I’m reading this book in the midst of the teacher strikes taking place in Chicago. It symbolizes that in many ways the fight for funding quality education lives on. Schools of Our Own takes a look at what the author refers to as a golden age in Black private education. This book focuses on three schools and their effect on the Black community and it’s fight for quality education: Howalton, Holy Name of Mary School and the New Concept Development Center. Each of these schools were built at a time when Black people were fighting for their children to receive an education but to see themselves in the curriculum. These schools provided that. But each school would see their doors eventually close

Some of these books can be really frustrating to read. Not in their quality because this was a very well written book, but in their content. No one should have to fight for an education but these three schools are a prime example of how we fight, how the community comes together and how it happens because of the children. Each story is unique but it’s centered around educational needs. This is a very enlightening book. It gives comprehensive looks at each school, how they functioned, how they prioritized and structured teaching and what the founders stood for. It’s a small case study but a necessary one. I’ll definitely recommend it to those willing to learn about the changes in education and how it relates and in many ways reflects the fight still happening.