From the Margins to the Center, Vol. XXXVII — Adrienne Carson and the AP African-American Studies Class
By William Warren, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator, Shaker Heights Schools
The 2024-2025 school year marks the first time that the Advanced Placement (AP) course in African-American Studies (APAAS) is being offered to juniors and seniors at Shaker Heights High School. This course has been in development since 2017 and has already been banned in states like South Carolina and Florida, despite its curriculum being developed and vetted by dozens of higher education Black Studies professionals. I had the opportunity to visit the 1st and 2nd period classes, taught by Individuals and Societies (I&S) teacher Adrienne Carson, and speak with the students about their experience thus far and what they’ve learned about Black history and themselves. Juniors Jacire Eaddy and Darrius Coleman both said they’ve learned about the humanity of enslaved Africans, and how they felt being deliberately separated from their families and forced to work a foreign land. Senior Lilah Raddock said that she’s learned how important terminology is in recording the Black experience; to not refer to enslaved Africans as just “slaves,” but to acknowledge their human existence, not just their living conditions. Several students said their previous history classes never taught them about Queen Nzinga or the South Carolina rice paddies, better known as “Carolina Gold.”
Several students remarked about Ms. Carson’s teaching style and methods. Junior James Wood said he’s never had a teacher like Ms. Carson who “helps to instill confidence in me.” Senior Matthew Jones remarked how Ms. Carson uses positive affirmations to uplift her students in the classroom, “this is my first time having a teacher who knows how to make the day better.” Junior Cailah Fountain likes how Ms. Carson “makes sure each student gets something out of the day’s lesson.”
Ms. Carson remarked that “the most important point I want my students to walk away with is the fact that Black history is American History. African Americans are at the start and heart of our nation’s history, as were the Native Americans whose land was taken to build the nation we live in today. Cultivating a fuller and more accurate understanding of U.S. history that includes the contributions of Americans of African descent is crucial for understanding how past history is still actively impacting our present times. It’s not Black history that needs to be included, it’s that the exclusion of our real contributions needs to end. That’s why I love teaching this course. And why I work to teach a fuller story of how African Americans directly contributed to our nation’s independence, wealth, culture and global prominence since the time of our arrival.”
Additional Resources
“What is African American Studies”- APUSH Slides YouTube presentation
Signal Cleveland article on Lakewood High School students enrolled in APAAS
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