The Tradition of Education in the Black Community

The tradition of education in the Black community is deeply rooted in the history of African American education in the United States. It began with the efforts of African American slaves to learn how to read and write in secret during the era of slavery. This tradition continued after the Civil War with the establishment of schools, although these were often poorly funded and lacked resources. The Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954 marked a significant step towards equal access to education for African Americans. Despite progress, disparities in education still exist highlighting the ongoing need for equality in education.

The Office for Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia prizes education and strives through the Mitchell Scholarship to give Black Catholic youth the opportunity to access Catholic High Schools within our Archdiocese. We have also created the Sister Bea Jeffries, SBS Black Catholic Formation Program so that Black Catholic adults can further their spiritual education. Information about both is available in the “Education” drop down menu.