Racial Equity

Who Gets to Tell Our History?

March 25, 2021  • Aspen Ideas Now

When children see themselves and their communities mirrored in school curriculum, they learn better. But traditional curriculum situates people of the African Diaspora in a minimally positive — and many times negative — light, which has led to generations of Black students feeling disengaged. Kaya Henderson is working to change that. As the former chancellor of DC public schools, she founded Reconstruction, an educational program for Black youth across America. “How do we draw on the tradition of Freedom Schools and citizenship schools to make sure that our kids understand African American history?,” she says. She talks with Yoni Appelbaum, senior editor at The Atlantic, about her efforts to champion diversity.