The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, when the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.

Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Black History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

In the decades that followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing "Black History Week." In 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” 

Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society. With every American president since Ford designating an annual theme for Black History Month, the Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms," since the nation's earliest days.

To learn about some of the incredible individuals who are currently making Black history, read below:

On February 1, the first day of Black History Month, The College Board released a statement on the official new framework of the African American Studies AP Course. In the release, they emphasized both the rigor and flexibility of the course. Almost immediately after the statement, the world of education took notice of and reacted to what is no longer included in the framework that was originally part of the pilot program. Many influential Black civil rights activists, writers, and educators were removed from the curriculum, including Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Kimberlé Crenshaw, bell hooks, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Michelle Alexander, just to name a few. The voices removed share a theme–they explore intersectionality, the queer experience, and Black feminism. 

The strongest reaction has been to The College Board’s cowardice in caving to the Florida governor’s criticism of its original framework. The College Board profits (over $1 billion in revenue annually), and far-right politics win plenty. At the same time, the young people of this country continue to lose out on the quality education they deserve.

U.S. High School students generally receive only 1 to 2 lessons or 8–9 percent of class time devoted to Black history. At The Opportunity Network, we work with students of color, most of whom are the first in their families to go to college, to gain the skills, access, networks, and opportunities to build the life they want and deserve. We do this through our 20-year-old comprehensive and rigorous instructional framework - Career FluencyⓇ. We know the power of curriculum. It can be a gatekeeper to knowledge and truth or the key to unlocking new perspectives and broader understanding of our complex world–we built our curriculum to be the latter. 

The first college awareness lesson we conduct with our 11th graders covers the history of higher education in America. In that lesson, students learn that “New College,” now known as Harvard University, was founded in 1636. Nearly two centuries later, there were only four African American college graduates in the United States until Oberlin College opened its doors in 1833 to welcome Black and female students. The inclusion of the history of higher education in America at the outset of our programming makes our young people overly aware of whom these spaces were crafted for (introducing them to the term PWI), as well as how long until other communities were acknowledged or even welcomed into this space.   In a time when feelings of doubt and lack of belonging are prevalent, examining the inclusion of communities that they identify with directly dispels the notion that people of color do not belong in those spaces. 

We have learned that by including the exclusionary and often oppressive history of our institutions and the movements and individuals that forged change, we are also teaching our young people critical thinking, critical consciousness, and self-advocacy. These skills will allow them to interact with, identify, and create spaces that not only welcome them wholly but also value what all other members contribute. Our young people can fully realize their power and beauty and own that they can exist authentically in all spaces.

The recent weeks have been challenging for so many communities, including ours. We were not built to keep up with so much mourning.

OppNet does the work we do so our communities can live free and build the life we want, to dance without getting shot, and to simply get home without dying.

Tyre Nichols was just trying to go home.

We have shared these resources before and here we are, needing them yet again. May we all be surrounded by love and care that fuels the hope and action for lasting change.

Resources

• Disaster Distress Hotline
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Coping with Grief after a Disaster or Traumatic Event
• National Education Association's School Crisis Guide
• AAP: Talking to Children about Tragedies & Other News Events
• PBS: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
• Everytown for Gun Safety
• Coalition to Support Grieving Students

Previous Relevant Community Statements and Resources

• May 25, 2022
• May 17, 2022
• April 23, 2021
• August 28, 2020
• March 22, 2018

AiLun Ku, The Opportunity Network's President and CEO, highlights the New York Times' August 1, 2022 coverage of a new study in the article, "Vast New Study Shows a Key to Reducing Poverty: More Friendships Between Rich and Poor."

The study was conducted by a team of researchers at Opportunity Insights that examined the roots of inequality and contributors to social mobility. The team found that "economic connectedness" was key to building social capital among children from low-income communities. The Times article shows charts depicting how cross-class friendship—economic connectedness—had a stronger impact than school quality, family structure, job availability or a community's racial composition.

AiLun Ku, offers her take on the study's findings, noting that:

"As an organization dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for students of color from low-income communities, OppNet embraces scholarship that explores and confirms what we know to be true: all young people, given opportunities, connections, and support, have the power to thrive in the college landscape and professional world."

AiLun Ku observes that, "In addition to what researchers are calling 'economic connectedness,' these relationships normalize access to opportunities."

Ku also notes the views of Robert Putnam, another Harvard researcher mentioned in the article, on the importance of social capital:

To cap this year's Pride Month, we turn our attention to a quote from trailblazing poet, author, and activist Audre Lorde whose words remind us that, even if we are afraid, we already hold inside of us the power and strength to move towards our dreams. Below, read about members of the LGBTQ+ community who teach by example what it means to activate our power, and whose work serves as an inspiration to live in one's truth fully and authentically. Happy Pride!

 “When I dare to be power, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

Audre Lorde

We kick off this year's Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month with a quote from activist, artist, and educator Alok Vaid-Menon on the importance of living unapologetically, authentically as yourself, and the power that can come from embracing the things that scare us.

 “Don't confuse the way you have come to live with the only way to live. Remain open to the universe inviting you to shift. Never forget: we have been taught to fear the very things that have the potential to set us free.”

Alok Vaid-Menon

Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries.

A place to learn.
A place to belong.
A place to play.
A place to explore.
A place to grow.

Schools are supposed to be safe.

But our children's memories of school are laced with active shooter drills where they prepare for the horror and the unthinkable, not fully aware of how cruel and commonplace gun violence is across the nation. Teachers and educators harden their shells and fill their brains with scenarios for how to save lives as those realities edge out lesson plans intended to nurture curiosity. Families and loved ones' lives shatter in devastating grief and loss while others hold them and dread if they might be the ones that will be held next.

We mourn and grieve with the families and community of Uvalde, Texas.

Resources 

• Disaster Distress Hotline
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Coping with Grief after a Disaster or Traumatic Event
• National Education Association's School Crisis Guide
• AAP: Talking to Children about Tragedies & Other News Events
• PBS: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
• Everytown for Gun Safety
• Coalition to Support Grieving Students

• Roberta A. Drury
• Margus D. Morrison
• Andre Macneil
• Aaron Salter
• Geraldine Talley
• Celestine Chaney
• Heyward Patterson
• Katherine Massey
• Pearl Young
• Ruth Whitfield

Happy springtime from OppNet! Just as the season lifts our spirits and ushers in new life, the OppNet community continues to grow and thrive.

I am so proud to share that we have scaled our programs and curricula nationally to reach over 10,000 students of color. In 2021, our first full year of delivering our programs virtually amid the pandemic, we:

• continued to expand our Career Fluency® Partnerships nationally to collaborate with 44 Partners across 14 states and 21 cities,
• launched Opportunity Ignited, a new consultative practice helping 13 corporate employers build more diverse and equitable workplaces, and are actively recruiting new partners now,
• served more than 1,000 students across our intensive six-year Fellows program, with 100% of our students graduating high school and 100% accepted into college

Your support made all of this growth possible. With gratitude I thank our community: thank you, supporters and partners; thank you, students; thank you, staff. The last few years have made it even clearer that only through community, collaboration, and solidarity can we make real progress on the path to a more just world.

We've been busy: scroll down to read more about what OppNet has been getting up to. If the past few months are any indication, 2022 is poised to be one of OppNet's biggest years yet and I can't wait to see what we accomplish—together. 

AiLun Ku

President and CEO

P.S. OppNet is hiring! Please help us spread the word or apply directly if there is a role that suits your talents!

BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are thrilled to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors, and announce the appointment of Joy Booker to Board Secretary. Joy Booker is Managing Director and Head of U.S. Retirement Plan Client Relations at PineBridge Investments. Joining the OppNet Board are Caron Veazey, Founder and CEO of talent management and consulting firm Something in Common, and Molly Stern, Founder and CEO of Zando, an innovative new publishing house. To learn more about OppNet's robust Board of Directors, click here.

PARTNERSHIPS CONVENING: A SEAT AT THE TABLE 

Save the date! On April 28 at 1pm, OppNet is hosting A Seat at the Table: Building Dynamic Youth-Adult Partnerships. Join us for a mix of individual reflection, small group conversations, and a panel discussion to hear directly from youth about their leadership experiences. Spaces are going fast so register today!

OPPNET FELLOWS: WINTER CONFERENCE

OppNet's annual Winter Conference, held during December 2021 and January 2022 for our Fellows attending college, had record attendance this year! Students engaged in programming around salary negotiation, mental wellness, and showcasing strengths while networking. Fellows also heard from mental health educator Israa Nasir on the importance of taking care of your whole sense as a key to sustainable success. Check out more of Nasir's work here.

OPPNET IN THE MEDIA

Jessica Pliska, Strategic Advancement Officer, interviewed Sekou Kaalund, JPMorgan Chase's Head of Consumer Banking for the Northeast Division, for Forbes. Kaalund discusses his vision for creating growth for an inclusive economy and his own experiences as a mentor for young people of color.

Pliska also interviewed Albert Cheng, COO of Amazon Studios to discuss the power of representation on and off the screen, and in the boardroom.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH

April is National Volunteer Month and we want to take a moment to give a shout out and say thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who engage with our Fellows. Nearly 750 volunteers from over 200 companies and organizations, including Corporate Members, employer groups, employee resources and affinity groups, and more, engage with our Fellows annually, helping them practice their networking and professional communication skills, prepare for interviews and internships, refine their resumes, learn about new industries and fields, expand their professional networks, and so much more. 

From College Essay Coaching and mentorship to Speed Networking and Resume Workshops, OppNet volunteers are a critical part of our community. Thank you to our amazing volunteers for all you do to support our Fellows on their college and career journeys.

If you are interested in learning more about how you or your company can engage in volunteer opportunities with OppNet, please email Sara Siegel, Manager of Individual and Corporate Engagement, at volunteers@opportunitynetwork.org.