Public education is at the very heart of what makes our nation special: the ability to learn, grow, and pursue your dreams no matter your race, place, or income. Our schools can and should be welcoming environments for immigrant students and families, including African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latino students.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) concluded Black History Month by convening community leaders, educators, and young people for “Leap of Faith: A Roundtable with Black Immigrant Community Leaders.” The program was co-hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans; the Office of English Language Acquisition; and the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

This event focused on the unique accomplishments, challenges, and ongoing needs of Black immigrant students in PK-12 schools and universities and featured remarks by Assistant Secretary Roberto Rodríguez, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development; and Dr. Kortne Edogun-Ticey, Deputy Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

Panelists highlighted the immense diversity within the Black immigrant community; the need for increased language access for students and families; the central role that many young Black immigrants play in navigating new challenges on behalf of loved ones; and the unique social and economic pressures many young people experience that can lead to feelings of disconnection from their peers. Speakers also emphasized the role of teachers, school counselors, and outside mentors in fostering their ambitions toward higher education and career pathways.

We invite educators to understand the challenges that immigrant students face while seeing the diversity of their cultural, academic, and social experiences as incredible assets. The following Department resources are available to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive:

Resources Available Through the Office for Civil Rights:

• Fact Sheet: Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School
• Fact Sheet: Ensuring Meaningful Participation in Advanced Coursework and Specialized Programs for Students Who Are English Learners
• Resource for Families and Educators: Confronting Discrimination Based on National and Immigration Status

Resources Available Through the Office for English Language Acquisition:

• The Newcomer Toolkit is designed to help U.S. educators; elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and other school staff who work directly with immigrant students—including asylees and refugees—and their families.
• The English Learner Family Toolkit was created to help families choose education services that meet their child’s needs. U.S. educators, elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and other school staff can also share the toolkit as a resource for English learners and their families.

For additional information about this convening and our commitments to fostering inclusive learning environments for all students, please contact EDPartners@ed.gov.