It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men
-Fredrick Douglass
The middle school curriculum consists of three engaging courses—Government in Black, Mount Blackmore, and Invent in Noir—designed to offer students an immersive education on Black history and civic understanding. In Government in Black, students learn about the structure, functions, and impact of government policies on Black communities, studying key amendments, civic engagement, and historical policies through a Black-centered lens. Mount Blackmore encourages students to research Black historical figures, selecting a top four to construct their own “Mount Blackmore,” exploring how these figures influenced American history. Invent in Noir covers the achievements of Black inventors, focusing on the systemic challenges they faced and encouraging students to create a documentary or podcast highlighting solutions for protecting Black inventors’ rights. Together, these courses empower students with historical insight, critical thinking skills, and a foundation in social advocacy.
Here are the Course we offer to middle school students:
Mount BLACKMORE
The lesson plan begins with an exploration of Mount Rushmore’s history, focusing on its creation, significance, and controversy, including its location on sacred Lakota Sioux land. Students analyze the four presidents depicted and research their contributions, reflecting on the social and political context of the 1920s-1940s. The lesson then transitions to the exclusion of Black leaders from national monuments and how this reflects broader historical trends. In the following weeks, students conceptualize a new monument, “Mount Blackmore,” selecting key Black figures representing birth, growth, development, and preservation. The plan culminates in students creating a podcast, digital campaigns, and participating in a class debate defending their monument selections, emphasizing the importance of representation in national memory.
Government in Black
The lesson plan “Understanding Government Through a Black Lens” introduces students to the structure and functions of the U.S. government, focusing on its historical and current impact on Black communities. It covers key topics like government branches, lobbyists, and the Constitution, followed by discussions on Black representation, major amendments, and Supreme Court rulings. Students engage in research projects, debates, and presentations to analyze policies that affect Black communities, such as housing, environmental justice, and the criminal justice system. The plan encourages civic engagement, critical thinking, and advocacy, culminating in midterm and final projects where students propose policy changes or solutions to current issues. The course ultimately empowers students to understand the government system and advocate for equitable policies affecting marginalized groups.
Invent In Black
The “Invent in Noir” lesson plan guides students through the history and impact of Black inventors, examining how systemic challenges have influenced their contributions and the credit they received. Over two six-week courses, students learn about various Black inventors, from early innovators to modern figures, exploring inventions that shaped industries and society. The curriculum incorporates daily introductions to inventors, case studies on the exploitation of Black intellectual property, and discussions on patent rights. The second course encourages students to create a documentary or podcast, presenting solutions for protecting Black inventors’ rights. Through interactive seminars, research projects, and creative assignments, students gain a deep understanding of the resilience and legacy of Black inventors.