Black Texans Demand Education Freedom: Why We Support School Choice.

Black Texans Demand Education Freedom: Why We Support School Choice. https://youtu.be/KcLmf6Mz9dA?si=GHTA2EDSXxMRzwYy

By Pastor Kyev Tatum

Education in Texas is failing Black students. The numbers tell a painful truth: Texas, home to the largest population of Black students in public education, also leads the nation in Black student dropouts, school-to-prison pipeline cases, disciplinary actions, and special education placements. Black students in Texas consistently rank at the bottom in academic performance, and the majority are not reading at grade level. Year after year, we hear the same empty promises from policymakers: “More funding will fix the problem.” But Black Texans have had enough of this failed strategy. We don’t need more money for education; we need more education for our children.

For too long, Black families have been trapped in a system that does not serve them. Our children’s futures are being stolen by schools that refuse to innovate, bureaucracies that stifle progress, and unions that put their interests before students. It is time to break free from the cycle of failure. We support school choice because we believe in freedom, the freedom to choose the best education for our children, whether through vouchers, scholarships, or education savings accounts (ESAs).

School choice is not just a policy; it is a moral imperative. Black parents should not be forced to send their children to failing schools simply because of their ZIP codes. Education is the gateway to opportunity, yet too many of our students are being denied access to quality learning environments. By supporting school choice, we are demanding fairness, fair access to the same educational opportunities that other families already enjoy. When given the option, Black families overwhelmingly choose schools that provide better academics, stronger discipline, and a culture of excellence.

Opponents of school choice claim it will drain resources from public schools. But how can we defend a system that has already failed Black students for generations? School choice is not about destroying public schools; it is about creating competition that forces them to improve. It is about funding students, not systems. And most importantly, it is about putting parents in control of their children’s futures, rather than leaving them at the mercy of an unaccountable education bureaucracy.

Education is too important to be dictated by politics and special interests. Black Texans refuse to accept a system that sets our children up for failure while demanding more tax dollars with no results. We stand for education freedom over education frustration. We support choice, fairness, and opportunity. We will not wait for a broken system to fix itself. The time for change is now.

It is time to give Black students a future they deserve. It is time for school choice.

Pastor Kyev Tatum: A Lifetime of Fighting for School Choice and Education Reform

For over three decades, Pastor Kyev Tatum has been a relentless advocate for education reform and school choice in Texas. His work spans from creating after-school tutoring programs to pioneering innovative educational initiatives that empower students and families.

Pastor Tatum was instrumental in establishing the first charter school in San Marcos, Texas, providing families with an alternative to failing public schools. Recognizing the need for student mental health support, he also founded the first trauma-informed care center at Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, ensuring that students received the emotional and psychological support necessary for academic success.

His commitment to preparing students for real-world success led to the creation of the first retail entrepreneurship program in Fort Worth ISD, giving young people hands-on business experience and financial literacy skills.

A longtime champion of education freedom, Pastor Tatum believes in empowering parents to choose the best educational pathways for their children, whether through charter schools, vouchers, scholarships, or education savings accounts. His advocacy is rooted in the belief that education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their ZIP code.

From the frontlines of grassroots organizing to shaping policy discussions at the highest levels, Pastor Kyev Tatum continues to fight for a future where education is not dictated by bureaucracy but driven by opportunity, innovation, and choice. Contact: kptatum1@gmail.com