Black & Educated: It's a Mood
Toni Morrison’s passing evoked an outpouring from readers around the globe who found their own value, voice and higher self through phenomenal and gut-wrenching tales of race and Black society. A prominent figure of literature and scholarship, Morrison not only represented excellence within education, she represents excellence in spite of an inherently disadvantageous education system.
US News says that teachers of color represent 18% of educators. That percentage shrinks as the demographics become more specific. Black males represent just 2% of teachers — this, while approximately 49% of public elementary and secondary school students are children of color.
Studies show that diversity is quintessential in a classroom as a student’s performance is directly related to how much an educator can relate to a student’s personal, racial, socioeconomic, emotional or physical path. Despite existing barriers in public education, young women and girls continue to thrive amidst the academic achievement gap. According to The Root, by both race and gender, a higher percentage of Black women (9.7%) are enrolled in college than any other group, topping Asian women (8.7%), white women (7.1%) and white men (6.1%).”
Wage disparity, employment and leadership role availability, and cultural workspace conflict still persist as post-graduate workforce problems; however, matriculation is something to be celebrated. So in honor of Black women starting more businesses and receiving more degrees per academic year than any other group in the racial rainbow, we want to praise the future and current Toni Morrisons, Octavia Butlers and Kathleen Johnsons of the education realm and the educators that groom the Black minds to come with the educational mood board of all boards. Enjoy!
