Oct 222 min read

Empowering Future Black Educators Through the Center for Black Educator Development

Updated: Oct 28

The impact of a teacher can last a lifetime, but for many Black students, finding role models who look like them in the classroom can be rare. The Center for Black Educator Development is working to change that by rebuilding the black teacher pipeline, a mission that’s not only critical for educational equity but for the future of our communities. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mimi McKee and Ansharaye Hines from the Center on the EduMagic Podcast. Here’s what I learned about the importance of Black educators and the incredible work the Center is doing.

Why Representation Matters

When students see teachers who look like them, it can inspire confidence, achievement, and a sense of belonging. Research shows that Black students who have even just two Black teachers during their early school years are 32% more likely to attend college. However, with only 7% of the current educator workforce identifying as Black, there’s a clear need for change.

The Black Educator Pipeline

Unfortunately, the decline in Black educators didn’t happen by chance. Following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, many Black teachers were forced out of the profession. The result? There is a significant drop in the number of Black educators and administrators, a gap the Center for Black Educator Development is determined to close.

Programs Making an Impact

The Center’s work spans several innovative programs aimed at engaging high school and college students who aspire to be educators:

Freedom School Literacy Academy: A summer apprenticeship that pairs high school and college students with experienced educators to build literacy skills in young students while learning how to teach.
Teaching Academy is a year-round program for high school students designed to prepare them for careers in education by grounding them in the history and practices of Black educators.
Black Teacher Pipeline Fellowship: A robust program offering financial and mentorship support to aspiring Black educators throughout their college years and into their early teaching careers.

Advocacy and Policy Change

Beyond education, the Center is heavily involved in advocacy work, pushing for policies that support the recruitment, retention, and success of Black educators. Their “We Need Black Teachers” campaign, driven by students, aims to raise awareness of the teacher shortage and inspire a new generation to join the field.

Join the Movement

The work being done by the Center for Black Educator Development is vital, and you can be part of the change. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about equity in education, there are many ways to support the Center’s mission.

Building a more diverse and inclusive education system benefits everyone. By supporting the development of Black educators, we are investing in the future of our students and our communities. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit the Center for Black Educator Development at thecenterblacked.org.

Visit the Center for Black Educator Development’s website or follow on social media to learn more about its programs and how you can support its work.