The New Niagara Initiative is Amplifying Black Voices to Improve Black Education

The New Niagara project is a modern-day initiative with deep historical roots, designed to define and improve the state of Black education in the United States. Based on the spirit of the original Niagara Movement of 1905, this five-city listening tour takes inspiration from its forebearers, aiming to create powerful, transformative change in education. Spearheaded by Dr. Charles Cole, III, and in collaboration with the Freedom Coalition of Charter Schools, the New Niagara project calls for a resurgence of advocacy and action, much like W.E.B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter did over a century ago.

A Historical Through Line: The Original Niagara Movement

The original Niagara Movement was founded in 1905 by African-American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter, to combat the racial segregation and disenfranchisement that plagued African Americans following the post-Reconstruction era. This movement stood in contrast to the more accommodationist approach of Booker T. Washington, which focused on vocational training and gradual progress. Washington’s work for the betterment of Black people can’t be overstated, and this back-and-forth push between strategies is often what propels us forward. The Niagara Movement demanded immediate civil rights and political equality, making waves by holding their inaugural conference near Niagara Falls, symbolizing the power and force of the change they sought to achieve.

Though short-lived, the Niagara Movement laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements, including the formation of the NAACP in 1910. Its boldness and vision inspired subsequent generations of activists to fight for justice and equality in a nation slow to acknowledge these rights.

The State of Black Education and the Need for a “New Niagara?”

Today, the state of Black education in America is in crisis. 

The inspiration for the New Niagara comes from the recognition that millions of Black Americans continue to face educational failures, which have harmful ramifications for entire communities and generations. Misinformation and scarcity mindsets have eroded progress, and it is crucial to refocus the conversation on solutions. The goal is to honor the legacy of those who came before and create a path forward that will inspire future generations, just as the original Niagara Movement did.

Creating A Platform for Dialogue and Action

The New Niagara project is being conducted as a five-city listening tour designed to foster community discussions centered on Black education. Its purpose is clear: to reflect on the current challenges and strategize for better educational outcomes for Black families. Drawing directly from the lived experiences of students, families, and educators in the cities of Memphis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, and Chicago, the project will collect data, engage in comparative analysis, and build action plans rooted in these realities.

The conversations will be facilitated by Dr. Charles Cole, Sharif El-Mekki of the Center for Black Educator Development, our CEO, Chris Stewart, and Jay Artis-Wright of the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools. In each city, the discussion will focus on four key areas:

1. The Current State of Black Education – Grounding the discussion in factual data about the outputs and outcomes of the current system.
2. Our Successes – Highlighting resourcefulness and creativity within Black communities, despite the struggles, and using these successes as a foundation for future strategies.
3. Policy and Political Platforms – Analyzing what policies have helped in certain areas and how they can be applied more broadly. This will include considering what political platforms can unite the Black community in support of candidates for local offices, such as school boards and mayors.
4. Communal and Individual Agency – Exploring the resilience and creativity of the Black community in resisting predatory systems, while still striving to fix the larger educational landscape​

A New Chapter in an Ongoing Struggle

The New Niagara project carries forward the torch lit by W.E.B. Du Bois and his peers while aiming to refine and polish the lessons from the original Niagara Movement, ensuring that the next generation has a stronger, more effective educational foundation. In 50 years, the hope is that those who look back on this initiative will feel as inspired as we are by the visionaries of 1905.

By re-engaging with Niagara's historical significance, the New Niagara project is poised to spark a new wave of advocacy and change, creating a legacy that will continue to fight for the success of our people for generations to come.