When properly motivated, when exposed to competent and dedicated teachers, and when prepared as the "whole child" in the "whole school" and supported by the "whole community," Black public school students can outperform any group of students, intellectually and academically. This article explains how this remarkable feat was accomplished, twice, in a Kansas school system in the 1940s.

Educational excellence for Black school-age students is a realistic and achievable goal. It has been accomplished many times in the past, despite America's historical mistreatment of its Black citizens and other marginalized groups. It is more than possible to achieve this worthy goal, once again. This article explains what it takes to do so.

Next week, I am returning to the place where I was born for the first time since my family left in 1949. It's a trip to say "thank you" to a small Kansas city and a loving Black community that played a very big role in the Watkins family's development and growth in America.

An act of kindness by a stranger in Kentucky delivered a missing and cherished piece of history to the Watkins family. After 84 years, this priceless item found its way back home.

By: Donald V. Watkins Copyrighted and Published on October 17, 2023 He was described as " one of the most promising young Negro educators...