The elation I felt upon my acceptance to Ohio State University felt too distant to recall as I walked out of my chemistry final. As a first generation stud
Read Moreanti-racism
Teens Talk About Racism
Martina, a high school sophomore, told her teacher she was nervous about talking with students from other schools about race. As she boarded the yellow sch
Read MoreWhat’s So Hard About Telling Me How My Kid Is Doing in School?
Everyone agrees and research confirms that actively engaged parents produce more successful students. Nevertheless, school systems often conspire to deny p
Read MoreI Do Not Need My Freedom When I’m Dead
I wish I was a poet; Langston or Sonia Sanchez would know just what to say. They would be eloquent in their simplicity. Poignant. Powerful. I don’t possess
Read MoreIt Is Our Righteous Duty to Say F— the Police
I’m going to have to stand in a pulpit with the team of church leaders at my church in Englewood on Sunday. Our congregation is Black. Our community is Bla
Read MoreWhat to the Chicago Principal Is the Fourth of July?
It’s time for the Fourth of July! A time for cook outs, pool parties, and family but to me it’s more than coordinating a “red, white, and blue” outfit and
Read MoreHere’s What I Learned as the Token Latino Student in College
Looking back at my experience as a first-generation college student, I admittedly had no clue what I was doing. I nodded my head and asked questions withou
Read MoreWhy Black Girls Need Diverse Books
As a child, I loved spending Saturday afternoons at Eso Won Books, a Black-owned bookstore in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The store was f
Read MoreWhy Some Students Don’t Show Up for the First Day of College
Every year around this time, my Facebook feed fills up with one of my favorite things: graduation photos. It is such a great time of pride and excitement f
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