Unapologetically Black Educator Story Lounge

By Vanessa Williams

D.C. Area educators for Social Justice (DCAESJ) co-hosted our second annual story lounge with EmpowerEd DC at Creole on 14th. Educators spanning all grades, subjects, and years of experience grabbed the mic and shared their stories as teachers and how their experiences as students drove them to education.

While many educators had signed up to tell their stories in advance, a number were inspired to share their reflections impromptu. Towards the end of the storytelling portion of the night, DCAESJ program manager Vanessa Williams shared a composite poem with golden lines and messages from storytellers that night. Entitled “Unapologetically Black,” the poem reflects minute details and immense experiences in everyone’s Black educator journey.

“Unapologetically Black”

Blackity Black Black
Because, there are no coincidences, only divine interventions
Because of the potential in all of us
Because of my dream of infinity
Because that happens to you, too?
Because one size fits all does not work in education
Because there is so much imagination and empathy and courage when kids aren’t primed against it
Because of all the unseen work, the unseen labor — I say thank you
Because we’re tired and every day I leave feeling heavier
Because I feel so welcomed and comfortable in this space
Because I was a kid that the teachers wrote off

Read more about the Story Lounge at In These Times “Black Educators are Reimagining A Better Education System.”