The Black Experience Program engages K–12 students and adults in a culturally responsive, project-based exploration of Black identity, history, and culture across the African diaspora. Teachers select from ten core topics—Africa, Culture, Economics, Education, Entertainment, Health, Justice, Leadership, Politics, and STEAM—each with subtopics that span multiple sessions and integrate academic content with student interests such as music, fashion, sports, and activism. Lessons blend academics, personal interests, and real-world themes to foster deep exploration of the Black experience, culminating in student-led special events and action projects that build community and promote civic engagement.
Goal
To affirm Black identity, cultivate critical consciousness, and inspire civic action through culturally responsive Black Studies programming.
Outcomes
- Strengthened cultural pride and historical literacy
- Improved critical thinking and research skills focused on Black experiences
- Greater confidence in self-expression, leadership, and community agency
- Completion of culturally grounded presentations, narratives, or civic actions
Benefits
Black Studies programs provide substantial academic, emotional, and civic benefits for Black youth:
- Cultural affirmation and self-esteem: Documented research shows that exposure to Black history and identity content from a young age promotes positive racial identity and boosts self-esteem, which are linked to higher academic achievement in Black students (Stubbins, 2016).
- Meaningful engagement and voice: Qualitative feedback from educators piloting K–12 Black Studies curricula in NYC reports that students from Harlem exclaimed, “for the first time, I see myself…in what we’re reading,” signaling deep cognitive and emotional engagement (Columbia Teacher’s College Black Education Research Center, 2024).
- School belonging and academic confidence: Studies of Afrocentric curriculum models find strong increases in feelings of belonging, identity affirmation, and academic performance among Black students compared to peers in standard curricula (Wiley Social Personality & Social Influence Research, 2025).
- A study of Black high schoolers found that participation in Black history coursework significantly increased students’ GPA and graduation rates (Dee & Penner, 2017).
References
- Stubbins, Q. L. (2016). The effects of learning about Black history on racial identity, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and depression among low-income African American male youth (Doctoral dissertation). Andrews University. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.
andrews.edu/dissertations/1625 - Columbia University Teachers College Black Education Research Center. (2024). New Black Studies Curriculum Expands Access to Culturally Responsive Learning. https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2024/august/new-black-studies-curriculum-expands-access-to-culturally-responsive-learning/
- Ladson-Billings, G., Howard, T. C., Nasir, N. S., & Carter Andrews, D. J. (2025). Black student belonging in K–12 schools: Implications for policy and practice. Social Issues and Policy Review, 19(1), 4–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.70002
- Dee, T. S., & Penner, E. K. (2017). The causal effects of cultural relevance: Evidence from an ethnic studies curriculum. American Educational Research Journal, 54(1), 127–166. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831216677002
