Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu authored more than 40 books, including the seminal “Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys” (Photo Credit: African American Images).
This article was originally published on Word In Black.
In late April, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu became an ancestor.
Our community was blessed with this social and educational justice warrior who dedicated his 71 years to the liberation and elevation of our beautiful Black children. I hope that he is proudly watching over us as our new ancestor, our champion — that he is confident in us as keepers of his sacred truths.
Dr. Kunjufu’s work shook the very foundations of educational systems that never intended for our children to thrive. Throughout his remarkable career, he authored more than 40 books, including the seminal “Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys,” “Restoring the Village,” and “Black Students: Middle Class Teachers.” Each of these provided deep analyses of racial inequities embedded in our education system and offered concrete solutions to close achievement gaps, affirm Black identity, and build stronger communities.
Speaking Truth, Challenging the System
We must speak truth when we talk about our beloved Jawanza Kunjufu. Brother Kunjufu understood what we as a community must internalize — that the system we navigate daily was never designed to ensure our children’s achievement or success.
Dr. Kunjufu stated that the conspiracy against our Black males is “fundamentally rooted in the need of a white minority to control the world’s far greater population of Black people and people of color.” This isn’t conjecture, but a painful fact backed by the recounting of generations of people, their memories, and lived experience.
He was a staunch advocate for Black children and visionary offering solutions.
His most powerful contribution, in my view, was identifying what he called the “fourth-grade failure syndrome” — the critical point when young boys’ natural curiosity and eagerness to learn begin to diminish.
Dr. Kunjufu wasn’t just a beacon of truth, pointing out problems. He was a staunch advocate for Black children and a visionary offering solutions. He understood, like I do, that even though schools may not have a direct impact on the lives of students outside the classroom, Dr. Kunjufu argued that they can do better with the time and resources they have during the school day to provide quality education and produce successful students. As an educator, I have been inspired by his willingness to speak truth to power and moved by how he challenged teachers about their responsibility to the children in their care.
School systems lack the culturally-affirming personnel and cultural understanding needed to educate Black males.
Dr. Kunjufu also placed significant responsibility in the hands of the parents. He told parents how important it is to start early preparing our children for school, emphasizing high expectations, and providing structured home environments where real learning can occur. Our responsibility begins at birth, not when they enter kindergarten.
Any person concerned with the needs of others must hold and fully understand his powerful message about why our children struggle: His central argument was that school systems lack the culturally-affirming personnel and cultural understanding needed to educate Black males. Their teachers don’t look like them, and the curriculum doesn’t celebrate their differences.
Unwavering Faith in the Black Community
If you never experienced one of Dr. Kunjufu’s lectures, you missed witnessing his passion, his brilliance, and the dynamic and emphatic way he delivered his messages. His work was holistic and addressed how to educate and heal the mind, body, spirit, and community.
“Our children don’t need charity, they need investment!” he often said.
Dr. Bahia (Cross) Overton with Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu in 2024. Photo courtesy Dr. Bahia (Cross) Overton.
As I reflect on and try to honor his legacy, we must remind ourselves of his unwavering faith in the power of the Black community. He once said, “We must restore the village mentality, it takes more than parents and teachers. It takes the entire community to raise a child to greatness.”
If you are not familiar with Dr. Kunjufu, please educate yourself and your family about his mission and his work. For those of us who loved and respected him, let us pick up his mantle, continue his fight, and ensure that our beautiful Black children not only survive but thrive with their brilliance, culture, and spirits intact.
Emancipation is our destiny, and our revolution begins at home, extends to our schools, and can transform our communities. Dr. Kunjufu showed us how. Now it’s on us to make it a reality.
Dr. Bahia (Cross) Overton holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in social work, and a Ph.D. in social work research, focusing on the experiences of African American female adolescents in foster care. Overton serves as executive director of the Black Parent Initiative, a community-based nonprofit organization. Its goal is to improve the lives of Portland’s African, African American, and multiethnic African American children by focusing on optimal health and mental health, cultural identity development, and parent education. The initiative ensures parents and caregivers have the resources to help their children thrive.
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