{"id":7718,"date":"2026-05-02T10:14:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T10:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/africanamericanvoice.net\/?p=7718"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:19:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:19:35","slug":"black-families-stopped-waiting-for-public-schools-now-theyre-building-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/africanamericanvoice.net\/?p=7718","title":{"rendered":"Black Families Stopped Waiting for Public Schools. Now They\u2019re Building Their Own"},"content":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Dawn Montgomery<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Public school advocates and politicians typically spearhead the attack on microschools, focusing on their perceived \u201clack of oversight and public accountability.\u201d Yet Black families are the fastest-growing demographic in alternative education. This shift is driven by the recognition that traditional public education cannot change quickly enough to serve its children\u2019s needs. The National Association of Black Micro-School Leaders is an organization working to counter this narrative and fill a critical gap. Nicole Stewart, the founder, told The Carolinian that \u201cBlack families are the fastest-growing group in alternative education, but Black microschool founders have had no national home, no unified voice, no shared resources, and no collective power.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicole Stewart, a former educator with nearly 20 years of experience in public education, retired to start her education consulting company and later opened her own school. That experience led her to discover microschools. Stewart advocates for a balance between joy and rigor in education, designing learning experiences that honor identity, strength and purpose. She understands that microschools can be tailored to address the specific needs of the families and communities they serve.<\/p>\n

The oversight criticism is legitimate. This concern is precisely why NABML is establishing the national benchmark for community-led education. NABML\u2019s certification is that seal of approval, signaling to families, funders and policymakers that a school is not merely functioning but is outstanding. Additionally, the organization emphasizes the importance of legal structures, fiscal stewardship frameworks and community involvement as foundational to sustainability and accountability.<\/p>\n