Her Words Are Armor

For many years, schools have not always welcomed or fully supported Black, Indigenous, and other families of color. Families’ racial, cultural, and gender identities have often led to unfair stereotypes about their abilities, goals, and commitment to education. Because of this, many Black families teach their children how to navigate and survive in school systems that may not always treat them fairly.

There is often a gap between how schools view Black families and how Black families view themselves. Schools may hold deficit-based beliefs, while Black families strongly value education and actively prepare their children to succeed—even in challenging or discriminatory environments.

This study seeks to close that gap by listening directly to Black mothers and their children. We want to understand how Black mothers share stories about school, what lessons they pass down, and how their children interpret and use those stories in their own educational journeys.

Black women have long supported not only their own families, but entire communities. They advocate for fair, culturally responsive schools and push for policies that center families in decision-making. Research shows that Black families play a powerful role in their children’s academic and social development. Yet, very little research focuses on how Black mothers pass down their knowledge and values about education through storytelling.

Too often, Black parenting practices are misunderstood or portrayed negatively. This limits opportunities for schools to learn from Black families and build stronger, more supportive environments. Our project highlights the voices and lived experiences of Black mothers and their children to better understand the strength, wisdom, and cultural knowledge within Black families.

We will work with up to 30 Black families using interviews and conversations with mothers and their daughters together. Our study focuses on two main questions:

1.  How do Black mothers share values and knowledge about schooling spaces to prepare their children to navigate school structures and build educational aspirations? What values and knowledge do they share? 

2.  What kinds of stories do Black mothers share about their own schooling experiences to their children? How do their children recount and make meaning of these stories? 

By centering Black families’ voices, this project aims to help educators better understand and support Black students in ways that are affirming, culturally responsive, and rooted in respect.