In the years after the Civil War and emancipation, Black Americans pursued every opportunity to become literate. One observer said “after the war, every former slave became a learner, every person a teacher, every place a school.” Realizing today’s problems with public education have roots in yesterday, we discuss the lessons learned at the end of the 19th century.
Sharif El-Mekki, founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, and principal of Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia, joins the show for a special #FreedomFriday episode focusing on the roots of Black education.
