Pulitzer Prize winner and Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones has announced an after school program for 4th and 5th graders that will teach Black American history and Critical Race Theory, according to KWWL. The program is called “1619 Freedom School” which refers to Hannah-Jones’ 1619 Project. The mission of the project will be to increase literacy skills in Black Waterloo children utilizing resources from the University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community College. Critical Race Theory has been banned from being taught within schools. The program is set to open this Fall and will have community members and Waterloo Public Schools teachers creating and teaching the curriculum. It will be housed in the Masonic Temple in downtown Waterloo and possibly another location. They are looking for more educators at this time. If you are interested in enrolling your children or teaching the curriculum, you are asked to email [email protected].
