Category: Black Community

Black Community, Nashville

Nashville’s First Black Female Schools Leader Is Criticized For — Leading

I’ll make this brief. “Researchers found that when a group is shown photos of different people, black women’s faces were least likely to be recognized out of a group of white men and white women. Statements said by a black woman in a group discussion were also least likely to be correctly attributed compared to black men, white women, and white men.” Harvard Business Review … Continue reading Nashville’s First Black Female Schools Leader Is Criticized For — Leading

Vesia Hawkins4 Comments
Black Community, Tennessee

Tennessee: Replace Hate and Ignorance With Love and Tolerance, For the Children

In February, an 8th grade social studies class in (wealthy) Brentwood, TN was given a homework assignment for Black History Month that required them to “create a list of expectations for your family’s slave.” Shortly after the Brentwood incident, a school in neighboring Columbia, TN came under fire for an eager teacher who asked students “would you rather be a slave or shot and killed?” … Continue reading Tennessee: Replace Hate and Ignorance With Love and Tolerance, For the Children

Vesia Hawkins2 Comments
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville, School Choice, Tennessee

Tennessee Clumsily Waltzes Into The World Of Private School Tuition Assistance

Say the word voucher without a hint of vitriol in the company of hardcore Democrats and you have effectively declared war. Last week, my timeline was littered with white people calling other white people racist in response to the Great Voucher Battle of 2019 at the Tennessee State Capital. I understand the anger, but, uh, some of the name-callers should absolutely refrain from pulling the … Continue reading Tennessee Clumsily Waltzes Into The World Of Private School Tuition Assistance

Vesia Hawkins2 Comments
Black Community, Nashville

A Community In Pieces

The Metro Nashville Public Schools that exists today is a product of forward-thinking community leaders who believed in serving all citizens more efficiently by combining city and county governments forming what we know as Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, affectionately known as Metro. Since 1963, the district has seen segregated schools and creating busing plans, celebrated the district’s unitary status – removing any hint of … Continue reading A Community In Pieces

Vesia Hawkins5 Comments
Black Community, Nashville

Black Nashville Takes A Stand For Students and Embattled Director Dr. Shawn Joseph

I didn’t want to go. I had no interest in attending an event billed as a rally for youth and Dr. Shawn Joseph during a time the embattled director of schools is fighting for a contract renewal. “What good,” I asked myself, “could a Thursday night church rally of Black community members and leaders do to bridge the school board/director divide, repair broken relationships between … Continue reading Black Nashville Takes A Stand For Students and Embattled Director Dr. Shawn Joseph

Vesia Hawkins2 Comments
Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

Nashville Mom: “Purpose Prep Changed the Course of My Daughter’s Life”

Today happens to be school selection results day and tens of thousands of families spent the weekend with stomachs filled with butterflies waiting to find out if Lady Luck or the Woman Upstairs worked on their behalf.  I vividly remember the angst of those days leading up to Education Fate Day. At the time, my family had fewer choices as charter schools were not an … Continue reading Nashville Mom: “Purpose Prep Changed the Course of My Daughter’s Life”

Vesia Hawkins1 Comment
Accountability, Black Community, Nashville

During Black History Month, A Community Works To Keep Black Excellence A Thing Of The Past

Even though Black History Month is a whopping twenty-eight days, I had to take a break. As adults across the country Google “black history” to find popular quotes and identities of successful Black thinkers, athletes, and performers, black students sit in schools with little chance to achieve the heights of those they’ve been told is worthy of celebration. I’m taking a break from BHM because … Continue reading During Black History Month, A Community Works To Keep Black Excellence A Thing Of The Past

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