Portrait of Black School Founders: Demystifying Education Freedom
In mainstream media, school choice is often portrayed as a policy that takes money away from public schools and caters only to the wealthy and white elites. However, the existence of Black school founders and their commitment to education freedom directly challenges these misconceptions. As the founder of Black Minds Matter, a national movement supporting education freedom, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of Black education entrepreneurs. In 2020, we launched the first-ever Black-founded schools directory, which now houses over 400 schools owned or operated by Black education entrepreneurs.
To shed light on the reality of school choice, my colleagues Dava Cherry, Ron Matus, and I conducted a survey of the 100-member Black School Founder Network. The survey, completed by 61 founders, provides valuable insight into the diverse landscape of school choice. Contrary to popular belief, most school founders surveyed identify as Democrats. This highlights the fact that school choice is not a conservative issue, but rather a human issue that resonates across party lines. Furthermore, the respondents expressed active involvement in state-level school choice advocacy, bringing in educators, Democrats, and people of color into the arena.
It begs the question: Why do opponents of school choice ignore or downplay the strong support for this policy among the Black community? Acknowledging this support would require them to abandon their unfounded attacks that private, charter, and independent schools only serve affluent, white, or gifted students. Our survey of the Black Founders Network revealed a different reality. The majority of the school founders serve predominantly Black student bodies, with many also working in schools with a significant population of low-income students, students transitioning from traditional public schools, and students below grade level when enrolled. Moreover, 25 out of the 61 respondents stated that 20 percent or more of their students have special needs, exceeding the nationwide average in public schools.
This survey unequivocally demonstrates that the notion of school founders cherry-picking the best and easiest-to-teach students is a myth. In reality, schools of choice prioritize diverse learning environments and accept students from all backgrounds. Contrary to the public versus private narrative often presented, many founders in the survey previously worked in traditional public schools. Their motivation to create their own schools stems from their desire to better serve the community, Black students, and all students while incorporating Black history and experiences into the curriculum. The goal is to provide families with options and the freedom to choose the best education for their children.
However, the path to establishing these schools is not without its challenges. The survey revealed that educators face numerous obstacles, including securing start-up funds, finding adequate salaries and benefits for themselves and their staff, and securing suitable facilities. To improve outcomes, policymakers and donors must pay attention to the ideas and goals put into action by Black educators who strive to better their communities every day.
Encouragingly, this year has seen an unprecedented number of states passing or expanding school choice. For Black families who have struggled for generations to access high-quality education for their children, this represents a significant milestone. There are countless educators eager to open schools or utilize the resources provided by school choice programs in their states. It is the responsibility of policymakers and advocates to ensure that entrepreneurs and educators have the necessary tools and support to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in their communities.
In conclusion, the portrait of Black school founders reveals a powerful narrative that challenges prevailing myths surrounding school choice. It emphasizes that school choice is not confined to a specific political ideology and garners substantial support from the Black community. The survey highlights the diverse student bodies served by these schools, debunking notions of exclusivity and elitism. The mission is clear: to provide families with options and empower them to choose the education that best suits their children’s needs. As the school choice movement gains momentum, it is crucial to support and amplify the voices of Black educators who are driving change and promoting educational freedom. Together, we can create a future where every child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background.
