The widespread influence of systemic racism is deeply ingrained in the fabric of our society. The massive cultural, educational, and historical sabotage has been taking place for centuries. The curriculum contains no traces of our real, African history. This pushes our people to seek alternatives, such as culturally affirming after-school programs.
According to the Critical Race Theory, it’s important for everyone to acknowledge the struggles of our ancestors and consciously strive for a less racist future, especially when it comes to our children. They deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and consideration, starting with their early years in school.
However, things are easier said than done. The rampant force of systemic racism is unlikely to slow down and we, as parents and educators, have to seek practical solutions as soon as possible. There is no time to waste, especially when our children are purposefully kept in the dark about their own African culture and ancestry.
In this article, we’d like you to become familiar with some of the best nonprofit organizations that relentlessly aim to dismantle the institutional racism that, sadly, seems to characterize our nation.
The Children’s Defense Fund
Established over four decades ago, The Children’s Defense Fund stands out as a force to be reckoned with. Not only do they acknowledge the pervasive educational inequity, but they also work with Congress and the federal government in order to shed light on our youth’s various issues. Their after-school activities stand out as brilliant strategies for counteracting poverty.
It’s important to point out just how vital after-school activities are to our community. According to the Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3 PM study, the demand for after-school activities remains high and unmet. The COVID-19 pandemic is mostly responsible for this incredible interest in qualitative after-school programs.
What The Children’s Defense Fund promotes is something very close to our hearts. One of their many after-school programs aims to provide K-12 students with culturally relevant and high-quality books that uplift African history and traditions. We strongly believe that knowledge is power and that our children deserve to familiarize themselves with the African way of living and learning.
Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ)
Of course, we couldn’t talk about extraordinary nonprofit organizations without mentioning Harlem’s Children’s Zone (HCZ). Their history is nothing short of fascinating. Determined to end intergenerational poverty in the Harlem area, HCZ has managed to achieve in two decades what others could not in centuries.
Their complex after-school programs take inspiration from the Social and Emotional Learning framework, among many other things. By focusing on the child’s mental and emotional wellbeing, the journey to college becomes increasingly easier to tackle.
Their cause resonates with ours, at The Village Method, because it aims to connect children and their families through meaningful family engagement activities. Our young ones deserve a fair chance at getting into their dream colleges. During their K-12 years, they should set a secure foundation for their success. HCZ makes a promise to all its young scholars. They will get into college, against all odds.
Comer School Development Program
This incredible program was initiated over five decades ago, for low-income and low-achievement elementary schools. Since then, the Comer School Development Program has been implemented in more than 1000 schools. This impressive milestone speaks of the program’s high effectiveness.
The school management team, children, and their parents are challenged to join forces and come up with a plan for each school’s overall wellbeing. This is an awesome example of how powerful family engagement can be.
The Village Method (TVM)
What makes our mission stand out from other after-school programs is that we focus on nurturing the life of a whole child. The Village Method gives traditional after-school activities a much-needed twist with the help of family engagement activities and Social and Emotional Learning.
We are strong advocates of providing children with a historically accurate outlook on their African roots. The curriculum fails to include our people’s real history. The richness of African culture and traditions is simply undeniable. Our children deserve to absorb this vital knowledge very early on.
We are also determined to get all children into their dream colleges. First-generation college students have always struggled to find the necessary motivation and resources to fulfill their academic dreams. That is why we’ve established ScholarPrep Nation in order to help future college students and their parents along the way.
The Conclusion Is…
Yes, nonprofit organizations can surely help tone down the intensity of systemic racism. The fact that the Critical Race Theory remains outside the current curriculum should raise our concerns and make us think. Is the schooling system enough to help our children become the self-aware, empowered adults of tomorrow?
Qualitative and culturally respectful after-school programs are what all parents should look into. Not only are they essential for the harmonious nurturing of the students, but they also tend to their hunger for Afrocentric knowledge.
The Village Method is here to provide its scholars with high-quality after-school programs that uplift the African tradition. Our incredibly rich cultural heritage requires its rightful credit. We invite you to explore our cause by visiting our website, volunteering, or simply donating. We believe that your ongoing support will benefit many children, and we invite you to stay tuned for our next blog post