Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter, designed especially for the dedicated supporters and friends of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky. We’re thrilled to have you with us as we continue our mission to educate, inspire, and honor the rich
history of Black Kentuckians.
Shaniqua Robinson presents at Affrilachian Summit
The Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling, KY, hosted the inaugural Affrilachian Summit on October 2-3, bringing together voices from across the region to celebrate and amplify Black Appalachian culture. ATBHK Executive Director Shaniqua Robinson and University of Kentucky Ph.D. student Helena Sands led a high school-level inquiry session, challenging participants to consider who holds the right to speak for Black Appalachians. Through guided exploration of primary and secondary sources, attendees developed their own perspectives on this vital question. ATBHK currently offers several high school inquiry sessions available on its website—explore them here!
Martin Luther King Day Community Breakfast
Join us for an inspiring celebration at the ATBHK Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Community Breakfast on Monday, January 20th at the historic Boone Tavern at Berea College! This year’s event will honor Dr. King’s legacy and feature voices dedicated to carrying forward his vision of justice and unity. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and an uplifting program, highlighted by a powerful keynote address from Dr. Roger Cleveland.
The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited—reserve your spot today! Please use the QR code and register to be part of this special morning.
ATBHK Teacher Spotlight of the Month: Hope Brown
This month, we are proud to highlight Hope Brown, a social studies teacher at Woodford County High School. Hope teaches U.S. History, a dual-credit course in Kentucky Studies, and AP African American Studies. In her AP African American Studies class, students are currently working on the Freedom, Enslavement, and Resistance unit, which focuses on how Africans in what is now the United States adapted to, resisted, and influenced the social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics they encountered. The students in her dual-credit Kentucky Studies course are examining the song “My Old Kentucky Home” by researching the background of the composer and creating a presentation to argue whether or not the song should remain the official state song.
Hope says she loves teaching Kentucky’s Black history because it offers students a new perspective on history that they might not have considered and makes coming to school to learn more exciting. By exposing her students to this perspective, they are learning about inspiring individuals that have been left out of the standard curriculum.
ATBHK Undergraduate Spotlight of the Month: Ryan Burke
We are proud to recognize Ryan Burke, a member of our fellowship cohort and student at Georgetown College, as our Undergraduate Spotlight of the Month! Ryan is currently studying history and secondary education.
Ryan says that “learning about Black history allows students of all backgrounds to reflect on the importance of diversity and also emphasize the significance of equality and representation. Teaching Black History plays a huge role when discussing American history as a whole… Teaching Black history allows my future students to have fuller and more accurate narratives in learning history.” Ryan’s commitment to equity and inclusion have made him a vital member of the fellowship cohort. We are thrilled to highlight Ryan’s work and dedication to the Association.
ATBHK Mini-Grant Application OPEN NOW!
The Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky is excited to offer mini-grants to support our amazing K12 teachers! If you have a creative project or lesson idea focused on Kentucky’s rich Black history, we want to help make it happen.
What Can You Do with the Grant?
- Teaching Materials: Buy books, films, and other resources to bring Black history to life in your classroom.
- Field Trips: Take your students on educational trips to museums, historical sites, and cultural centers.
- Conferences and Workshops: Attend events that help you learn more about Black history and bring back new ideas to your students.
- Special Projects: Develop new lesson plans, invite guest speakers, or create unique projects that engage your students in learning about Black history.
Grant Amounts
You can apply for grants ranging from $250 to $500. And the best part? You can apply for renewal each year if funds are available!
Who Can Apply?
Any K-12 teacher in Kentucky with a passion for teaching Black history.
Application Process:
- Fill Out the Form: Provide some basic information about yourself and your school, then describe your project, how you’ll use the funds, and what you hope to achieve.
- Review and Decision: Our committee will review all applications and select the projects that best meet our mission.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
phone: 859-985-3942
Professional Reading
Teaching the Election in Politically Charged Times
Teaching the 2024 election presents significant challenges, as educators face concerns about community backlash, restrictive policies, and job security. However, Harvard Lecturer Eric Soto-Shed offers a hopeful perspective, urging teachers not to shy away from this critical topic. He believes schools hold the power to reignite trust in democracy, especially with only 28% of Americans currently expressing satisfaction in the system. By fostering open, respectful conversations and teaching critical thinking, educators can inspire civic engagement and help students develop a deeper belief in democratic processes. Classrooms can become places of hope and transformation, where meaningful dialogue around important issues flourishes.
ATBHK Wants to Visit Your School!
