Reclaiming Thursdays: Teaching the Foundation of Black History

When we realized that the teaching of Black History was facing restrictions, challenges, and even political opposition, we decided it was time to talk with the children.

I began with a simple question: “What do you know about Black History?”

Many shared that they had learned a few lessons in February during Black History Month. Their responses were honest but heartbreaking. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman were the only names mentioned.

It stirred something deep in me.

So, I asked them about the individuals I now call the “Foundation of Black History” — the pioneers who formed my personal foundation of learning:

• Matthew Henson

• Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

• Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

• Shirley Chisholm

• Ida B. Wells

• And of course, my lifelong crush, Frederick Douglass

To my surprise — and sadness — none of the children had ever heard of them.

That moment sparked a new tradition: Thursday Black History Lessons.

The Moment That Broke My Heart

During one of our early discussions, a child quietly shared something that truly shook me:

“I don’t want to learn about Black History. People at school might think I’m weird for knowing that stuff.”

Can you imagine what that kind of thinking can do to a young person’s self-esteem and sense of identity?

It was heartbreaking — but also clarifying. That statement made our mission even more urgent. We knew we had to build spaces where children could see themselves, their history, and their heritage reflected with pride and joy.

Building Confidence Through Culture

Every Thursday, the classroom comes alive. The children eagerly grab their composition books, ready to take notes and share insights.

During question-and-answer time, I’m amazed at how deeply they engage — how they connect lessons to their own lives and express new pride in who they are. Their curiosity gives us a window into their motivations, thought processes, and growing confidence.

It’s beautiful to witness.

Now, everyone knows: Thursdays are dedicated to Black History, unless an outside event is scheduled. It’s become a time not just to learn facts, but to reclaim identity — one story, one hero, one conversation at a time.

Final Reflection

Teaching Black History isn’t just about names and dates. It’s about self-worth, resilience, and identity. When children learn about the brilliance and perseverance of those who came before them, they begin to see that same brilliance within themselves.

Our Thursdays remind us that knowing our history is not “weird.”
It’s powerful.
It’s healing.
And it’s necessary.

Picture credit-Unseen-Histories@Unsplash.com