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EdChoice Empowers Families to Choose the Best Schooling Environment

NNPA NEWSWIRE — On the first day of the conference, Emory Edwards, EdChoice’s Vice President of Outreach, asked the influencers, who had backgrounds in journalism, media, and education, and most of whom were parents, “What can we do to truly support our black kids and cultivate community?”
The post EdChoice Empowers Families to Choose the Best Schooling Environment first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

8 months ago

March 11, 2024

Oakland Post

By Dawn Montgomery
Black Press USA Contributor

Austin, TX — Last week, I was one of 10 Black influencers who arrived here ready to discuss the future of education for young people during the Southwest (SXSW) Education Conference.

EdChoice, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to understanding and advocating for a K–12 education system that empowers all families to choose the schooling environment that best fits their children’s needs, organized the gathering at the Thompson Hotel, and the hospitality was top-notch. On the first day of the conference, Emory Edwards, EdChoice’s Vice President of Outreach, asked the influencers, who had backgrounds in journalism, media, and education, and most of whom were parents, “What can we do to truly support our black kids and cultivate community?”

A few participants shared their educational backgrounds and explained how education started in their homes. This icebreaker exercise underscored how each person would add value to this layered topic. It was great to hear the range of experiences while everyone held space for others who may not have experienced the same thing in their homes. We were all moms, fathers, or professional aunties, finding ways to cultivate community through shared content. A producer from TheGrio shared her confusion about being brought into this discussion, but it took the group only a short time to help her understand her value in this room.

There’s value in sharing your experiences with other people, and there’s value in being someone who can help amplify or produce these stories. This fight to keep our books in school libraries, remove police and school resource officers from schools, and save Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education while challenging the school choice narrative is pivotal. Advocating for school choice is often perceived as a “Republican thing,” but after hearing Edwards explain EdChoice’s mission, that mindset shifts instantly.

Many Americans are pro-school choice but are afraid to admit it because of how the Left has weaponized it. Parents need to have the right to choose which school their child attends. There’s power in knowing that a parent has that right. While the SXSW Conference is best known for its interactive sessions and “hip” music festivals, SXSWEDU should also be on your radar. The gathering of educators, businesses, policymakers, community members, thought-leaders, experts, and influencers shows a vast range of topics that can happen here. However, there’s still room for it to grow. EdChoice’s staff shared how they realized years ago how programming kept the few Black & Brown attendees from supporting each other, so they networked among those attendees to change this.

Several organizations at SXSW are collaborating this year to create, promote, and fund educational programs that center on Black and Brown voices. Understanding that Black educators are overlooked and unrepresented in school choice conversations is crucial. EdChoice invited Black influencers in education to attend this conference to create impactful discussions. With that intention, you know this experience will shift the narrative.

EdChoice polls thousands of parents nationwide to understand how they feel about the schools their children attend. School districts and legislators should acknowledge parent preferences so that they know how their community feels and what they need. Legislators could create more inclusive bills and discover ways to spread resources across their state if they considered parents’ concerns. Some legislators think they know better or do not care about parents’ preferences.

Finding ways to have conversations across party lines and connect with people wherever they are on their educational journey is essential to EdChoice. Everyone who participated in the discussion was Black and shared similar educational journey stories; however, you ‌could still hear differences in how they approach and view our school systems today.

EdChoice is doing what most organizations fail to do: creating space for Black and Brown perspectives on education. I hope EdChoice will continue to engage Black educators in discussions like this at future SXSW Conferences so that we can do our part to save American school systems that fail our children.

The post EdChoice Empowers Families to Choose the Best Schooling Environment first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org