The ‘Teaching Our Own History Task Force’ poised to write its own story

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”  -Malcolm X

Under the auspices of the Social Justice Ministry of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., The Teaching Our Own History Task Force has been duly authorized to develop an authentic compendium of African American history for Florida’s students. The Task Force has been organized in response to the distorted and inaccurate curriculum presented by the Florida Department of Education.

Speaking at a major announcement at the Florida General Baptist Convention’s Congress of Christian Education Meeting in Orlando, Fl., President Carl Johnson pledged the full support of the convention and its constituent membership in the work of the task force, chaired by Dr. RB Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee and the Convention’s Director of its Social Justice Ministry.  

Chairman, Rev. Dr.  RB Holmes presented the goal of the task force: To prepare, publish and present an authentic, accurate and factual model that teaches African American history, culture, experiences and substantial contributions of African Americans in the state of Florida’s K-12 curriculum and other educational venues.  Reverend Holmes further stated “American history is African American History!”

Subsequently, the Task Force held its first organizational meeting via Zoom Aug. 31, 2023. At this meeting, Chairman Holmes outlined the task force’s objectives, committee assignments, timeline and meeting dates.

The Task Force objectives are as follows:

1. To encourage the accurate and unbiased teaching of African American history, culture, experiences and invaluable contributions in the state of Florida and this nation 
2. To develop strategies and solutions to support and strengthen public education in marginalized communities
3. To develop and adequately support 40 Freedom Academies across the state of Florida 
4. To create significant after school programs for students in Title One schools in marginalized communities across the state of Florida, using an age appropriate African American History Curriculum to strengthen reading, writing and mathematics skills
5. To create summer “Freedom Schools” to teach youth the importance of African Americans contributions, self-respect, personal responsibility, and African American contributions
6. To empower and encourage the three private HBCUs in Florida to develop laboratory schools on their respective campuses by 2025 
7. To cultivate and create partnerships with foundations, businesses and philanthropists to support programs and events that consistently celebrate the contributions of African American history, culture, literature, faith and heritage

The Sub-Committee Chairpersons are as follows:

The Curriculum Committee – Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey, Chair 

The Resource and Research Community – Dr. James Wright, Chair

The Establishment of Freedom Schools across the state of Florida by 2025 

 Dr. Isaac Williams, Chair; Pastor Marcus McCoy, Co-Chair 

The Establishment of Private Academies at Edward Waters University, Bethune-Cookman University and Florida Memorial University – Ms. Valerie Scoon, Chair

The Black Press Committee – Ms. Taralisha Sanders, Chair

The task force plans to adhere to the following time line and meeting dates:

September 20, 2023

October 30, 2023

November 13, 2023

December 4, 2023

December, 2023* – Status report to winter board of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc. 

January 29, 2024

February 26-27, 2024 Press Conference and the Presentation of “Teaching Our Own History,” to the Governor and Commissioner of Education, and the announcement of the 40 academics and MOU with  the three Florida’s HBCUs to establish laboratory schools on their respective campuses. 

Perspectives: 

The following task force members offered their perspectives on the critical work ahead for the task force:

Perspective from Rev. Dr.  Johnny Turner

“The Governor of the State of Florida aims to remove our history from the Florida State Educational Curriculum. As a member of The Task Force, our Initiative is inherently significant to defend our rich history as African Americans. During slavery, our forefathers and mothers did not benefit from slavery, but utilized their skills meaningfully. We aim to maintain our history for generations to come.”

Perspective from Rev. Dr.  Brett Snowden

“The Task Force was established to right the wrong of the Commissioner of Education and governor as it relates to their shallow and narrow view of history. The story of American history cannot be told without the inclusion of Black history accurately recorded. It is imperative that our children know and embrace the truth of our struggle and be encouraged and inspired to soar like eagles.” 

Perspective from Dr. Larry E. Rivers

“In today’s society, a well-conceptualized and comprehensive curriculum should be developed that focuses on the African American experience as central to an understanding of the total American experience, especially the constant search for freedom, justice and equality in American society.  Central to this curriculum, a problem-solving approach should be included to study the crucial problems that have faced and continue to face not just black Americans, but all Americans. And this problem-solving approach will attempt to move students beyond simple recall, drill, and recitation of information to higher levels of critical thinking, such as extrapolation, application, and interpretation to name a few. This concept will also serve to help students become independent thinkers capable of making their own decisions in an ever-changing highly technological society.”

Perspective from Reverend Dr.  James Wright, II

“The task force is needed to provide and accurate and unbiased opinion about African American history in Florida. The task force is created to create a culture of honesty and integrity about the Black diaspora. We hope to create a curriculum that can be taught from K-12 for all children.