiatives are truly responsive to the needs and aspirations of Black communities. Embracing Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: Create inclusive learning environments where Black students see themselves reflected positively in the curriculum. Incorporate diverse perspectives, histories, and cultural assets into teaching practices. Meaningful Engagement with Black Communities: Foster partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations to understand their unique educational needs and aspirations. Co-create educational experiences that empower and uplift Black students. Advocating for Policy Changes: Advocate for anti-racist policies, equitable funding mechanisms, and the decolonization of educational structures at local, national, and international levels. Dismantle systemic barriers to educational equity. By prioritizing the empowerment and liberation of Black students within our educational systems, we not only redress historical injustices but also create a more just and inclusive society for future generations. #Education #Equity #Decolonization #BlackStudents #Liberation #Neoliberalism #SocialJustice

🔍 The Disconnect in Higher Education Representation It's essential to address a critical issue in higher education: the assumption that all Black men share the same experiences simply based on their race. Having a doctorate and being Black doesn't automatically mean one can relate to the struggles of kids from the hood. Growing up in the suburbs is a vastly different experience from navigating life in inner-city neighborhoods. Higher education institutions often place individuals who are the "face" of diversity without considering the depth of their understanding and connection to the communities they represent. This superficial approach fails Black men from disadvantaged backgrounds by not providing relatable and empathetic role models who truly understand their struggles. We need educators and leaders who have walked similar paths and can offer genuine guidance and support. It's time for higher education to move beyond tokenism and embrace authentic representation. Only then can we create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for all. #HigherEducation #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInEducation #AuthenticLeadership #EquityInEducation #BlackLivesMatter

📚✨ Join us at the Black Literacy Matters Inaugural Conference – where crucial conversations and impactful change intersect! 🌍🗣️ 🔍 Are you aware of the persistent achievement gap in literacy proficiency among black students? It's time to address this critical issue head-on! 📈📚 This conference is a must-attend for anyone committed to transforming the narrative and championing civil, human, and social justice. Whether you work with students, care deeply about education, or want to be an ally in the fight for equity – your presence is crucial! 🎤 Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce one of our phenomenal speakers, Dr. MItchell Brookins! 🌟 He will be presenting on a topic that dives deep into the heart of our mission. Get ready for an eye-opening session that will leave you inspired and empowered. Here's a sneak peek of his abstract: 📌 Session Title: Teaching Comprehension through a Culturally Responsive Lens 📃 Abstract: 📚✨ Join us at the Black Literacy Matters Inaugural Conference – where crucial conversations and impactful change intersect! 🌍🗣️ Engagement, relevance, and rigor are critical to creating academic success in today’s classrooms. Teachers are tasked with honing students’ literacy skills while making them critically aware of the world. In this session, participants will learn the importance of providing explicit comprehension instruction in syntax and text structure and how that deepens students’ understanding of grade-level, complex texts. Also, participants will learn the tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy. In this session, the intersection between culturally relevant pedagogy and explicit comprehension instruction will be used as a lens for instructional planning and creating learning tasks. It is through this intersection that we will explore how to create literacy experiences that collectively empower and equip our students to navigate and transform an increasingly complex world. 📆 Save your spot now – space is limited! 🚀 Register for the Black Literacy Matters Inaugural Conference at https://lnkd.in/eHwQn3YA. Let's come together, learn, and take meaningful steps towards a more equitable future! 🌐📖 #BlackLiteracyMatters #EducationalEquity #TransformTheNarrative

The fight for equitable education for Black students in the US has been ongoing for over a century, leveraging the court system to challenge and dismantle systemic inequities. A pivotal case dating back to 1894, Roberts v. The City of Boston, laid the groundwork for the separate but equal doctrine, which was later overturned by the momentous 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Other significant cases like Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York and Abbott v. Burke have addressed fiscal disparities, targeting state funding formulas to ensure all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, receive a sound education. In 2020, Gary B. vs Snyder focused on students' rights to foundational literacy, underscoring the minimum standards that public education must meet. These legal battles highlight the persistent pursuit of educational justice and the complexity of addressing long-standing funding inequities in US public schools. The implications for business leaders are manifold, including a diverse workforce, societal stability, and the cultivation of future talent. Read the full story by Aziah Siid from Word In Black at dallasweekly.com #Iamdw #blackpress #BlackStudentsMatter #EqualEducationRights #DesegregationVictory #SchoolFundingEquality #BasicEducationForAll Word In Black

👏🏾Today, on Black Teacher Appreciation Day, we #ThankABlackTeacher by sharing our Remix EQ Live #Education Playlist. Press play to listen and learn from innovative education leaders about how they make the world a more just place. https://lnkd.in/esPFfeda As you watch or listen to each episode, 🛠️ Add examples, strategies, and tools to your repertoire. 🔗 Connect to and visualize the important work being performed. 💡 Learn from and with guests about the experiences of the people and places they serve. ✨ Be inspired to make the world a more just place. —- 🎙️ The Remix EQ Live Education Playlist ▶️ EDUCATION 👉🏾 Venola Mason & Michael O'Neal discuss how to build equitable relationships and learning communities with students, teachers, and families. ▶️ ANTI-RACIST LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Tracey Benson discusses how he supports educational leaders to enact anti-racist practices in schools. ▶️ BLACK MALE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Ayodele Harrison & Dr. Christopher Small, PhD, discuss opportunities to invite and support Black men to cultivate their leadership in schools and beyond. ▶️ IN PURSUIT OF EQUITY IN EDUCATION FOR BLACK & BROWN CHILDREN 👉🏾 Josh Edelman discusses centering equity when investing in and partnering for more equitable educational outcomes. ▶️ PHILANTHROPY 👉🏾 Dr. Angela DeBarger discusses why investing in open education resources are key to empowering students and teachers within their learning communities. ▶️ LEARNING 👉🏾 Erika D. Tate, PhD discusses indicators and examples of instructional equity in classrooms and schools. ▶️ ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE DIGITAL LEARNING 👉🏾 Jean-Claude Brizard & Dr. Nichole Pinkard discuss how to increase access and sustain participation in STEM and digital learning among youth who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. ▶️ INTERSECTIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN COMPUTING 👉🏾 Yolanda Rankin, PhD & Jakita Owensby Thomas, Ph.D., discuss how they apply Black Feminist Epistemologies to learn about and support Black women in computing education and careers. ▶️ INVESTING IN EQUITABLE EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Jillian Whatley discusses implicit bias and shares anti-bias strategies to improve educational outcomes for Black and Brown children. #SocialJusticeWarriors #teacherappreciationweek #EquityinEducation #SocialJustice 

Check out this article in TIME to read why it's essential to invest in Black educators. https://lnkd.in/d6t-kNx "Because Black teachers enter the field in lower relative numbers than their peers of other races, because they are more likely to secure placement through often-inadequate alternative preparation, and because they take on more difficult teaching assignments and are thus less likely to persist in the profession, we must purposefully seek out and invest in those teacher-preparation models that have shown real results in reducing barriers to entry and empowering Black teachers to stay in their chosen profession for the long haul." - TIME article written by Erica Hines and Michael Hines, August 11, 2020. The @FAME Teachers' Academy is now accepting applications through March 15, 2024, for the 2024 Summer cohort. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/gGsuJgqG. Learn more about FAME at famefund.org. #education #pedagogy #teachertraining #diversityineducation

📚✊ Breaking Barriers in Education! 🎓🌟 Meet Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes, the trailblazers who shattered racial barriers in 1961 by becoming the first Black students to enroll at the University of Georgia. Their courage and determination ignited change, opening the doors of education wider for generations to come. 🚀📖 Their remarkable journey reminds us that education is a powerful tool for social progress and equality. 🌍📝 Let their legacy inspire you to break down barriers and pursue your dreams! 💪🙌 In 1961, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes made history as they became the first Black students to enroll at the University of Georgia, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and the fight for desegregation in the United States. Their journey was not without challenges, as they faced hostility and discrimination from some members of the university community. However, their determination to pursue higher education and break down racial barriers remained unwavering. Their enrollment at the University of Georgia was a significant step forward in the struggle for equal access to education, setting a powerful precedent for desegregation in institutions of higher learning across the South. Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes went on to have successful careers, with Hunter-Gault becoming a renowned journalist and correspondent for prominent news organizations, including NPR and CNN. Holmes became a distinguished orthopedic surgeon. Their courage and resilience serve as a reminder of the importance of education as a means of progress and equality. Their legacy continues to inspire individuals to challenge the status quo and work towards a more just and inclusive society. #Trailblazers #EducationForAll #BreakingBarriers #Inspiration #BlackHistory #Equality #UniversityOfGeorgia #Courage #Legacy #Juneteenth2023 #JuneteenthNYC #Juneteenthny #juneteenthnewyork #juneteenthnewyorkcity

 Register Now and Join us at the Black Literacy Matters Inaugural Conference – where crucial conversations and impactful change intersect!  Are you aware of the persistent achievement gap in literacy proficiency among black students? It's time to address this critical issue head-on! This conference is a must-attend for anyone committed to transforming the narrative and championing civil, human, and social justice. Whether you work with students, care deeply about education, or want to be an ally in the fight for equity – your presence is crucial!  Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce one of our phenomenal speakers, Diane Dragan!   She will be presenting on a topic that dives deep into the heart of our mission. Get ready for an eye-opening session that will leave you inspired and empowered. Here's a sneak peek of her abstract:  Session Title:When a School Does Not Offer Structured Literacy, What Next?  Abstract: Many schools do not have appropriately trained teachers or evidence-based curriculum in their districts. What options do parents have when their child needs services the school can’t or won’t offer? How can a parent get outside tutoring services paid for or private placement at public expense? What is a state complaint? What is a due process hearing? When should parents consider reaching out to an advocate or an attorney to assist a family in getting services? Knowing your child’s rights is essential to getting FAPE.  Save your spot now – space is limited!   Register for the Black Literacy Matters Inaugural Conference at  https://lnkd.in/e3qW3_6U.  Let's come together, learn, and take meaningful steps towards a more equitable future!    #BlackLiteracyMatters  #EducationalEquity #TransformTheNarrative

The research makes is clear: Black representation in schools leads to improved academic performance, higher graduation rates and more college degrees. Don't miss this great example of an initiative jumpstarting this representation in KQED: https://lnkd.in/gRyHQZpg

Educators, it’s time to crunch the numbers and face the facts! Black teachers are superheroes for Black students. Research throws down some undeniable stats! Black teachers = Higher test scores, stronger belonging, and college dreams taking flight for Black students. (Think Black Panther graduation rates, not detention!) Why the magic? Black teachers believe in their students’ potential, build positive connections, and expect greatness. (It’s the “we see you, we believe in you” effect.) Black teachers still only make up 6% of the public school workforce! That’s a representation crisis bigger than a misplaced decimal point. And guess what? Many teachers are leaving the field altogether. The question isn’t “self-care for Black teachers?” It’s “how do we stop the exodus?” Before we jump to solutions, let’s diagnose the problem. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dissect the reasons behind this teacher flight and brainstorm ways to keep these superheroes in our classrooms! Thoughts?🤔 #BlackBrillianceInTheClassroom #RepresentationMatters #EquityInEducation #BeyondSelfCare #TeacherRetentionRevolution #NumbersDontLie #BlackStudentSuccess #EmpoweringEducators #StayTuned https://lnkd.in/dh9huVtV