Many black parents are actively involved in their child's education, despite common beliefs.

Recently, there has been a lot of buzz on social media about the learning gap of Black students and the supposed lack of parental involvement in their education. However, for Ashley Thomas, an Indianapolis parent advocate and mother of three, this narrative is far from the truth. In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Thomas shared her perspective as a Black parent and how this issue is often portrayed in a negative light.

Thomas expressed that for many Black parents, the only time they receive recognition is when something goes wrong or when it is assumed that they are not involved in their child's education. She believes that this is not an accurate representation and wants to shed light on the positive impact that Black parents are making in their children's education. She stated, "We've seen a lot of TikToks around what parents are doing, but the parents are really doing the best that they can, and they are literally being game changers…and we get to pat parents on the back for that and say, 'Hey, that drumbeat, you get to keep that going.'"

This perspective is further affirmed by a new report released by United Negro College Fund (UNCF) titled "Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K-12 Education." Dr. Meredith B.L. Anderson, UNCF Director of K-12 Research, shared that they wanted to uplift the voices of Black parents, as they are often silenced in education conversations. She stated, "We know that they have been making a difference in education for decades."

UNCF, which just celebrated its 80th anniversary, not only focuses on supporting minority students pursuing higher education but also has a K-12 advocacy arm to ensure the next generation is college-ready. Dr. Anderson's role in this division is to create research reports and engage with members of the community to dismantle negative narratives surrounding Black communities. She shared, "We know they're engaged, they're informed, they're ready to make change."

The UNCF Advocacy Division has created numerous resources and tools for K-12 education, and their latest report highlights the crucial role that African American parents play in their children's education. Through phone surveys and focus groups, the research found that Black parents have higher college aspirations for their children, and their involvement in their child's education helps to decrease instances of school suspensions. The report also emphasizes the importance of understanding and incorporating the unique perspectives of Black parents into education policies and practices.

One key finding was that Black parents want to see more Black leaders in education, with 70% believing that their involvement would make school improvement efforts more effective. Another concern for Black parents is school safety, with 80% ranking it as the most important factor when selecting a school for their child.

Dr. Anderson also emphasized the importance of having Black teachers in schools. She stated, "We also found that Black parents felt more respected when there were more Black teachers. So we know that Black teachers matter." The report concludes with recommendations for the K-12 sector to invest in Black teachers and create more opportunities for parent involvement.

For Thomas, her passion for investing in her children's education has extended to her professional work as the founder and CEO of A.N.T. Foundation Consulting, which focuses on community organizing and leadership development. She encourages parents and educators to work together and "co-parent" for the success of their child's education. She also believes that parents should take the calls-to-action in this report seriously and use their voices to make a difference on a federal, state, and local level.

In conclusion, the full report can be accessed through UNCF's website, and BLACK ENTERPRISE will be hosting a podcast, "Class is in Session," on May 3rd at Noon ET where Dr. Anderson and Ms. Thomas will discuss the findings of the report and offer tips for parents to engage with schools. As technology and education continue to evolve, it is crucial to have these conversations and address issues such as the learning gap and parental involvement to ensure that all students have equal opportunities for success.

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