Meisha Ross-Porter, the New York City schools chancellor, has collaborated with officials to introduce a new Black studies curriculum. The new curriculum will to be an effort to improve the “role of race in power relationships and the impact of systemic and institutional racism.” 

Porter partnered with city legislators, academics and nonprofit representatives in announcing the city council’s initiative at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Manhattan.  

According to the NY Post, Porter stated that the curriculum will prepare city kids to combat the racism in their midst. “If we’re serious about addressing racial justice, we have to look at what our students learn every day,” she said. “And not just Black children, but all children.” 

Porter has argued that city schools should offer learning materials and emphases that better reflect the system’s demographics. “Our children have to see and experience themselves every single day in the curriculum,” she said. “They have to see their value and worth because they have seen so many other messages that say different.” 

The curriculum will also include a greater focus on early African history and civilizations including Ethiopia and Timbuktu, presenters said. The new curriculum with give city teachers the opportunity to move beyond just focusing on slavery and embracing all of Black history.