Imagine How Different Our Country Will Be When We, Collectively, Honor Black Excellence  

Imagine how different our children would be if they were aware of the many contributions that black people have made to improve the world throughout history?  Imagine, for a second, how different our country will be when we, collectively, honor black excellence, beyond the month of February—a time designed to reflect upon Black History.

As Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans I lead the Initiative in working with a national network of caring and concerned adults to accelerate the learning and development of African American students of all ages.  Throughout Black History Month, as is our practice throughout the calendar year, we will find ways to educate empower and engage anyone who will listen, and those who don’t yet know they need to listen to stories of unparalleled excellence.  We hope that our efforts to draw meaningful connections between the past and the present change hearts and minds in ways that provide all black children with the love and support needed to thrive.

Begining February 1, 2016, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (Initiative) will host a series of events that celebrate African American achievements, past and present, by honoring those who have supported the learning and development of African Americans throughout history as well as affirming and supporting African American students of all ages. As we celebrate icons of the past during Black History Month, it is critical that we look toward the future by ensuring that African American students are equipped with the tools and skills necessary to thrive.

Every weekday, in February, at 9 AM EST, the Initiative, in partnership with the Because of Them, We Can Campaign, will disseminate videos and images of African American activists, past and present, to highlight black excellence—individuals who have supported the cognitive, social and emotional development of African Americans of all ages.  The goal is to educate, empower and engage—in innovative ways that allow children to step into the shoes of cultural icons and truly understand that because of them, we can.

On February 3, 2016, Jeremiah (10 years of age) and Joshua (8 years of age) West, authors of Champions of Change: Live to Give, will join Initiative Director David J. Johns at Browne Elementary School to read a book they authored about the importance of  spending, saving and sharing.  The event will also engage parents and educators to emphasize the importance of early learning.

On February 4, 2016, the Initiative will host a College & Career Success Event for 9th and 10th grade students at Anacostia High School from 1 pm – 3 pm EST to celebrate black excellence by ensuring that African American students know they can graduate from college and are supported in preparing for the college admissions and financial aid process.   

From 10 am -12 pm EST on February 8, the Initiative, in partnership with First Book, will invite elementary-aged male students of color in the DC area to the Department of Education for an interactive and engaging morning of reading, dancing and celebrating. The event will highlight prominent figures in black history who challenge and disrupt negative stereotypes about African American youth, with a specific focus on boys and men of color and provide a platform for youth to speak about their experiences in schools and receive affirmation for their lived experiences.

From 3 pm – 5pm EST on February 8, the Initiative will screen the film The Rule as part of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans Film Screening and Discussion Series (#AfAmEdFilms). The Rule documents the achievements of St. Benedict’s Prep, an all boys’ college preparatory school with a near 100% college acceptance rate. Following the screening, audience members will engage in a student-led discussion on ways to support boys and men of color so that they feel safe, supported, and engaged at home, in school and within their community.

On February 10^th at noon, the Initiative will host a Supporting Educational Excellence for Boys & Men of Color (#AfAmEdChat) to discuss best practices on supporting male students of color.

On February 17 at noon, the Initiative will host a Supporting African American Students in STEM Programs and Careers #AfAmEdChat in partnership with Code Fever Miami to highlight Black Tech Week, an immersive week long series of events that brings together the most innovative young minds to address common challenges. The chat will virtually connect young minds to discuss barriers in STEM, including President Obama’s recent action to expand access to computer science and highlight critical resources for caring and concerned adults, families and students.

We encourage you to find ways, throughout the year, to celebrate Black Excellence and to support the learning and development of Black children, youth and young adults too.

The Root aims to foster and advance conversations about issues relevant to the black Diaspora by presenting a variety of opinions from all perspectives, whether or not those opinions are shared by our editorial staff.

David Johns is Executive Director of The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans which was established by President Barack Obama in 2012 to strengthen the nation by improving educational outcomes for African Americans of all ages, and to help ensure that all African Americans receive an education that properly prepares them for college, productive careers, and satisfying lives. Learn more about the Initiative by visiting www.ed.gov/AfAmEducation.