Between a national state of divisiveness, and federal interference in African American education, Roots Public Charter School (PCS) interim board chair Cameron Poles reckons the push for Black liberation is as critical now as in 1999, when the African-centered learning institution first blossomed as a pillar of “restoration” in Northwest D.C.
“Roots exists because we recognize that most public systems, including public education, fail Black families and fail Black children,” said Poles, who also serves as creative director and chief dot connector for the D.C.-based Black Alley Band. “We have to sort of restore the damage that’s been done [to] the academic strength, the social confidence, the cultural pride, [and] the holistic health of our children and community.”
Both Poles and Roots PCS founder Dr. Bernida L. Thompson agree that the rehabilitation starts with challenging historic patterns “not set up to serve the interest of Black people,” notably the vast majority who attend public schools.
“Our young people [should] know about the genius that’s in our genes and how the enemy can do things to make us not accomplish [our goals],” Thompson, who goes by Mama Bernida, told The Informer ahead of retirement in July 2023. “African-centered education inculcates children with who we are, where we are and what we must do to liberate ourselves and our community.”
At Roots PCS, liberation manifests through hands-on and holistic activities that center the seven principles of African heritage: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Students as early as 6 years old, with pre-primary care options for ages 3-5, bask in culturally enriching programming including hands-on science, weekly African drumming and dancing, D.C. hand-dancing classes, and introductory courses for Kiswahili, Spanish, and French.
After crediting the foundation laid by Thompson, who also established the institution’s blueprint, Roots Learning Activity Center in 1977, Poles emphasized each of these elements as “critically important” amid what he deems a resurgence of pushback against African American advancement.
“[Black-led] education institutions that work to not only maintain the progress that we have fought tooth and nail for, but then also imagine a future where we are sort of immune to any of these attacks that we know will keep coming at us,” said Poles, “it’s necessary if we’re going to survive as a community, if we’re going to thrive as a community, if we’re going to survive as a people.”
Further, the collaborative village of parents, mamas and babas, and board representatives work to guarantee a culturally affirming experience aimed at building crucial skills in and out of the classroom, including resilience, a sense of identity and belonging, and achieving self-actualization.
“If you want to ensure that your children are in a safe environment that affirms their abilities in a positive manner, and allows them to be not only in tune with their African heritage but also in tune with their humanity, Roots is the school for you,” said Lynette Monroe-Wilson, president of the parental advisory council.
Striving to ‘Build Communities of Resilience’
Reflecting on the recent culmination of Black August, a month dedicated to honoring fallen freedom fighters, Monroe-Wilson spoke of revolutionary George Jackson, whose brother once deemed his role to “sow dissent” and “highlight the contradictions between the people and the state.”
Today, with efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and minimize racial history in academia, the council president says the window of opportunity lies in “seeking community,” at least for those who wish to effect change.
“My personal theme for this year is “evergreen,” and I think it also speaks to the nature of African philosophy in the fact that development is not a linear path, but it is a cycle,” she told The Informer. “We know that whatever challenges may present themselves in this administration or country in general, that brighter days are coming, and we are preparing for those days.”
Poles offered a passionate plea to see communities of color find their footing in a digitally evolving age, where themes of isolation and going into “individual survival mode” can plague families and children with feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Thus, while acknowledging a goal to align the curriculum with more technology-driven and STEM fields, the board chair also added Roots PCS strives to equip students with the tools to succeed independently, “no matter what their future looks like.”
Among the list of practical life skills to develop include learning how to: barter, grow produce, fix and build objects, and find joy in everyday life and interactions without relying strictly on the unprecedented growth of technology and artificial intelligence, which he notes “is not sustainable.”
“Some people might call them old-fashioned, but these are actually time-tested technologies for thriving on planet Earth,” Poles told The Informer. “One of the things that flies under the radar is that the resources that all of this technology requires…there’s only so much water and it’s only so much oil. Sooner than people realize, it’s going to come to a point where we have to scale back, and [understand] how we were able to maintain and thrive…with simpler ways of living.”
In the meantime, both educators are pushing to “build communities of resilience” through the Roots PCS mission, while sharing hopes to create more community partnerships and eventually implement workforce development sessions for parents and children alike.
“There’s no limit. Like one of the seven principles–Kuumba (creativity)–there is no limit to what we can imagine in terms of providing resources for our community,” he said. “If you are out here in the community and you want to be a part of that, then come on over. We’ll find a place for you to fit.”