I am proud to call Gwen Samuel my friend. She fights hard, extends grace, assumes best intentions, and believes in all children. She doesn’t want standards lowered for Black children—she wants us to do right by them in their schools so they can reach the same bar that we expect other children to reach. Because… Continue reading No Government Should Be Able to Tell You or Me to Put My Child in Harm’s Way
This is the moment in time when Black leaders must decide how committed they are—or are not—to the education of Black and Brown children. This week, ground zero of our education war is California but don’t be fooled—this evil is coming for all of us. If our Black leaders won’t stand up now, we know… Continue reading Gwen Samuel Tells Black Leaders To Stop Being Complicit and Stand Up For Black Parents
Children in the state of Connecticut are being denied access to schools that have plenty of room for them because of the color of their skin. Yup, that’s right. Available seats in the magnet schools of Hartford—and beyond— sit empty despite long waitlists for admission. And this denial of opportunity is happening in the name… Continue reading Seats Sit Empty While Black and Brown Students Are Turned Away
“At the end of the day, we have to do better for children.” – Gwen Samuel There is a warrior for children in Connecticut who battles day after day, year after year, on their behalf. She fights for better schools. She fights for safer schools. She fights for parents to have options when it comes… Continue reading She Manages to Spread Joy While She Fights For Families
Planet Mom Radio is back and has been broadcasting live from my kitchen—despite the distractions of kids walking around, dogs barking, and mounds of laundry, we still managed to talk about lots of mom stuff and school stuff. The first episode here touches on how much food kids go through during the summer, how my… Continue reading Planet Mom Radio Comes to My Kitchen in Rhode Island. Twice!
Gwen Samuel is an unapologetic advocate for children whose work started in Hartford, Connecticut and whose commitment to empowering parents to work for justice is unwavering. While many doubt the ability of regular folks to bring about change, Gwen proves it is possible and she has inspired countless parents and lawmakers along the way —including me.… Continue reading Warrior Mom, Gwen Samuel: No Gray Area When It Comes to Keeping Our Babies Safe in School
By Gwen Samuel While many were celebrating the 4th of July with hamburgers, hotdogs, fireworks and good ole fashioned apple pie, I was rereading Frederick Douglass’ speech of July 5, 1852, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” and applying it to the state of education for Black, brown and poor children in… Continue reading Gwen Samuel: If You Are Silent About My Oppression, You are My Oppressor
