On January 22, 2025, I attended the CEO Community Conversation co-hosted by the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) and Dr. Sonja Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, at Baltimore Unity Hall.
From my perspective, the event was a powerful display of communal solidarity, where City Schools and grassroots, youth-serving organizations came together to share, strategize, and reaffirm our collective commitment to the holistic well-being of our children. These spaces are critical because they allow us to align our efforts, ensuring that education in Baltimore is not just happening to our children, but for and with them.
During the conversation, I was particularly struck by discussions around implementing a city-wide Black Studies curriculum, similar to New York City’s groundbreaking initiative, Black Studies as the Study of the World. In a majority-Black school district (where our students, educators, and leadership reflect the very history being taught) it is both possible and necessary to create an educational framework that is culturally relevant, responsive, and liberatory.
This conversation could not have come at a more pivotal moment. Across the nation, we are witnessing a deliberate dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, attacks on affirmative action, and the suppression of civil rights education. In this moment, equipping students, educators, and families with the historical and ancestral knowledge of resistance, perseverance, community solidarity, and Black genius is not just an academic necessity—it is an act of resistance.
Baltimore has a long history of producing changemakers, organizers, scholars, and artists whose work has influenced movements across the globe. The progress fought for and won by Black Americans has benefitted the world and will continue to do so as long as we invest in our future generations.
One of the most valuable takeaways from this event was the opportunity to engage with other mission-aligned leaders, particularly Dr. Brian Morrison, Founder of The William J. Watkins, Sr. Educational Institute. Our conversation reminded me of the power of partnership—and how grassroots educators, community organizations, and institutional leaders must work together to ensure the sustainability of Black Studies in our city.
At Crayons & Culture, we recognize our role within this educational ecosystem. While the school system provides a foundational structure for academic learning, our work extends beyond the school day, offering immersive, culturally relevant experiences that affirm identity, deepen historical knowledge, and inspire self-determination. We are not just filling gaps; we are creating bridges…to history, to culture, to the future.
Leaving the event, I felt inspired and determined. Baltimore wants to see our children win. And ensuring their success requires investment, not just in words, but in action.
If we are serious about transforming education, we must invest in organizations that do the work, live the mission, and directly impact our communities. Supporting Crayons & Culture means investing in:
- High-quality, culturally relevant programming for Black and Brown children.
- Grassroots-led, community-based education that meets students where they are.
- Experiences that extend beyond textbooks, connecting students to their heritage and future possibilities.
We are grateful to the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund for believing in Crayons & Culture and for fostering spaces where collaboration leads to action.
But the work is far from done. Join us in ensuring that every child in Baltimore has access to an education that affirms, empowers, and liberates.
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