HerStory: Septima Poinsette Clark: Black Communities and Education Equity©
By Rev. Donna Vanhook, M.Div
North Carolina Black Alliance
Faith Engagement Team Contributor - HerStory
Public education in North Carolina has been under scrutiny in recent years with the Leandro case in NC courts and misguided discussions about critical race theory—and book bans. Unfortunately, decisions that would address systemic issues for the student body of color are not often a priority when distractions cause more emphasis on political agendas. Educators, it seems, may also find themselves lacking what they need to provide equitable educational opportunities for their students. Ideally, well-informed strategies for education equity could make learning environments better for disadvantaged populations.
Septima Poinsette Clark, born May 3, 1898, was a Black woman educator of faith who withstood challenges like losing her job to continue the work of educating Black communities, even in voter registration and citizenship. She taught youth and adults during her tenure at schools in South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In her memoir, Ready From Within: Septima Clark and the Civil Rights Movement, Clark tells stories of her role as an educator and activist with both the NAACP and Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
