[Weekly Inspiration] Students Call for Stronger Black History Curriculum

We love to see inspiring students who take charge of their learning and work with their school to implement positive change. For example, check out the students at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College. Last fall, they traveled to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and what they learned motivated them to drive change within their district’s U.S. History curriculum.

“You cannot teach American history without teaching African American history,” said senior Zyeria Turner-Johnson, who’s curiosity about her past helped inspire the trip she attended with fellow students.

DMLK's Black Student Alliance (BSA), teachers, and staff spoke to the DPS board last week speaking toward their takeaways from their trip to D.C. and how DPS needs to update their curriculum. @MelanieAsmar @ChalkbeatCO @NMAAHC @DPSNewsNow https://t.co/GR2QOXOtsE pic.twitter.com/H4sfiP4gHp

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College (@dmlkjec) January 28, 2020

With the help of teachers and district leaders, the teens’ input has sparked major changes to the curriculum. Currently, school board Vice President Jennifer Bacon is working to add units on the cultural and political history of Africa, American slave rebellions, Marcus Garvey, Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, and Hurricane Katrina’s impact on communities of color, to name a few.

As junior Janelle Nangah put it, “I saw how much my ancestors fought for me to be where I am today and I’m going to continue the fight.”

Read more about how the students working with their district on Chalkbeat!