How Are Black Scholars Thriving?
How Are Black Scholars Thriving?
The independent school Black@ movement took off like wildfire in the summer of 2020.
The 'summer of racial reckoning' was a long time coming, fueled by Nikole Hannah Jones's 1619 Project and ignited by the murder of George Floyd. The combustion of historical white supremacy and violence continues to challenge our country's democracy and decency. And, independent school communities have not avoided the heat.
Challenged by a plethora of anonymous alumni & student testimony challenging racist behavior and practices curated through Black@ accounts, schools have just begun transparency and restoration for their role in accomodating traumatic experiences.
In talking with fellow panelist Carol Sutton Lewis, @groundcontrolparenting , about an upcoming Black@ discussion, we reflected on the various lived experiences among Black independent school alum and scholars.
Do all Black scholars and alum only survive through independent schools? Has the movement thrown schools under the bus? What type of impact has the Black@ movement had?
Elevating alumni and current scholar voices have led to strategic demands and fundamental changes for justice and belonging.
How are Black scholars doing two years later? Many Black students have thrived through self-care, excelling academically and socially while actively holding their schools accountable for becoming anti-racist institutions.
RIISE checked in with Josie Helm, Brearley '22 and leading founder of Black Students Demanding Change @blackstudentsdemandingchange . She says while she and other Black scholars may appear silent as they prepare for higher education, they're having an impact.
They are now negotiating with regional independent school associations about including their demands in the DEI accreditation process. Impressive.
Our scholars are thriving changemakers who know their value, are not afraid to have voice and visibility, and are supported by families who've prepared them to continue to create a legacy of excellence wherever they choose to belong.
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