What: A six-session, in-person Black teacher affinity group in Oakland, California
When: Spring 2026 (March–May)
Who: Black classroom teachers (grades 3–12, all subjects)
Stipend: Up to $480 for full participation

This series strengthens and sustains Black teachers' leadership in a moment of profound challenge and possibility. Black teachers in high-needs schools carry disproportionate burdens while navigating dwindling resources, increased political scrutiny, and policies that undermine culturally responsive, equity-centered instruction. In the face of funding losses and anti-DEI legislation, this series creates protected space for Black teachers to deepen pedagogical practice rooted in liberation, joy, and cultural affirmation.

You are an essential architect of literacy environments where Black and all children think critically, see themselves reflected, and cultivate the skills to thrive despite systemic barriers. This series builds community and collective capacity, equipping you with tools, knowledge, and support to counter harmful narratives, elevate student brilliance, and continue transformation work even amid hostile political conditions.

Embracing the renewal and transformative energy of spring, we'll gather to study liberatory texts, reflect deeply on practice, and implement learning into sequence and/or lesson design. In this intentional, bold, and mindful space, we will:

Deepen Our Practice

-Collectively read liberatory, Afrocentric, and culturally responsive texts

-Explore literacy as a tool for identity affirmation, resistance, cultural reclamation, and collective freedom across all subjects

-Learn strategies to help students read, question, annotate, and analyze discipline-specific texts

Design for Liberation

-Create lessons that empower students to write and speak with purpose and agency

-Develop actionable approaches for belonging, empowerment, and liberation in your classroom

-Between sessions 3-4, design and implement a critical literacy sequence/lesson with facilitator guidance

Build Community

-Share and reflect on your learning journey with peers

-Document and present student outcomes to the learning community

-Create lasting professional support networks

Dates & Times: 5:00–7:30pm PT (dinner served from 5:00–5:30)

• Session 1: Tuesday, March 3 – Building Our Community & Overview
• Session 2: Tuesday, March 10 – Deepen Historical Understanding of Literacy and Black Freedom
• Session 3: Tuesday, March 17 – Strengthen Culturally Rooted Pedagogical Practice
• Between Sessions 3-4: Design Critical Literacy Sequence/Lesson
• Session 4: Tuesday, April 14 – Increase Capacity for Critical Literacy Instruction
• Session 5: Tuesday, April 21 – Strengthen Assessment for Liberation
• Session 6: Tuesday, May 5 – Celebrate Ourselves & Create a Professional Support Community

Location: 1528 Webster Street Oakland, CA 94612. 5 minute walk from 12th street BART. 

To participate, you must:

1. Be a full or part-time Black 3-12 grade classroom teacher (of any subject)

2. Have taught for at least 2 full years (currently in at least your 3rd year of teaching)

3. Attend all six sessions for the full time

4. Complete assigned readings and activities between sessions

• Cohort Size: Up to 30 participants

• Reading & Assignments: Complete all assigned work before each session

• Design Project: Create and implement a critical literacy sequence/lesson between sessions 3-4, then present your work and student outcomes to the learning community

• Compensation: $480 stipend for full participation

• Application Opens: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

• Applications Due: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

• Decisions Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026