It means a lot to me as a young person—I’m from West Philly—to be able to distribute knowledge. They put me in a good position to teach others what I needed to be taught at their age.

As a psychology major, I didn’t start out wanting to work in a classroom, but after my fourth year working at Freedom Schools, I’m wondering, ‘Do I want to be a teacher?

I think it’s important for students to have Black male teachers, because it allows them to see themselves. When I saw my Black teachers, it was more than just somebody doing a job to teach me. It was like being with my uncle, my family.

When our Freedom Schools scholars look at me, they see not just a Black teacher, but someone that looks like a family member, making them more comfortable and ready to learn.

One of the beautiful things as an educator you can do, you have the ability to shape minds and share knowledge —which really is a lost art. Teachers can become social justice advocates by focusing on creating good humans.

This opportunity arrives at a crucial moment in my life as I aspire to center the Praxis of Black Love in my future classroom and in my everyday life. I am overjoyed to continue my journey of becoming a revolutionary Black educator.

We’re really going to change the field of education rapidly. I’m just excited about what’s to come. I want to see Black and brown students go to college, I want to see more diversity in education.