"Between packing lunches, ironing uniforms, managing after-school meltdowns, and trying to stay involved in the PTA, the transition to school life can feel overwhelming for parents and kids alike. While some parents worry about curriculum gaps or what’s on the lunch menu, one of my biggest concerns is how my child’s school teaches Black history.
As the wife of an educator and the daughter of a 25-year veteran teacher, I know firsthand the challenges educators face. They are underpaid, underappreciated, and underresourced. I also know how different it feels transitioning from a daycare setting, where cameras are in every room and parents have direct influence over what’s being taught, to a public school system where access is much more limited.
This shift became real for me when my daughter started Pre-K this year. We chose a school we love and have found a wonderful community, but I was still nervous. With so much focus on the transition to “big kid school,” I worried that core values like antiracism, identity affirmation, and culturally inclusive education might get pushed to the back burner.
Why Teaching Black History is Important in Schools
At home, we have the tools to teach our daughters Black history beyond Rosa Parks and MLK. But ensuring she thrives in her learning environment isn’t just about what we teach at home—it’s also about what her peers learn. Because representation, cultural diversity, and affirmation in the classroom don’t just impact Black children; they shape how all children see the world.
While I can’t be in the classroom every day or change the state curriculum, I’m not powerless. I’ve found ways to stay involved and ensure my daughter—and her peers—are learning Black history at school in a that reflects the full truth of our culture. Here’s how I advocate for Black History Month as a Black mom:
Start Early
It’s no secret that teachers have one of the hardest jobs in the world. As someone who deeply appreciates the work they do, I know that flooding their inbox with ideas in the middle of February isn’t the best way to ensure an impactful Black History Month. That’s why I start early.
The key is planting the seed from the moment you meet the teacher and making it clear that you want to be a partner in your child’s education, not someone who dictates what should be done. Before we even get back from winter break, I’m already thinking through ideas to make Black history part of my daughter’s classroom, the PTA, and the larger school community.
I make a point to connect with Black teachers, administrators, and the principal to talk about how we can make Black History Month a true celebration and not an afterthought. Whether it’s organizing dress-up days, setting up a Black History Month book display in the library, or planning a school-wide event, my goal is to make sure the entire school embraces it, not just one classroom. Real representation and learning happen when Black history is integrated into the fabric of the school, not just sprinkled in for a few weeks.
Be Prepared With Ideas, But Open to Collaboration
When bringing ideas to a school community, there’s a balance between offering support and unintentionally adding more to a teacher’s plate. I never want to walk in expecting them to do all the work, but I also refuse to sit back and wait for change to happen. Being involved in my child’s education means working with the people shaping her learning experience, not just making requests from the sidelines.
I want my daughter’s teachers to see me as a resource, not just another parent with a list of demands. Families and community members can play a role in making culturally responsive education a priority, but that starts with being prepared. When I suggest ideas, I make sure they’re realistic and easy to implement, whether that’s sharing a Black History Month book list, suggesting a simple classroom activity, or offering to help bring in a guest speaker. I also stay open to feedback because collaboration is what makes these efforts successful.
And I don’t do this alone. I connect with other parents who care about this just as much as I do because schools are more likely to listen when families advocate together. At the end of the day, this isn’t just about my daughter learning Black history. It’s about ensuring the entire school does better.
Get Creative with Black History Month Ideas
Black History Month doesn’t have to feel like a boring history lecture or the same recycled lessons about enslavement, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, and MLK. There’s so much more to explore, and even just looking at the past 50 years shows us a wealth of Black excellence worth celebrating. But beyond that, an even better approach is recognizing that many school communities are actively raising future Black history figures.
Black History Month Ideas for Schools
Incorporating Black history doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or require a big production. You can get creative with Black History Month ideas for different school activities and events such as:
Student Art & Gallery Walks: Let students create artwork inspired by Black artists, historical figures, or cultural movements and display it in hallways or host a gallery walk for families.
Black History Parade: Have students dress up as historical and modern Black figures and do a fun school-wide parade to showcase their contributions.
Cooking & Culture Night: Food is such a powerful way to connect with history. Host a night where students and families can bring and learn about dishes from across the African diaspora.
Representation on the Walls: Representation matters. Ensure that Black figures, cultural contributions, and affirming messages are visible throughout the school.
Morning Announcements: Start the day with short, engaging facts about influential Black leaders, inventors, and artists beyond the well-known names.
Celebrating Black history should be engaging, interactive, and affirming. It should feel like something students experience, not just something they memorize for a quiz. The more creative and intentional schools get, the more meaningful it becomes for every student—not just Black children, but the entire community.
Keep the Same Energy at Home
While what happens at school is important, it means nothing if that same energy is not carried into our homes. Black history does not begin and end in the classroom. It should be present in our bookshelves, the media we consume, the conversations we have, and the way we experience culture.
At home, we can go deeper, be more creative, and make Black history an everyday part of life. That could mean reading books by Black authors, watching movies and shows that highlight Black stories, visiting Black history museums and cultural spaces, or simply playing music and cooking meals that reflect the richness of the diaspora.
Black history is about culture, innovation, and joy, not just struggle. I want my daughter to see it as something to be celebrated year-round, not just something she learns about in February. And that starts at home and at school!
Daizha Rioland, Contributing Writer
Born and raised in Dallas, Daizha is an antiracist parenting consultant and advocate. With a unique blend of motherhood and storytelling, she seeks to shift narratives about People of The Global Majority and how they take up space in this world. A self-proclaimed coffee fanatic and taco lover, Daizha spends her days raising two young antiracist daughters, walking around the lake by her house, and binging episodes of Real Housewives of Potomac.