The Importance of Education in the African American Community

Let’s take a walk through history, reflect on present-day realities, and look ahead at what still needs to be done. This article dives into the importance of education in the African American community - where it started, where it's going, and why it still matters more than ever.

A History Rooted in Struggle and Resistance

The fight for education in the African American community didn’t start in a classroom - it started in secret meetings, against the law, and often under the threat of violence. Back in the days of slavery, teaching a Black person to read was illegal in many parts of the South. So why did they risk so much just to learn the alphabet?

Because education meant power.

From Frederick Douglass to Sojourner Truth, early Black leaders knew that literacy was the first step towa