As a Black woman educator…
As a Black woman educator, how many times have you felt stuck—like you're growing, but constantly told you’re either too much or not enough?
How often have you been overlooked for a leadership role though your expertise more than qualified you?
Who can you turn to when you need genuine support and accountability?
Here is our why…
the Challenges, the Impact, and the Need for Change
Black women educators are often met with limited advancement opportunities compared to their counterparts. Studies show that they face more obstacles in reaching leadership roles, leading many to feel professionally stagnant despite their expertise and potential.
Despite high levels of commitment and impact, Black women educators frequently feel undervalued and overlooked. This undervaluation affects motivation and a sense of belonging, leading to higher turnover rates that disrupt student continuity and success.
Black women who reach leadership roles often find themselves isolated in predominantly white or male-dominated spaces, where they are subject to microaggressions and exclusionary practices. This isolation can impact their ability to lead effectively and feel supported.
Navigating stereotypes and biases, Black women educators often feel pressure to perform beyond expectations while masking their true selves. This emotional strain contributes to burnout and impacts their overall well-being.
The systemic challenges Black women educators face ultimately affect educational equity. When Black women leave the field or are hindered from advancing, schools lose valuable leadership that could otherwise champion and drive lasting change.
who we are
That’s why black girls teach exists.
Black women educators face unique challenges that are often overlooked by traditional DEI initiatives, which tend to group them with broader affinity spaces focused on Black educators or people of color.
While these spaces provide general support, they rarely address the specific, intersecting challenges Black women face due to both their race and gender. Meanwhile, many districts have begun to provide Black male educators with targeted support and leadership development without providing that same space to Black women.
We are here to change that.
Hi, I’m Deidra.
I’m an unapologetically outspoken veteran educator that wants nothing more than to see my fellow Black women educators WIN. And to win, we must demand access to the same opportunities and privileges as our white counterparts. Over the years, I’ve endured what many Black women educators continue to face today - lack of representation and support. I’ve worked in challenging schools with ill-equipped leadership and have had to “make it work” without the necessary resources and mentorship to thrive in my role. Everything I speak on, I have witnessed or survived. I am YOU.
I birthed Black Girls Teach out of my desire to build a community where Black women educators can come together to discuss topics, solicit advice, share best practices, and connect honestly and freely. I stopped waiting around to be acknowledged by my school and decided to invest in myself and other Black women educators through my platform. The raw and sometimes uncomfortable conversations allow people - especially non-Black educators and leaders - to see and hear the unique perspectives of Black women working in education.
My goal is to continue to disrupt the complacent, whitewashed mindsets and speak up about inequity in education. I encourage all socially conscious, anti-racist educators to stand in their truth and use their voices to shed light on the disparities in education, too. We need all hands on deck.