At the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, educators and advocates called for urgent investment in schools, protection for vulnerable students, and teaching full American history. NEA leaders warned that disinformation, gun violence, and immigration raids are pushing students out of classrooms and urged policymakers to fund education and defend truth.
Education Equity
Posted inEducation
Children’s bookstore inspires early love for books
Planting People Growing Justice, a Black woman-owned children’s bookstore and publisher inside Gideon Barbershop, is growing literacy and youth leadership in South Minneapolis. Founded by Dr. Artika Tyner, PPGJ centers books that reflect the African Diaspora and offers storytimes, workshops, and author visits to help kids “read to lead.”
Posted inEducation
Dualeh returns to lead Normandale’s Sirtify® program
Normandale appoints Mustafa Dualeh as Sirtify® program coordinator, strengthening efforts to increase Black male representation in education careers.
Posted inEducation
“A seat at the table:” Marvis Kilgore aims to empower Black male teachers through community and code
2025 Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore is launching a series of statewide roundtables focused on increasing the number of Black male teachers in Minnesota. As executive director of Code Savvy, he’s also leading youth STEM mentorship rooted in community connection.
Posted inCommunity Voices
In case no one ever told you this, you should be a teacher
With fewer than 50 Black men teaching in Minnesota elementary schools, this personal reflection from St. Paul delivers a stirring message: our boys are being lost in a system that doesn’t see them. The solution starts with more Black men in the classroom.
Posted inEducation
Normandale teaching programs redress racial imbalances
Leticia Alvarez became the first graduate of SpedUP, a Normandale program supporting BIPOC special education teachers with tuition, mentoring, and real community.
Posted inEducation
Morning Glory Montessori’s core mission is supporting Black boys
Morning Glory Montessori is a new, all-boy, Black-led Montessori school in south Minneapolis that’s reimagining early childhood education for Black children with faith, justice, and community at its core.
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.