Black Minds Matter: Building Bright Black Futures

Abstract

A decade ago, EdTrust-West created the Black Minds Matter campaign to serve as a rallying point for engagement, discussion, and action to dismantle structural racism in California's schools and colleges. Now the Black Minds Matter 2025 report highlights how the state has failed to dedicate adequate leadership and resources to provide the high-quality education Black Californians deserve. A full 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education (1954), it is far past time for leaders and institutions to choose a different path. In the face of national leadership that openly opposes the pursuit of racial justice and aims to dismantle public education, courageous action by the state on behalf of Black students and families is needed now more than ever. Data is a powerful tool that enables understanding of the stubborn persistence of inequities baked into educational systems and project what children's futures might look like depending on the choices the state and society make today. The simple fact is if schools continue neglecting Black students and families, it will take at least until 2089 for all Black students to reach grade-level standards in math and at least until 2070 for the same in reading. The hundreds of thousands of Black students served by public schools, colleges, and universities deserve better than settling for the glacial progress that is the status quo. In Black Minds Matter 2025, the authors lay out data on disparities over the past decade, document the current state of education for Black Californians, and imagine an alternative future where policymakers and education leaders are willing to take bold action to build robust, joyful, loving schools and systems for Black students. Following is a summary of EdTrust-West's findings and recommendations, divided between transitional kindergarten through 12th grade (TK-12) and college access and success.