Denisha Allen is an education expert and founder of Black Minds Matter and a leading voice on teachers’ unions and school choice, especially as it pertains to African Americans. Recently, she testified before Congress on the federal push for school choice. The advocate for education freedom understands how as a result of the pandemic, Black and Hispanic families suffered the highest achievement gaps. For instance, the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores in math achievement show Hispanic and African Americans dropped eight points and 13 points, matching or surpassing the declines for the nation as a whole. In reading, scores for African Americans, Hispanics, and whites were all six points lower, leaving relative gaps unchanged.
Denisha Allen holds a Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary social science from the University of West Florida and a Master’s degree in social work from the University of South Florida. Her love for sharing knowledge about African Americans and education in the United States has led her to embark on a groundbreaking study on Black School Founders/Entrepreneurs.
She credits her participation in an incubator program supported by the State Policy Network for inspiring the concept of a pop-up exhibit. Drawing inspiration from Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative Museum, Denisha saw an opportunity to showcase the turnaround stories of individuals who have benefited from education freedom. The exhibit, titled “Self-Determined: The secret history of education freedom,” aims to shed light on the struggle for African Americans’ education freedom from slavery to the present day.
Balancing Life and Work
When it comes to enjoying her personal time, Denisha seeks out fresh air, sunshine, and good company. It’s easy for her to highlight the numerous personal and professional benefits she derives from playing golf. “The sport allows me to enjoy the outdoors, soak up the sun’s rays, and share hearty laughter with like-minded individuals,” says the married 31-year-old, who embraces the challenges and joys of golf. She continues to find personal fulfillment and connections with others who share her passion for the game.
Empowering Black School Founders through Black Minds Matter:
Denisha’s passion for education equality led her to found Black Minds Matter in 2020, during a time of civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Recognizing the parallels between institutional injustices in the criminal justice system and inequities in the education system, she strongly emphasizes the importance of Black minds equally mattering for Black lives to truly matter.
The Black Minds Matter Initiative and Directory of Black-Founded Schools:
Black Minds Matter has become a platform to address the inequities faced by Black children in the education system. Denisha’s initiative seeks to ensure that every student in America has access to the best school of their parents’ choice. Through the first-ever directory of “Black-founded schools” available on the organization’s website, Denisha highlights the diverse learning options created by Black school founders. The directory currently lists nearly four hundred schools, each with a link to their respective websites. These schools offer a range of curriculum choices, pedagogical approaches, and school types, including private schools, charter schools, micro-schools, and options that tie into homeschooling.
While Denisha is currently seeking a publisher for her memoir, her book aims to further emphasize the importance of education equality and shed light on the struggles and triumphs of Black school founders. Denisha envisions her book as a powerful tool to inspire change, challenge the status quo, and provide tangible solutions to improve the educational prospects of Black Americans.
Denisha’s dedication to education equality and the empowerment of Black school founders through the Black Minds Matter initiative is driving real-world change. Her efforts to showcase the history of education freedom for African Americans and the accomplishments of Black school founders are creating awareness and spurring action. With her upcoming book and the Black Minds Matter movement, Denisha is determined to make education freedom a reality for every Black child in America, ensuring that Black minds truly matter in the pursuit of a brighter future.
To learn more about Denisha and her efforts at Black Minds Matter visit https://www.blackmindsmatter.net
