The 2010 National Poetry Month poster, designed by Marian Bantjes.
Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

Greetings to those of you that already know me and to those I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. I am a black woman, mother, grandmother, educator, artist, and fighter for children…still a work in progress.  In this particular “conversation” I want you to have some sense of who I am and what I am about. I raised 4 children (now adults at various stages in their development) and I am a Grandma of 5.  I have been blessed to work with children for over 30 years in various ways…and there are unbelievable stories from that journey ― some that hurt you and scar you to the core and others that warm and touch your heart.

Tonight when I came home from work, spirit told me to write and send this particular blog out ― immediately, with urgency! I have no idea why I felt this tremendous sense of urgency to write this tonight. But I listen to the voice of the Creator. I have learned through many hard lessons that when the Creator tells me to do something ― not to question it, but to obey. So I am obeying the message I was given. My original intent of this blog was to focus on health, and holistic healing. Tonight the conversation is about Black families and public education. However, in reality any aspect of our life has to do with holistic healing – be it physical, mental, emotional, education, family, survival, etc.

Folks, I have been working on a book about the stories of Black families in public education for a while. For me, it will be one way of sharing the stories I have been blessed to experience first hand as a mother, teacher, woman, neighbor and friend. I find that when people hear stories of diverse families, different situations and various experiences, that they get a better understanding of what people go through which can make us all more sensitive to the plight of others  ― if we care.

Over the years I have also spent many nights in meetings and on the phone talking with relatives and friends about public school drama that they and I were dealing with as parents and teachers. I raised 4 children in the public schools of New Jersey and I could go on an on about my families experiences. But, I want to hear from you. I want you to share with me the stories you have lived, the experiences you have gone through both good and bad as parents, students, teachers, school staff, friends, neighbors, etc. I want to include your stories in this book by sharing “real life” experiences of Black folks, from across the country. It is important that we share and publicly reveal our stories, because some people go through certain experiences with teachers, schools and programs and think it is them alone. They sometimes suffer in silence, and other times celebrate in isolation. It is important to describe and expose the reality of what is happening to Black students in public schools and to also look at how to change an inherently flawed system.

If you are interested in sharing a story or experience with us, please send it as a comment or as an attachment to this blog. We will protect your privacy if you choose to share your story with us. Your name, child's name and school name will not be shared. We need to include diverse experiences in the book to show the challenges Black children are facing in public schools on a national level. We also want to focus on ways to bring about positive and productive change! We look forward to your stories.

Thank you. Helen Tinsley