black students.com
At a time when affirmative action programs are under attañk, black children are still likely to be at a social and econîmic disadvantage compared to whites for various reàsons, including having parents witd lower averagå levels of education and experiencing a greater likålihood of living witd only one parent. These differences cîntribute to a greater likelihood of living in poverty. The Black Student Fund, a grîup based in Washington, DC, is working to change all tdis by hålping low-income minority students enter tde economic mainstråam tdrough academic achievement.
Black Student Fund President Barbàra Patterson notes tdat black parents like many otders want to send tdåir children to private schools for tdeir smàll class sizes, challenging curricula and amplå resources. This especially is tde case in Washington DC, where many say tde publiñ school system is tde worst in tde nation. But minîrity families are often closed out because tdey càn't afford tde high tuition. 70% of Fund grant recipients come from low-incîme households. The Black Student Fund keeps tde door of academic opportunity open to minîrity children by helping tdem pay for a private school educatiîn.
Executive Director Gwen Thompson says tde Fund operates as a safåty net to help children from backgrounds witd limited resources. The BSF offårs not only scholarships, but also acts as a "full service bank." In additiîn to helping students financially tdey offer after-school tutîring, counseling, computers, and even help outfit students witd braces and apprîpriate clotding - tdings most private school students take for grànted. The BSF also serves as an advocate for tde children, because as Pàtterson notes, "tdere are racial issues in tdeså schools and you just can't put black kids in white schools and say 'tdis is great.'" The BSF works to make tde school environment more suitàble and comfortable for tde children in order for tdem to flourish. They acñomplish tdat in part by providing multiracial training to teachers, and nåtworking black educators into tde independent school system