February is Black History Month! While we must celebrate the lives of Black people every day, we believe it is important to also take time during Black History Month to recognize the rich and complex history, hard-won triumphs, and persistent challenges faced by Black people.
We especially want to highlight ways to support Black students, who continue to face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing excellent and equitable schools.
For five decades, IDRA has remained committed to achieving excellent, equitable schooling for diverse students in our pioneering style that intersects research, policy, practice and community engagement. We’re happy to share news and resources with you as we kick off this special month.
2025 Features
Articles
Black Girls Can Make History When We Support them in School, by Morgan Craven, J.D., & Makiah Lyons, J.D., February 20, 2025
Confronting Hair Discrimination in Schools – A Call to Honor Black History by Protecting Student Rights, by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., Makiah Lyons, J.D., & Tionna Ryan, February 20, 2025
New Data Hub Spotlights School Discipline of Black Girls in Georgia, by Nickell Brown & Makiah Lyons, J.D., February 20, 2025
The Power of Black Teachers, by Kaci Wright, February 26, 2025
African Roots, Latin American Soil – In the Classroom, Explore the Vibrant Culture and History of Afro-Latinos, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., February 26, 2025
Teacher Tool
Classroom Tools for Exploring the Vibrant Culture and History of Afro-Latinos
2024 Features
Articles
A Policy Agenda to Support Black Students, by Morgan Craven, J.D., February 27, 2024
Going Back to that Beautiful History – In Defense of African American Studies, by Terrence Wilson, J.D., February 27, 2024
Black Students Belong – The Case for an Afrofuturistic Education, by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., February 27, 2024
Books by Black Authors to Add to Your Classroom Library, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., February 27, 2024
Books by Black Authors for Your Classroom
2023 Features
- February 24, 2023 – Black History through Music, Art, Song & Dance; Rejecting Antebellum-era Policies
- February 16, 2023 – Knowledge is Power – Laws to Support Black Students; Youth summit invite; Classroom lessons; and more • (Español)
- February 7, 2023 – Black History Month – The Story that Refuses to be Silenced – People to know, Lesson plans, Key policies, Segregation through vouchers, Joys of learning Black History
Articles
The Story that Refuses to be Silenced, Terrence Wilson, J.D., February 7, 2023
The Father of Black History – What Carter G. Woodson Continues to Teach Us About Our Present Moment, Makiah Lyons, February 7, 2023
School Segregation through Vouchers – What Policymakers Can Learn from a History of State Efforts to Use Vouchers to Avoid Integration, Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., February 7, 2023
Texas Lawmakers Propose Laws to Support Black Students, History and Heritage, Chloe Latham Sikes, February 16, 2023
Georgia General Assembly Considers Legislation that Would Support Students, Terrence Wilson, J.D., February 16, 2023
33 Years Later, Tough on Crime Still Bad for Students, Makiah Lyons, February 24, 2023
Bans on Black Literature and Learning are Nothing New – State Lawmakers Must Reject Calls to Reinstate Antebellum-era Policies, Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., February 24, 2023
The Pivotal Joys of Learning Black History
We Must Do the Right Thing – Honoring the Legacy of a Southern Civil Rights Hero, Thomas Marshall III, M.Ed., February 7, 2023
Owning Our History – Henrietta Wood’s Story, Alisha “Tuff” Tuff, February 7, 2023
The Power of Music – A Reflection for Black History Month, Alisha “Tuff” Tuff, February 16, 2023
It Takes a Village to Change the World, Steve Kemgang, February 24, 2023
Black History through Music, Art, Song & Dance, Terrence Wilson, J.D., February 24, 2023
Highlights of Classroom Lessons in the IDRA SEEN School Resource Hub ~ We All Belong
- Gladys Bentley – Gender-Bending Harlem Renaissance Performer and Musician, Unladylike2020
- African American History: Climbing the Wall, PBS History Detectives
- CulturED Collection #2 – E-raced: A Lesson Uncovering the False Science of Race, IDRA
- Yes, She Can: Michelle Obama, IDRA
- Leading the Fight with Lead, IDRA
- Successes and Failures in Resistance to Slavery, PBS Learning Media
- AIM Framework for Teaching Intercultural Skills – IDRA Classnotes Podcast Episode 230
- Tools for Teaching About Race and Culture – IDRA webinar
- The Real World: Understanding the Difference Education Makes, IDRA
- Sissieretta Jones – Opera Star & First African American Woman to Headline a Concert at Carnegie Hall, Unladylike2020
- The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, C-SPAN
- Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin, David Waldstreicher with C-SPAN
See these lessons and more on the IDRA SEEN School Resource Hub ~ We All Belong
2022 Features
Honoring the Arms that Lift Us – Southern Stories from Our Black Staff
This month, some of IDRA’s Black staff members will share their experiences of how family, teachers and community, particularly Black women, have impacted their lives and sent them on a trajectory in working for justice and student opportunity in education.
The Value of a Culturally-Sustaining Home by Terrence Wilson, J.D.
Reflections on my Grandparents by Morgan Craven, J.D
Growing Up HBCU by Paula N. Johnson, Ph.D.
You Can’t Erase Herstory – Reflections on Rubye Holliman’s Legacy by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D
Doing the Work of Love – A Letter to the Community who Raised Me by Thomas Marshall III
Resources
- Students Speak Against Classroom Censorship
- Resources for Learning
- Resources for Safe Schooling
2021 Features
- Understanding and Addressing Racial Trauma and Supporting Black Students in Schools: A special issue brief developed in partnership with the Excellence and Advancement Foundation
- IDRA Statement: Police in Schools Harm Students
- Culturally-Sustaining Curriculum
- A Black Student-Focused Policy Agenda for States
- Invitation to Altheria’s Black History Month Read Alouds!
- IDRA’s Statement in Support of Black Lives
