Black Media Salon: NY1 Anchor Cheryl Wills Hosts Education Equity Action Plan Event at Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem

Repost from From The G-Man | May 11, 2022 | Written by Gary Glennell Toms, “The G-Man”

NY1’s Cheryl Wills served as host and moderator for the event, and former USA Today Race and Culture reporter and current executive editor of the upcoming Black News and Views, Melanie Eversley, was the guest speaker. Both were honored at the event.

The groundbreaking $10 million Education Equity Action Plan (EEAP) announced last September, which aims to create the first-ever Pre-K through 12 Black Studies curriculum to be woven into the existing public-school curriculum, is preparing for its pilot phase and gaining support amongst educators, parents, and community members across the city. This includes findings from a recent study that found Black New Yorkers agree Black studies are needed to improve the overall educational system.

Members of the EEAP Coalition hosted its first Black Media Salon at the historic Sylvia’s in Harlem to update members of the Black press about the curriculum, why it is needed, and several future events that will engage NYC residents and build support for the adoption implementation of the curriculum citywide.

The EEAP was created to address pre-existing, fundamental racial inequities in access to quality education as well as fostering positive educational experiences for students of color, which ultimately were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. The plan advanced when the City adopted its Fiscal Year 2022 budget last June.

The New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (B-L-A-C) provided funding to the Black Education Research Collective (BERC), the United Way of New York City, the Eagle Academy Foundation, the Association of Black Educators of New York, Inc. (ABENY),  and Black Edfluencers-United (BE-U).

(EEAP Coalition Members + Cheryl Wills for panel discussion – left to right) Shameek Robinson/ABENY, Educator and Speaker George Patterson, Educator and Activist Michelle Patterson, United Way of New York City Associate Vice President, Education Nina Simone Stovel, BE-U President Dr. Shango Blake, NY1’s Cheryl Wills, and ABENY Member Adrian Straker.

The organizations have since formed EEAP Coalition, and with support from the New York City Department of Education have made huge strides in advancing the initiative and generating educator and community support for the Black Studies Curriculum, which will be launched in select schools this fall and rolled out in phases.

The curriculum will focus on early African civilizations, the continuum of the Black experience in America, the contributions and achievements of African-diaspora peoples and their impact on the modern world. All are critical to helping Black children see themselves reflected in the curriculum to build their self-confidence and self-worth.

The EEAP Coalition is dedicated to not only ushering in this landmark curriculum, but building support for the campaign in the community. To that end, they are hosting the following events to reach New Yorkers:

Black Studies: Let’s Read Me + You (ongoing)

The EEAP Coalition has already launched Black Studies: Let’s Read Me + You Series. This empowering series features New York influencers and authors such as activist and educator Dr. Hazel Dukes, and Brooklyn Children’s author Nina Crews to share stories that uplift the voices, experiences, and legacies of Black students so they are reflected and celebrated in the public-school curriculum for the benefit of every student.

Barbershop Conversations: Shaping More Than Hair – May 21 (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) @ Denny Moe’s Barbershop in Harlem

We’re lining up a conversation about the importance of Black boys’ education and the benefit of Black boys being seen and celebrated in the place that shapes their minds – the classroom! Special guests will include Hip-Hop Principal Dr. Shango Blake, author Bakari Sellers, and educators and activists Jose Vilson and George Patterson. A live DJ, food and prize giveaways will also be included.

Beauty Shop Conversations – May 21 (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) BeYOUtiful: A Conversation About Black Girls, Education, and Confidence – Back2Basics Salon in Harlem

The event will feature a discussion about Black hair, Black studies, and self-knowledge in a space that has always shaped our hair-dos and minds: the beauty salon. Hair and Race educator Keya Neal, who was featured on HBO Max Documentary “Not So Pretty,” activist and educator Michelle Patterson, EEAP member and activist Nina Stovel, and New York City leader and educator Adrian Strayer will serve as special guest speakers.

Laundromat Socials – June 4 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. @ Sudsy Water @ Polo Grounds and Sudsy Water @ NYCHA 

We will reach out to the community by taking over laundromats to help bring fun, joy, giveaways and information about Black Studies with reads for kids, food, live DJ and giveaways.

Black Studies Summit – June 24 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ Faculty House at Columbia University 

We will bring together educators, facilitators, and activists from across the city to discuss the current state of education and a push toward a more culturally relevant education.

Rally for Black Studies – June 26 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The EEAP Coalition will host a community block study where community organizations, educators, parents and students will gather to celebrate and spread awareness for the need for Black Studies.

For more information or to get involved, contact info@eeapcoaltion.org or visit www.eeapcoalition.org.