Affirming the Roles of Black Families in Education: A Community-Centered Approach to School Engagement

This book delves into the critical impact of school engagement on Black students and presents a community-centered vision of family engagement--one rooted in representation, affirmation, and connection--where Black students can thrive. Drawing from a rich store of scholarly research, Black elder wisdom, and evidence-based practices, it offers practical guidance on partnering with parents to create welcoming educational spaces that honor the cultural wealth and lived experiences of Black families. The text challenges systemic barriers, biases, and historical injustices within educational environments that detrimentally affect Black students, underscoring the urgent need for educators to build robust partnerships with Black families and communities. Grounded in the concept of hospitality, the book equips educators with tools and insights necessary for supporting the academic and personal growth of Black students by fostering healthy connections between schools, families, and communities. The book will be important reading for pre-service and in-service teachers, particularly those studying or researching in Family-School-Community Interactions, Social Justice Education, Multicultural Education, Educational Leadership and Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Sociology of Education, and African American Studies.