Gwen Samuel

In 2010, I learned about the California Parent Trigger law introduced by retired Senator Gloria Romero. This California parent empowerment law  gives parents the legal power to improve the educational experiences of their children.  As a result of this California parent empowerment law, I was awakened to “hope” for Connecticut marginalized children, knowing that there was a law on the books that can now help black parents, like me, help our children who are trapped in schools that cannot or…

Read More Read More

Whether you have a Ph.D., or no D, we’re in this bag together. And whether you’re from Morehouse or Nohouse, we’re still in this bag together. –Fannie Lou Hamer It is a sad day for those who fight unwavering to seek justice in education. We have lost an authentic voice in education reform. She was a children and parent’s champion, my inspiration, my role model, and my friend, Ms. Shirley Ford. The truth is, I am full of mixed emotions…

Read More Read More

                                       Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Happy New Year! That was the chant across the globe 15 days ago. January first marked the end of the holiday season of good will towards man and the gifts of love that appeared abundant, since November, now seem to be fading fast for children,…

Read More Read More

     Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced. James Baldwin For this mom, being the Founder and a very conscious, unapologetic Black parent leader of an all-volunteer, parent led organization, leaves little time and energy to gather my thoughts to write a timely blog. Yet, I felt I could not go into 2018 without sharing some of my reflections about October 13 -15, 2017, within downtown Philly. Black Male Educators –…

Read More Read More

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” Nelson Mandela As a parent, by law, I am forced to send my children to public schools. As a result, it should go without saying in the world of compulsory public education that schools must foster learning in a safe, culturally responsive, and healthy environment for all our children, educators, and support staff. But the sad reality is we do not…

Read More Read More

“As parents, taking responsibility for our children’s academic and life success is something we must do, not something that is done for us-but with us.” Gwen Samuel, Founder Connecticut Parents Union  The Struggle is still so real – sigh… The stereotypes and prejudgments about Black, brown and poor parents have become so normalized in most decision making circles, that if we, as parents of color, do not vote as a collective and take back the narrative being perpetuated about us…

Read More Read More

Our children pay a heavy price when we lack consciousness…we bequeath to them our own unresolved needs, unmet expectations, and frustrated dreams. Despite our best intentions, we enslave them to the emotional inheritance we received from our parents, binding them to the debilitating legacy of ancestors past. The nature of unconsciousness is such that, until it’s metabolized, it will seep through generation after generation. Only through awareness can the cycle of pain that swirls in families end. ” ― Shefali…

Read More Read More

“Any situation in which some men prevent others from engaging in the process of inquiry is one of violence;… to alienate humans from their own decision making is to change them into objects.” Paulo Freire As a Black mom with children in public schools, it troubles me to learn that you, Reverend Al Sharpton, have just declared war against Black, brown and poor parents who choose to put the safety, education and overall wellbeing of their children and all children…

Read More Read More

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 America. You might ask why wasn’t I out celebrating the 4th today. And all I can say is it’s because the status quo protectors and oppressors #StayWoke too. They don’t…

Read More Read More

  Shirley Chisholm said  “There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must pay a price.” Since losing my son in a fatal car accident last year, every day, my emotional capacity is tested; and every day, I make a vow to give up fighting this overwhelming battle for education justice. That’s because too many people, even people who look like me, are too quick to…

Read More Read More