Julia Britton Hooks Fellowship
The application for the 2026–2027 Julia Britton Hooks Fellowship is now open! This yearlong fellowship offers a collaborative space for educators from across Kentucky to explore the Commonwealth’s Black history and bring those stories to life in their classrooms. Through meaningful engagement with the Association and fellow educators, participants expand their perspectives, deepen their historical understanding, and connect with a supportive professional community.
Our Land of Promise Black History Month Essay Contest
For the second consecutive year, ATBHK proudly partnered with Our Land of Promise to host an essay contest open to all middle school students in Madison County, Kentucky. This year’s competition invited students to engage deeply with local Black history by responding to one of two thoughtfully crafted prompts. Through their writing, students demonstrated curiosity, critical thinking, and a meaningful connection to the stories that shape our community.
We are excited to recognize this year’s winners:
1 Place-Vincent Tran st
2 Place-Eleanor Smith nd
3 Place-Hana Abdelhay
ATBHK Mini Grant Application Now Closed
The ATBHK mini-grant application cycle has officially closed, and we are excited about the impact this round of funding will have across our community. Thanks to the many thoughtful proposals submitted, we were able to support a variety of meaningful initiatives that enrich student learning and engagement.
This year’s mini-grants funded educational field trips, new book purchases, materials for Black History Month events, and supplemental resources to enhance classroom lessons. These investments help strengthen and expand education about Kentucky’s Black history, ensuring students gain a deeper understanding of the individuals, communities, and contributions that have shaped our state. We are proud to support opportunities that broaden perspectives, celebrate culture and history, and enhance classroom instruction.
We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to the teachers and educators across Kentucky for their outstanding dedication to students. Your creativity, commitment, and care make these opportunities meaningful and impactful. We are continually inspired by the fantastic work you do every day to support students and strengthen learning throughout the Commonwealth.
Professional Reading
A Care Plan for Honest History and Difficult Conversations
The article “A Care Plan for Honest History and Difficult Conversations” from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice initiative highlights a research-based framework to help educators, parents, and caregivers thoughtfully navigate conversations about honest and often challenging aspects of history. It emphasizes creating supportive spaces before, during, and after discussions by addressing psychological needs like competence, relatedness, and autonomy, and by incorporating intentional practices that build trust, emotional safety, and inclusivity. The piece underscores that teaching history honestly requires care, courage, and community, equipping adults and young people alike to engage critically with difficult historical truths while fostering empathy and connection.
Contact Information
Email: info@atbhk.org.
phone: 859-985-3942
Website: www.atbhk.org
