about us

Dedicated to equity.

our Founder

Kelly Wickham Hurst

Founder, Executive Director

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After spending 23 years in the public education system as a teacher, literacy coach, guidance dean, and assistant principal, Kelly witnessed firsthand how the system helped white students thrive while continuing to marginalize Black students. As a result, Kelly left the education system and started Being Black at School.

Kelly is best known as the author of the award-winning blog Mocha Momma, where she chronicles her life as a former teen parent, a birth mom, and a single mother who took her then 3-year old daughter to college with her.

Kelly will serve as the founder and executive officer of Being Black at School.

Kelly Wickham Hurst

Founder, Executive Director

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram

After spending 23 years in the public education system as a teacher, literacy coach, guidance dean, and assistant principal, Kelly witnessed firsthand how the system helped white students thrive while continuing to marginalize Black students. As a result, Kelly left the education system and started Being Black at School.

Kelly is best known as the author of the award-winning blog Mocha Momma, where she chronicles her life as a former teen parent, a birth mom, and a single mother who took her then 3-year old daughter to college with her.

Kelly will serve as the founder and executive officer of Being Black at School.

our board

Being Black at School’s Board of Directors provide guidance, oversight, and support. We’re grateful for their counsel and enduring commitment to the equity and safety of Black students.

Writer, dooce.com

 

STACEY FERGUSON

CEO, Be Blogalicious

 

KIRSTEN HOWERTON

Writer, Rage Against the Minivan

 

New York Times Best Selling Author

DR. CAMIKA ROYAL

Co-Director, Center for Innovation in Urban Education, Loyola University Maryland

 

KRISTEN WEST SAVALI

Assoc. Editor, Social Justice, Culture, Education, The Root

 

JOSE LUIS VILSON

Teacher, Author, Activist at EduColor

Our Mission

Being Black At School strives to utilize data and policy analysis to foster a movement for making schools safer and more equitable for Black students.

what we do

Being Black at School advocates for equity and safety for Black students.

YOUR CLASSROOM

 

Being Black at School helps teachers, school boards, and students navigate tough conversations in the classroom. Our Curriculum and Training Teams can work with your district’s educators to develop classroom practices rooted in restorative justice and cultural competency.

YOUR VOICE

 

Being Black at School rallies activists and advocates in standing up for Black students. Through grassroots movements around the country we can stand together and speak up for Black students.

YOUR GOVERNMENT

 

Being Black at School works with elected officials and decision makers to develop policies that promote equity and safety. Additionally, our Policy and Research utilizes government datasets to assess the quality of schools for Black students.

upcoming workshops + Courses

- Available Now -

Online Course

start a plan

And Take Action Against Racism

We’ll begin by talking about why this work is so important.  From there we’ll create a plan and discuss how to start taking action.  We’ll also discuss how to have courageous conversations with others and how to organize for change and more.

Anti-racism work is hard, it’s messy, it's courageous, it’s loving, and it’s liberating.

 

Kelly Wickham Hurst, keenly and unapologetically aware of white body supremacy and its many forms of metamorphosis, has a unique gift as a facilitator to create a safe and brave space that allows her participants permission to feel and ride the emotional rollercoaster that is anti racism work.

 

Kelly’s facilitation style embodies the intersectionality of grace, empathy and love while calling all of us to reflect on “what more can we do”?

Not only does Kelly empower her participants to stand in their true authentic selves, she walks side-by-side with them on the journey towards anti-racism, all while reminding us to moisturize and hydrate!

 

Dr. Terry Harris

Executive Director of Student Services for the Rockwood School District