New African Centered Charter School To Open Fall 2024

 APPLETON — At a time in the country when politicians are calling to eliminate school subjects dealing with Black History and anything that "would cause other students to feel uncomfortable," there seems to be a glimmer of hope from a city of about 75,000. Nestled in the heart of the Fox River Valley in Wisconsin is the city of Appleton, where big things are happening.

On the 27th of November, the Appleton Area School District (AASD) Board of Education voted in favor of including a new African-centered charter school in the district. The AASD encourages the startup of charter schools because it understands charter schools can address the specific needs of students. What separates this new charter school from others in the district is it plans on including African and African American history and culture in its STEEAM curriculum which consists of Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Arts, and Math.

Named "The Ọmọladé Academy" it will be administrated by African Heritage Inc., a local non-profit with an interest in improving the success of African Americans. The Ọmọladé Academy plans on bridging the education gap by preparing their students to compete on both the global and local stage by teaching their kids to think what they refer to as 'glocally'.

Originally intended to serve K–3 students, the Ọmọladé Academy will eventually expand to accommodate K–5 students. The Ọmọladé Academy has its work cut out for it because the district usually has 16 months to establish a charter school fully operational and ready for usage. It has to be operational by September 2024, which gives it about eight months to complete the necessary tasks and be ready for the grand opening. We're optimistic that things will work out well since this institution is exactly what our country needs, and maybe other cities will decide to follow.

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U.S. leaders promise to fight to maintain freedoms for Black Americans during Juneteenth celebration

U.S. leaders are promising to fight against attacks aimed at fundamental freedoms the Black community has fought hard to obtain. This comes as the country observes Juneteenth as a federal holiday which was signed into law as a federal holiday in 2021.

During a star-studded performance at the White House this week honoring Juneteenth, President Joe Biden stated: "As the past few years remind us, our freedoms have been put at risk by racism that's still too powerful a force."

Vice President Kamala Harris also criticized legislative efforts to restrict access to voting, reproductive freedom, and the right to learn U.S. history in full.

Black Americans' freedoms are a concern shared by civil rights leaders and activists who are working together to plan a concentrated effort in the South to fight what they perceive to be efforts to stifle the power of the Black vote.

In Atlanta, Georgia, a number of organizations and community leaders came together earlier this month to discuss a variety of issues affecting Black and brown communities. Discussions will range from restrictive voting laws, to the attempt to prohibit books about the history of racism in the U.S.

According to Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, "we've always had to address the attacks on our rights and our freedoms, and that's where we are."

Ream more at Yahoo news.