R&B artist and community advocate Chantel Sings has released “Billy Likes to Bully,” a children’s book tackling bullying with cultural relevance and heart.
Education
A space for local and national stories about issues surrounding education, especially as they relate to African Americans.
Posted inEducation
Youth lead conversations on digital wellbeing
Teens led a powerful community conversation on screen time and mental health at a St. Paul event hosted by The Sanneh Foundation and LiveMore ScreenLess.
Posted inEducation
Saint Paul’s new superintendent says Rondo lives on in her soul
Dr. Stacie Stanley, a proud SPPS graduate, returns to lead the district as superintendent, pledging to build equity, boost morale, and invest in students’ futures.
Posted inEducation
Child care providers demand respect — and full funding
At the Minnesota Capitol, child care providers and advocates called for urgent, full funding and respect for early educators serving families statewide.
Posted inEducation
For Black students, college affordability now at risk
Congress is considering a bill that could reduce Pell Grant funding for low-income students, potentially making it harder for Black, low-income students to afford a bachelor’s degree and discouraging them from pursuing higher education.
Posted inEducation
What borrowers need to know as Federal loan default collections resume
The federal government is resuming debt collections for millions of borrowers who defaulted on their student loans, and borrowers are urged to take immediate steps to get out of default and avoid scams.
Posted inEducation
International students still stuck in Trump limbo
The Trump administration’s policy on international students is changing rapidly, with a federal judge hearing arguments on Monday that the administration’s lawyers did not know what the new policy was, while an attorney representing international students argued that there was a lack of clarity regarding the policy.
Posted inEducation
DEI attacks are backlash for Black progress
Black students are disproportionately impacted by the rollback of inclusion, equity and diversity policies, as they have made significant progress in high school graduation rates and are underrepresented on college campuses due to a lack of resources and funding in K-12 schools.
Posted inEducation
Black Students Push Back on ‘Inclusive Excellence’ rhetoric
Northern Illinois University’s decision to change its messaging from “confronting racism” to “dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence” has sparked concerns among Black students and faculty, who fear the university is backing down on its commitment to racial healing.
Posted inFinance
From Piggy Banks to Paydays: Teaching Kids Smart Money Habits Early
Financial experts Ebony Beckford and Sharita Humphrey recommend starting to teach children about money early, starting as young as two years old, to help them develop healthy financial habits and become their own financial safety net.
Posted inEducation
Why Free Tuition Alone Won’t Get Black Students Into Harvard
Elite colleges such as Harvard University are expanding access to their institutions, but the barriers for Black youth begin long before the Common App, with systemic inequality and wealth disparities making it difficult for them to compete.
Posted inEducation
Children’s books author, publisher has found her calling
Minnesota author and entrepreneur Crystal L. Stein captivated young readers and families with a unique multisensory storytelling event featuring readings from her “Echoes of Excellence” collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers and artists of color such as Florence Price, George Bridgetower, and Winifred Atwell.
Posted inLocal & State
Harvest Best Academy CEO removed amid lawsuit alleging negligence in sexual abuse case
The founder and long-time leader of Harvest Best Academy Charter School in North Minneapolis, Eric Mahmoud, has been removed from his position by the school’s board of directors following a second lawsuit alleging sexual abuse at the school.
Posted inEducation
Black Greek organizations stay relevant in changing times
Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations have been pillars of scholarship, service and activism within the Black community since their inception in the early 20th Century, providing leadership, academic excellence, and community empowerment, and continue to shape the next generation of leaders.
Posted inLocal & State
Grassroots programs cushion Trump attack on civil rights
President Trump’s executive orders have sparked controversy over the Department of Education’s DEI programs, but local organizations like the Black Family Blueprint and NdCAD are working to empower Black families with education, emotional healing, and support.
Posted inEducation
Without Diversity and Inclusion Safeguards, More Black Students Risk Misclassification and Being Underserved
Black students are disproportionately represented in special education programs, often due to punitive measures rather than supportive ones, and are at risk of misclassification and inadequate support as the Department of Education faces potential dismantling.
Posted inEducation
AI in Schools: Revolution or Risk for Black Students?
AI is being rapidly integrated into classrooms nationwide, but its rapid adoption could exacerbate existing racial disparities and leave Black students without reliable access to technology, highlighting the need for careful consideration and inclusive policies.
Posted inLocal & State
Minneapolis public schools face $75 million budget deficit
Minneapolis Public Schools is facing a $75 million budget deficit, which may lead to cuts in special education services, staff and programs.
Posted inEducation
Child care crisis heats up over high costs, low wages
Child care workers in Minnesota are struggling to afford the high costs of child care, with the state’s wage statistics revealing that Black or African American workers make up 13% of the workforce in child care, and the federal funding freeze has threatened the funding for child care assistance.
Posted inEducation
Bringing Black studies to Black communities
Stanford Professor Adam Banks regularly flies from California to Cleveland to teach free African American studies classes at UnBar, a Black-owned coffee shop, to create a safe space for Black people to engage with their history, culture, and identity.