Exploring the Possibilities of Black Mothering Approaches for Reimagined Community-School Partnerships

• In Event: Advocating, Educating, and Policy Making: Family and Community Engagement to Advance Equity

Abstract

The paper engages the historical and contemporary realities faced by Black mothers, their responses, as well as the impacts of anti-Black racism on Black students in Kindergarten – Grade 12 (K-12) settings. The research question is how do Black mothers employ strategies of Black resistance, change-making, and sharing for strong school-community relationships? The second research question asks why is it important to engage a Black mothering approach in anti-racist education and educational structures, contexts, and realities? The findings point to strategies of community parenting (or othermothering) and Black resistance strategies as well as reimagining parent engagement. The paper contributes to anti-racist education, particularly community-school partnerships, by way of Black maternal activism.

Author

• Janelle Brady, Ryerson University