Protecting Black Educators, All Students & Our Future

Dear Friends:

Earlier today, we learned that a judge ruled in favor of our request for a Preliminary Injunction to immediately pause enforcement of the U.S. Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter, which threatens to revoke federal funding from schools that work with organizations like ours that advocate for impartiality, opportunity, inclusivity, and the well-being of Black teachers and all students. This preliminary injunction signals that the court believes our lawsuit has merit and temporarily halts barriers to our important and necessary work. And while the legal case is far from over, we believe this is a positive step in the right direction. 

As the Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), I want to take a minute to share why we have taken the bold step to join this federal lawsuit. The case, which includes the National Education Association (NEA) and NEA’s New Hampshire chapter, and was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, alongside their New Hampshire and Massachusetts affiliates, challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s recent mis- “guidance” to educational institutions that undermines the partnerships and practices that power our mission.

If the Department’s letter stands, this supposed mandate could dismantle the very infrastructure CBED and many others have spent years developing to provide all students with access to high-quality education that improves their conditions and learning outcomes, and to rebuild the declining national Black teacher pipeline. A lack of diversity in our classrooms impacts all of us, and now we’re being attacked for actually trying to create a just educational environment for all.

To stay true to our mission, we felt compelled to act in this moment. Joining this lawsuit is both a strategic and personal decision for us as advocates for Black educators and students.

Here’s where we stand:

• At CBED, we are unapologetic about our commitment to supporting, training and protecting Black educators. We believe deeply in reintroducing effective, research-based instructional methods and practices. 
• Black teacher recruitment numbers are down at home in Philadelphia and across the country. There is high attrition and decreased interest, which is the challenge CBED is here to help solve. This Dear Colleague letter will only exacerbate the current teacher shortage, hurting our public school students and systems.
• After spending decades as a teacher and principal, I know firsthand the power of Black educators to inspire, connect, and transform students of all races and backgrounds. And research confirms my lived experience: Black students with even one Black teacher are significantly more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. 
• Black students are best positioned for success when they have access to teachers who can serve as mirrors, not just windows, to their world. And all students benefit from a diverse educator workforce in an increasingly global society. 
• Our lawsuit is not about politics – it’s about protecting the future of education. We cannot allow sound educational practices rooted in evidence and cultural understanding to be reframed as discriminatory. 

As we plan for the journey ahead, we remain dedicated to ensuring that Black students see themselves reflected in their classrooms and that Black educators, and all other educators are empowered, not penalized, for teaching with integrity and respect. We know that Black educators bring more than lessons – they bring diverse perspectives, mentorship, and cultural relevance that enrich every student’s experience in the classroom and in society. And that is something worth fighting for. 

Stand with us.

Read My Full Declaration

#ThankABlackTeacher on May 8th as we celebrate Black Teacher Appreciation Day.

#WeNeedBlackTeachers

In solidarity,
Sharif El-Mekki