By Any Means Necessary: A Comprehensive Guide for Black Texans on School Choice By Pastor Kyev Tatum

A Comprehensive Guide for Black Texans for School Choice:

Introduction: A Historical Perspective on Education for Black Texans by Pastor Kyev Tatum

Education for African Americans in Texas, and throughout the South, has long been shaped by the unique challenges of segregation, disenfranchisement, and racial injustice. Long before public schooling was available to Black children, communities found innovative ways to provide education through private, faith-based, and grassroots efforts.

One of the most significant and inspiring examples of these efforts was the Rosenwald schools, a network of schools built in the early 20th century, which were instrumental in educating generations of Black children across the South, including in Texas. The Rosenwald schools were born from a collaboration between Booker T. Washington, the founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, the son of Jewish immigrants who led Sears, Roebuck & Company. Together, they launched a program that provided funding to build 4,978 schools across 15 Southern and Border states between 1912 and 1937.

These schools were built by Black communities, who raised money and worked together to construct buildings that would provide African American children with opportunities for learning despite the oppressive systems of the time. Rosenwald schools represented the power of community-driven education and the resilience of Black Texans in the face of adversity. They were vital in fostering educational achievement for generations of African Americans, and many students who attended these schools would go on to become leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.

In Texas, as in other states, these schools provided an essential foundation for Black education, serving not only as places of learning but as cultural hubs that brought communities together. The legacy of the Rosenwald schools is a testament to the importance of private education and the power of community-led efforts to overcome systemic inequities.

The Importance of School Choice: Building on the Legacy

The legacy of Rosenwald schools and other private educational efforts in Black communities highlights the historical importance of private education in advancing Black progress in America. The creation of schools in the face of segregation, racial violence, and economic hardship demonstrates how Black communities have always sought better educational opportunities for their children. This history should guide contemporary efforts to advocate for school choice in Texas, particularly for Black children in underperforming districts.

As we look to the future, it is critical to ensure that today’s Black children have the same opportunities to access quality education, whether through private schools, charter schools, or other alternatives to traditional public schools. School choice represents a way to honor this history while empowering families to make the best decisions for their children’s future.

I. Legislative Priorities for School Choice

1. Expand Parental School Choice

• Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Allowing families to use state funding for private, charter, or homeschool education.

• School Vouchers: Providing financial assistance to allow students to attend private schools of their choice, regardless of income.

• Charter Schools: Expanding the availability of high-quality charter schools, especially in underserved communities.

• Private and Faith-Based Schools: Advocating for policies that support religious and private schools as viable options for families seeking alternative educational opportunities.

2. Equity in Funding and Resources

• Ensure that school choice initiatives are accompanied by adequate funding to ensure all students, regardless of the type of school they attend, have access to quality resources and support.

3. Address the School-to-Prison Pipeline

• Advocate for policies that reduce punitive measures, promote restorative justice, and ensure that Black children are not disproportionately affected by school disciplinary policies.

II. Building a Coalition of Support for School Choice

1. Engage Faith-Based Leaders

• Mobilize pastors and community leaders who have a long history of advocating for social justice and educational equity, including leaders like Reverend Kyev Tatum, who has been at the forefront of advocating for Black education in Texas.

2. Partner with Civil Rights Organizations

• Collaborate with organizations such as the Black Chamber of Commerce, Texas Black, Brown, and Tan Caucus, and other local and state civil rights groups to form a unified front for school choice.

• Organize rallies, town halls, and letter-writing campaigns to raise awareness about the need for school choice policies.

3. Collaborate with Parent and Teacher Associations

• Create a network of African-American parents and educators who are interested in advocating for school choice. Empower them to engage in legislative advocacy and community education.

III. Advocacy Strategy: Lobbying and Legislative Action

1. Identify Key Legislators and Build Relationships

• Build relationships with legislators on the House and Senate Education Committees, particularly those representing African-American districts, and advocate for policies that empower parents and students through school choice.

2. Public Campaigns

• Launch a social media campaign, using hashtags like #BlackTexansForSchoolChoice, to generate public support.

• Organize community events, such as town halls and rallies, to discuss the importance of school choice and how it benefits Black children.

3. Testimony and Position Papers

• Submit testimony at legislative hearings, emphasizing the need for equitable school choice policies and providing evidence of how they will benefit African-American children.

• Work with experts to create policy papers that demonstrate the long-term positive impact of school choice on Black communities.

IV. Research and Data Collection: Documenting the Impact

1. Collect Data on Disparities in Education

• Document disparities in educational outcomes for Black students in Texas, particularly in underfunded public schools, and use this data to advocate for school choice as a remedy.

2. Highlight Success Stories from Rosenwald Schools

• Share stories of how Rosenwald schools impacted the lives of Black students, many of whom went on to play significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement.

• Use photographs and narratives from the exhibition A Better Life for Their Children by Andrew Feiler to illustrate the importance of educational opportunities for Black children.

3. Present National Case Studies

• Highlight successful school choice programs in other states that have led to improved educational outcomes for Black students. Use these case studies to show the potential benefits of school choice in Texas.

V. Long-Term Advocacy: Building a Sustainable Movement

1. Create a Task Force for Education Reform

• Establish a task force that includes parents, educators, and community leaders to monitor and advocate for continued improvements in educational policy for Black children.

2. Support Scholarship Programs and Partnerships with Charters

• Advocate for the creation of scholarship programs that provide Black students with the resources to attend private schools or charter schools.

• Work with local charter schools to provide tuition assistance or discounts for Black families seeking school choice options.

Conclusion: Honoring the Legacy of Black Education

The legacy of Rosenwald schools, and the many community-driven efforts that came before and after them, demonstrates the central role that education has played in the empowerment of Black Texans. Today, school choice offers an opportunity to continue that legacy, giving Black families the power to choose the best educational options for their children. By building a coalition of support, advocating for legislative change, and documenting the impact of school choice, we can ensure that future generations of Black Texans have the same opportunities to succeed as those who came before them.

Through education, we can break the cycle of inequity and create a better future for all Black children in Texas.