Milken Family Foundation’s Post

On February 2, 1959, seventeen courageous Black students stepped forward to integrate the all-white schools of Norfolk, Virginia, amidst vehement opposition and societal challenges. This act of bravery came after the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision but was met with resistance, including the closure of public schools by the state to prevent integration. The Norfolk 17 faced daunting obstacles, from hostile crowds to isolation within their new schools. Yet, their resilience and determination paved the way for future generations to enjoy a more inclusive and equitable education system. Their story is not just a testament to their individual courage but also a critical chapter in the broader civil rights movement, highlighting the enduring struggle for justice and equality in America. Today, we honor the Norfolk 17, not only for their role in desegregating schools but also for their contribution to the ongoing journey toward civil rights and social justice. Their legacy reminds us of the power of perseverance, the importance of education, and the impact a group of determined individuals can have on shaping a more just society. Let's take a moment to reflect on their journey, discuss their impact, and continue to be inspired by their bravery. The road to equality is long and fraught with challenges, but the Norfolk 17 remind us that change is possible when we stand up for what is right. #Norfolk17 #BlackHistoryMonth #CivilRights #EducationEquality #HamptonRoadsHistory #SocialJustice

The Collegiate Black Male Network (The Collegiate Black Male Network) is preparing for our Founders Week celebration (February 4 - February 10) and are looking for your support. Annually, we host our conversation onThe State of The Educated Black Man. This is a roundtable discussion to highlight experiences of Educated Black Men. The theme for this year is "Letters To A Young Brother." This is a chance for professionals to share their insight and offer advice to young Black men, from their undergraduate experience. With this month being National Mentoring Month, it is only right to create such a space for young Black men. We are currently in search of four volunteer expert panelists who would be interested in speaking on their experience during this roundtable discussion. Please feel free to share! #BaltimoreProfessionals #BlackMaleProfessionals #HBCU #HigherEducation #NationalMentoringMonth

Incoming Kiwanis Club of Birmingham President Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, Executive Vice President & Chief Community Development & Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Renasant Bank, was featured this week in the Birmingham Business Journal's Guest Notebook regarding the dilemma of dismantling affirmative action. There are countless examples of individuals who have had meaningful access to public higher education due to affirmative action. They are significant and contributing citizens who are represented in every sector of private and public life in our nation and world. There is a positive aspect in these most recent actions involving higher education. Alabama is home to the largest number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. Their missions underscore the importance of providing access to higher education opportunities to all students, most especially those who come from underserved and marginalized communities and backgrounds. Therefore, now more than ever, it is crucial to prioritize the sustainability of these institutions, as they play a vital role in empowering and uplifting African Americans and others who seek their welcoming doors. Read more from this leader here in a recent Birmingham Business Journal article. https://lnkd.in/gikXd7w7

Brooks, R. (2023). Black Boarding Academies as a Prudential Reparation: Finis Origine Pendet. Columbia Journal of Race and Law, 13(1), 790-852. BLACKBOARDING ACADEMIES AS A PRUDENTIAL REPARATION: FINIS ORIGINE PENDET Roy L. Brooks “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” – William Falkner, Requiem for a Nun 85 (1951) With billions of dollars pledged and trillions of dollars demanded to redress slavery and Jim Crow (“Black Reparations”), the question of how best to use these funds has moved into the forefront of the ongoing campaign for racial justice in our post-civil rights society. Reparatory strategies typically target the norms and structures that sustain racial disadvantage wrought by slavery and Jim Crow. The goal of such transitional reparations is to extinguish the menace of white supremacy and systemic racism across the board. Restructuring in housing, education, employment, voting, law enforcement, health care, and the environment—social transformation—is needed in the United States if the race problem is ever to be resolved. That much is clear beyond peradventure. The hard question, however, is whether Black Reparations can take us there. Are Black Reparations (or reparations in general) powerful enough to engineer social transformation, or what in this case would be “transitional racial justice”? Unfortunately, I do not believe they can. The American race problem is simply too big for reparations to fix. It would take decades of massive amounts of government spending and the sustained moral commitment of the American people to achieve transitional racial justice in this country. The inflationary impact of the requisite spending (estimated at $6.4 trillion to $59.2 trillion) would give opponents of reparations an easy target. * I’m a lecturer, organizer, and research analyst fervent about developing communities where everyone flourishes. * If you found this post intuitive, please share and magnify the discussion. * Follow me and tap the bell on my profile to subscribe to my content. #rcg #researchequityanalyst #recruitmentmarketing #culturalcompetencytraining #historicalservices #tellthechildren #thetruth

💡 The educational landscape for Black boys in America is fraught with systemic challenges that create barriers to success. To create a more equitable system, we must implement tangible policy changes. Here are the focus areas I believe to be paramount: ✔️ Restorative Justice Practices: Replace zero-tolerance policies with restorative justice practices. These practices focus on mediation and agreement rather than punishment, reducing suspension rates and keeping students engaged in their education. This ideological framework ANTI-CARCERAL. Follow me to learn more. ✊🏾 ✔️ Equitable Funding: Advocate for equitable funding in education. Schools in predominantly Black and low-income communities often receive less funding, resulting in fewer resources and opportunities. We need policies that ensure all schools have the funding they need to support their students. 💰 ✔️ Teacher Diversity Initiatives: Promote policies that aim to increase the diversity of the teaching workforce. Diverse educators can provide relatable role models for Black boys and help to create a more inclusive and understanding school environment. 🌐 By focusing on these policy changes and others, we can create an educational system that supports and uplifts Black boys, helping them to reach their full potential. Check out my TEDx talk here: https://lnkd.in/e4h6t-5i #EducationalEquity #PolicyChange #RestorativeJustice #EquitableFunding #TeacherDiversity

Check out my latest article in Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.

I'm always impressed by the Yellowhead Institute, and this is next level. For Black, Indigenous and racialized folk active in community and place-based work, the Radical Relationalities Policy School might be for you. "This innovative program provides a radically different perspective on the study of policy through a decolonial lens, backed by research, and led by leading practitioners and scholars. The focus for the 2024 session is on building radical relationalities between Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities toward decolonial futures. Radical relationalities is a useful framework for cultivating and nurturing individual and collective relations with the view of shared decolonization and liberation. " https://lnkd.in/grB_BBSw

As we begin Black History Month, it is important for me to discuss how some states across the country have banned this topic from being taught in schools, which is not only detrimental to students of color, but all students. When it comes to history, past becomes prologue, so it is important that all students have the ability to learn about the rich contributions of Black Americans and the many obstacles we have overcome as a historically marginalized group. In no way is teaching Black history about guilting anyone, but instead it is focused on ensuring today’s youth know the shortcomings of this country’s past so they can avoid repeating them when they become our leaders of tomorrow. “While representation matters for Black students, it is also good for non-Black students. We can reduce stereotypes, eliminate prejudice and get rid of bias if kids who are not Black begin to hear affirming, positive stories about Black people, Black history and Black culture. So much misinformation exists, and that misinformation can lead to stereotyping, prejudice, racism or acts of discrimination.” – Tyrone Howard, UCLA Pritzker Family Professor of Education Ultimately, we must no longer segregate Black history to only one month a year when we acknowledge and celebrate it because Black history is American history. I encourage everyone to view the resources available from the Center for Racial Justice in Education in the link below and to share them with others in celebration of Black History Month. https://lnkd.in/eeAW53k9

https://lnkd.in/g27diVAt Today is the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Unfortunately, for many the promise of this decision hasn't been realized. I'm inclined to agree with this sentiment as our schools and neighborhoods remain nearly as divided as ever and the results couldn't be more striking. racism today, is not (usually) as striking or vocal as it was in this Era. today, it is mostly a background drumbeat in our society. what I find far more pernicious though is those who willfully frustrate the purpose of the decision (and the Civil Rights laws and decisions that flowed on from it) to impose new restrictions and create new challenges fir black and brown people. to be sure, we all (well, most of us) dream of equality. but it's factually inaccurate to imagine we've already achieved in it our society. we can't back away from the fight for a truly representative and equitable democracy. it is still a battle, and one I intend to wage with vigor.

9-MONTH PROGRAM: INTERACTIVE BLACK HISTORY LESSONS, DISCUSSIONS, AND ACTIVITIES. INCLUDES VOLUNTEERING, FIELD TRIPS, AND MORE! FOR 8TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS. Register and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e82WakNS . . . #blackhistory #browardcounty