Shaping Tomorrow: How YELLOW is Writing the Next Chapter of Black History

“This can look like a wellness night where they’re doing physical activities, or we’ll bring in a mental health professional or we’ll host a game night or provide career upskilling and resume writing workshops. Those are all the components that we think make a well-rounded individual which in turn helps to build a well-rounded child in terms of their educational experience, and it’s important to get everybody involved.”

YELLOW operates on the principle that choice matters for every student. “Choice is important because everybody’s different. Every child learns differently. Everybody’s background is different. And also, why not? We get choices about everything else. You go to a restaurant you get a menu of choices, or when you go to a place of service, you get choices. We started this as another option for those who have been historically marginalized for years, which is systemic.”

Still, barriers exist for Black educational leaders today.

“We face barriers including access to opportunity but also being put in a box,” Walters explained. In general, when you think about public schooling, everybody’s teaching to test. If your students don’t test well, teachers are judged even though tests don’t necessarily dictate the quality of a teacher. Also, not having the tools that they need to be able to get things done, and then a lack of parental involvement are some of the barriers that are facing them today.”

A YELLOW student completes a class project

Stories of how YELLOW has changed lives continually inspire the team to keep pushing forward.

“Some of the things that we hear from our families are that, ‘My kids are kinder; they like coming to school; they’re teaching us about kindness and wellness; and they want to get up and go to school in the morning.’ I think those are the biggest compliments to the team. Our team here is trying so hard to build a space of belonging for the explorers and make them feel like they’re heard,” Walters said.

In one case Stephanie recounted, the explorers organized a meeting to add more plant-based lunch choices, after realizing the only plant-based student only had one option. Thanks to their efforts, the school now has a more diverse menu that everyone enjoys.

“We strive to build that amplification of youth voice and letting them know their voice does matter. There are ways and guidelines and processes that you have to go through, but it is possible to make change,” Walter said.

YELLOW’s innovative approach to education, rooted in equity, representation, and community engagement, stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership.

As Black History Month serves as a reflection on the profound contributions and enduring legacy of Black individuals throughout history, leaders like Stephanie Walters and organizations like YELLOW remind us that history is not just a record of the past but a blueprint for the future.