LIBERATORY EDUCATION
School Services Program
Education for Liberation
The School Services program was originally launched in 1969 to “increase and improve teaching about Africa” in U.S. schools, and from 1972 to 1976 it flourished under the leadership of Evelyn Jones Rich, an activist and former New York City educator. Our program aims to eliminate the harmful practice of introducing students to Africa and its Diaspora solely through the lens of domination, and the persistence of poor educational outcomes, particularly among students of African descent. AAI partners with primary and secondary schools in Southeast Michigan to provide pedagogical training, curriculum development, needs-based resources, coaching and/or skills-building.
Pedagogical Training
We provide partner schools with pedagogical training that draws on results-oriented research about teaching, learning, and the brain. Each training session equips teachers to transform students into cognitively independent, high-achieving, life-long learners.
Curriculum Development
Our School Services Program provides content-focused training and supports the development of curriculum that is scholarly and free of misinformation. We support schools in creating curricula that serves as both "mirrors" for students of African descent and "windows" for all students to learn about diverse cultural experiences.
Needs-Based Resources
We provide a variety of resources to schools and teachers to assist in elevating and learning from student voices, as they embrace their own learning. Resources at partner school sites are determined after a needs-based assessment and may include teaching materials, professional development, school personnel to strengthen school climates and/or improve student educational outcomes.
Coaching and Skills-Building
Our School Services Program provides coaching and skills-building that is designed to strengthen the capacity of school staff to demonstrate culturally responsive teaching and/or leadership. This includes cultivating the active support and engagement of all stakeholders - students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members.
Online Resources
For Educators, Parents, and Students
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Howard University’s vision behind Bouctou is to create an online resource for the K-12 classroom by providing informative articles, scholarly research and engaging commentary, and to support the curriculum by contributing quality Africa-focused resources and material.
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The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Library of Michigan worked with educators to showcase Black authors and their literary works, creating calendars in celebration of Black History Month that are available year round. The lists include book talks and daily lessons from educators include a range of content areas and grade levels, and the standards to which the lesson aligns.
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For Howard University’s new project, Read Africa Aloud, features author readings of outstanding books on Africa together with classroom applications and fun activities for children. Readings include The Talking Baobab Tree, by Nelda LaTeef, and I Lost my Tooth in Africa, by Penda Diakité.
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HarperKids Storytime is a youtube series from from HarperCollins Children's Books, featuring authors and illustrators reading aloud their books. Illustrator Laura Freeman reads the picture book version of Hidden Figures, the incredibly inspiring true story of four Black women who helped NASA launch astronauts into space.
