Oni Bey
- Mar 30, 2019
- 4 min read

Black homeschoolers have found their support system.

Updated: Apr 2, 2019

A small portion of our support system. Father and a few of my sisters.

“Everyone needs a house to live in, but a supportive family is what builds a home.” – Anthony Liccione

One of the questions I get the most is "How can I homeschool when I don't have a support system?" While I know that homeschooling is not new to the African community in America, I understand that in today's time it still is not accepted as the norm. I like to respond to these situations with; The home doesn't make your homeschool. Your classroom and school system can be made anywhere with anyone.

Orion on a Co-op field trip to the Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Many of the choices my husband and I have made in raising our children were alternative to how were were raised. Many of our family members did not agree and had no problem letting us know how they disapproved. I still get sly remarks on our choices to homeschool, not vaccinate and many of our other health and eating habits. I never looked at it as my family not supporting me but as them not understanding the need for my choices. Although there was a lack of understanding, there was not a shortage in compassion and love.

It is unfortunate but, too often in the black community homeschoolers feel as if they have no family or friends to help or guide them when starting out. However we must realize that we are not alone in making the decision to educate our own. There have been many successful predecessors and current homeschoolers who are willing to share their knowledge and guide you along the way.

When choosing to homeschool, we take on the role of administrator, principal, teacher, guidance counselor etc. Added to your parenting duties this can easily become overwhelming. There were many days where I would question if I would be able to teach my children for the long run by myself. I quickly decided that I already have a village and I should use it. There were plenty of resources within my community that helped me with classroom settings, curriculum, social events, and more. I also got very acquainted with online resources.

Here I have compiled a list of online resources you can use at any stage of your homeschool journey. We are the school, the board of education,...the school system.

African Centered Education System

National Black Home Educators

www.nbhe.net

National Black Home Educators support African American Families in starting their homeschool journey. They offer resources and local representatives to help assist you in learning the requirements for your state. I am a representative for the Fayetteville/ RDU area in North Carolina. If you need help you can message me or click the link to find out more.

Liberated Minds Black Homeschool & Education Expo

www.liberatedmindsexpo.com/

Liberated Minds offers an Exposition on homeschooling in the African American community. Every year they feature conference, demonstrations, educator talks, and curriculum resources to the public. It is a great opportunity to network with other families and educators of like minds.

Educating Our Own

https://eduourown.com/about-us/

This platform brings together black and brown homeschooling Elders providing information on the ‘how-tos’ of homeschooling, single parenting homeschooling, dual-employed parent homeschooling, unschooling, raising queens and kings who love homeschooling and learning and everything in between.

The curator Angela Jordan Perry also provides a podcast interviews with homeschooling mothers. Girlfriends' Guide to Homeschooling with Angela Jordan Perry

Kamali Academy

https://www.kamaliacademy.com/programs/

An online homeschool academy that offers coaching services for families deciding to homeschool.

Morah Sheli Village

https://www.morahsheli.com/

Morah Sheli offers families tutoring, homeschool consultations, lesson plans and graduation counseling. Here you'll also find educational content including freebies, downloads, and curriculum.

African American Homeschool Moms

http://www.africanamericanhomeschoolmoms.com/

They offer a collection of Black Ted Talks, documentaries and movies, historical sites to visit and a slew of other freebies.

My Reflection Matters

http://www.myreflectionmatters.org/

This site offers homeschooling families assistance with culturally centered curriculum development, training, and coaching. They also offer courses for educators.

Orion at a Rainbow Me Kids event. We enjoyed being taken to the bayou of New Orleans and watching the Princess and the Frog with friends.

Rainbow Me Kids

https://rainbowmekids.com/

Here your child can enjoy cartoons and educational videos that represent POC. Great learning resource for your young child or family free time.

The Caribbean Center of Home Education Resources

https://sites.google.com/site/tchersprusvi/Home

Homeschooling resources for families living in Puerto Rico.

Bilingual Brown Babies

http://www.kamijandersonphd.com/bilingual-brown-babies.html

A specialized service for families of color who are serious about raising their children bilingual in English and Spanish.

The Black Home School

http://www.theblackhomeschool.com/

This site offers articles on homescooling in the Black community and other current events.

The Black Business School

https://theblackbusinessschool.com/

Nomalanga Mhlauli-Moses is the owner of The Black Business School and The Black Homeschool. Her school offers courses, certifications, and research material to prepare you for your homeschool journey. She also offers financial and economic assistance.

Nu School Supplies

https://www.nuschoolsupplies.com/

Nu School Supplies aims to provide parents and educators an online platform to promote and sell education materials. Here you will have access to hundreds of lessons, worksheets, research material and curriculum designed by homeschoolers and educators of color. Click here to become a sponsor of our African-Centered Education System.