Decade after decade, we’ve seen the bravery of a few ignite progress for many. From the 1954 landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the push for equitable education has always been driven by collective action. What started as a simple demand for integration in schools quickly evolved into a larger battle: Do Black students deserve the same educational privileges as their white counterparts? The ruling sparked a domino effect of historic movements, from the Little Rock Nine to the March on Washington, each one further dismantling segregation across the South and the U.S.
But the fight for educational equity didn’t end in the ’60s—it continues today.
According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, nearly 8,000 racially homogenous schools were located just five miles apart in the same communities. White (45%) and Hispanic (31%) students are more likely to attend schools with peers of the same race, while Black students trail at just over 20%. And while today’s segregation may not be overt, the data shows it’s still deeply rooted in household income, social class, zoning laws, and how school districts are funded. In cities like Memphis, Philadelphia, and parts of New York, Black students disproportionately attend underfunded schools with limited access to qualified educators, modern technology, or advanced academic programs. Reports from The Century Foundation reinforce that school quality often hinges on property tax revenue—leaving predominantly white districts at a long-standing advantage.
While the disparities in K-12 education are stark, Black women are excelling at the collegiate level. The Pew Research Center, accounted 38% of bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students, significantly outpacing Black men at 26%. These numbers reflect success across both HBCUs and predominantly white institutions (PWIs).
Technology has played a major role in this shift. With broader access to tools for learning and advancement, Gen Z students have more opportunities than generations before. But that access isn’t universal. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into education, a lack of broadband access and digital resources threatens to leave students in underfunded communities even further behind.
Now, history itself is under attack. Within months of President Trump’s re-election, key educational programs and resources have already begun to vanish. Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been weaponized by groups like No Left Turn in Education and Parents Defending Education, mischaracterized as “anti-white” and stripped from school curricula. These efforts have extended beyond race, targeting lessons around gender and sexual identity and banning books that reflect marginalized experiences.
Coming from a time when our ancestors were punished for learning to read, today’s Gen Z scholars are reclaiming education on their own terms. Reflecting on the progress we’ve made isn’t just a history lesson—it’s fuel. It’s a reminder that the resilience that pushed us forward before is the same energy we’ll need to protect the truth, fight for resources, and keep showing up, no matter the obstacle.