It’s no big secret that the number of households in the US that describe themselves as a homeschooling family has increased exponentially over the years. This is no doubt due in part to the coronavirus epidemic. The most significant change occurred among Black children. The number of homeschooling Black families rose from 3.3% in early 2020, to 16.1% in the fall of 2020. With schools in states like Florida and Texas making the news in recent months, the number of households identifying as a Black homeschooling family continues to rise.
Of course, I’m all in for Black homeschooling families, because I happen to be one. We’re not highly represented in the statistics, but we’re here! Present company excluded, here are 5 more Black homeschooling families to add to your follow list!
Looking For Another Black Homeschooling Family to Follow? Here are 5 Amazing Home Educators
Whether you’re brand new to the idea of homeschooling or have been in the game for a minute, finding fresh perspectives around homeschooling can be a challenge, which is why, I wanted to share today 5 Black homeschooling families to follow. These home educators share the ups and downs of homeschooling family life and educate and inspire us daily.
Shaun the Homeschool Guru
Shaun basically does it all; not only is she a homeschooling parent, but she’s got a podcast, facilitates workshops and homeschool summits, is a homeschool coach, a writer and so much more. Shaun is a Texas-based home educator, so you know that she’s got her eye on what’s what in education. What we love about her, is that she tells it like it is while remaining encouraging, straightforward, and sensitive to any issues or concerns a new (or veteran) homeschooling family may have.
Give Shaun a follow on Instagram or Facebook and check out her website.
Amber O’Neal Johnston: Heritage Mom Blog
If you’ve been in the online homeschool space in the last year or so, you’ve likely come across Amber O’Neal Johnston’s book, A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond. She encourages parents to “create a home environment where children feel secure in their own personhood and culture, enabling them to better understand and appreciate people who are racially and culturally different.” Beyond that, Amber also shares what she’s got going on in her homeschool, offers curriculum resources for the homeschooling family and overall is just an amazing Black home educator to follow.
Check out the Heritage Mom website and blog and follow across social media; Instagram and Facebook.
Akilah S. Richards: Raising Free People
Unschooling advocate, Akilah S. Richards of Raising Free People is doing the work to break the binds of a colonized education, through community and self-directed learning. Richards is the author of Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work. For those with an interest in unschooling, she and her team offer a variety of courses to assist home educators in this collective effort.
Follow Akilah S. Richards across social media; YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Camille Kirksey: The Intuitive Homeschooler
Camille Kirksey founded the first-ever international, secular homeschool holiday geared toward homeschooling families the world over. World Homeschooler’s Day is celebrated on the first Friday in June annually. Kirksey also facilitates the Intuitive Family Podcast. She also offers homeschooling courses and coaching. Camille is a top-notch author, speaker, and all-around inspiring Black home educator to follow.
Check out The Intuitive Homeschooler website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
Delina Pryce McPhaull: Woke Homeschooling
Delina is the creator of Woke Homeschooling, a resource for racially conscious history for students of all ages. From textbooks to online classes, there’s something available for every type of learner. The Oh Freedom Beginners History is geared toward learners K-2, there’s also a version for grades 3-7; online classes are geared toward middle schoolers. The high school level is available in two parts and includes inclusive and relevant, non-white-washed history. Check out the Woke Homeschooling curriculum and follow on IG.
Don’t forget to give Delina’s personal Instagram page a follow, she’s always up to something interesting over there!
Homeschooling Family on The Road
Kay Akpan: The Mom Trotter
Whether they’re sand surfing the dunes of Dubai or exploring the US in their RV, Karen Akpan, her husband Sylvester, and their inquisitive son Aiden have done it all. The family gave up all of their possessions to build a life on the road. They spend their time traveling the world, working remotely while Aiden homeschools. Kay and family offer up travel and budgeting advice and share their day-to-day experiences with the world, inspiring us to get out and explore.
Keep up with the Akpan family on Facebook, Instagram, and of course Kay’s blog, The Mom Trotter.
If your homeschooling family is just getting started on this home education journey, please know that this is not a complete list. There are numerous amazing Black families homeschooling their children today. A simple search across Instagram #BlackHomeschoolingFamilies will put them all at your fingertips. Who is your favorite homeschooling family to follow? Drop a comment below!
Wow, I’m so happy to see these black homeschooling moms. When I was homeschooling my son, it felt like there were hardly any of us.
I know right?! It is refreshing to see that they are also all homeschooling in different styles too. Makes me so happy!