Providing Educational Opportunities for Black People
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 03/17/20
Anything with a solid foundation eventually flourishes. With the assistance of educators like Adiaratou Kaba, children are getting the solid foundation they need to become successful adults.
Adiaratou was born in Queens and grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Growing up, she struggled finding her identity. Although the shade of her skin and some experiences allowed her to blend in and connect with African Americans, there was a slight disconnect in their culture.
"I constantly wondered where I fell on the spectrum of blackness. Could I embrace the African American identity and my African identity? It was a constant tug of war between these two identities. "Adiaratou said.
She loved academics and busied herself with books. "The best thing that my dad did for me was put a book in my hands, "Adiaratou said.
The Guinean-American studied at a public high school. At 17 years old, Adiaratou decided to go away for college, a life experience that pushed her to be more motivated and self-reliant.
Though Adiaratou loved reading about black history, she noticed that part of the African narrative was left out. The curiosity she had towards finding the missing puzzle piece about the African narrative propelled her to focus her studies on sociology and black studies at SUNY New Paltz.
While she studied at a predominantly white college, sometimes her peers asked her questions to know if they were better or knew more than her.
She earned 2 scholarships during her undergrad and studied at a top university in South Africa (University of Cape Town) "to better understand the social and political challenges Black South Africans experienced during and after the apartheid," she explained. She lived where the late Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
In July 2018, before completing her undergraduate studies, she had a goal to be employed as soon as she interred the workforce. But she was intentional about it. She wanted a job that would put her in a position to help black communities.
After doing one interview and not getting called back, she was determined to learn ways to market herself to employers. She talked to mentors and watched YouTube. Fortunately, she picked up another opportunity, and was hired on the spot! She had no teaching experience, but she knew that if she were given an opportunity, she could implement the knowledge she gained in college.
"Teaching is an act of social justice," the educator said.
Her job is located in the area where she grew up in. She believes getting a position there was God's way of pushing her towards giving back to her community. She teaches at one of the top performing charter networks in New York (The Uncommon Schools). Their job is to ensure that they equip students with the information they need to perform well once they reach high school and college.
What does Adiaratou's day look like?
In the morning, she prays before leaving the house, and on her way to her job reads a book about post-colonial Africa, pre-colonial Africa, women studies, culture, or migration. Once she arrives at school, she spends a few minutes with other teachers in her grade to plan out the day's work. Throughout the day, they work on Math, social studies, performing arts, read aloud, character development, and building relationships.
On a daily basis, Adiaratou aims to help her students become critical thinkers. Whenever they find the solution to a problem, she asks them to explain why the answer is correct. When she wants her students to complete a writing assignment, she says to them "I want to see who has the neatest handwriting" and then gives out incentives (roll points).
Getting students to complete a task is "all about how you frame it," she said.
Also, she assigns a job to all her students so they can learn to be responsible and helpful at a young age (e.g., sharpening pencils, giving out markers).
Angelique Barreto, Adiararatou's friend of 3 years says, "We completed the same major in college and both are huge advocates for education equity."
"Adi is not afraid to stand as the voice for underrepresented communities. Her courage and desire to change and reformat oppressive systems within education is amazing. She can see opportunity in every aspect of her career and as a young professional, she is only just starting," Angelique added.
Adiaratou's success story proves that if you don't quit after not getting hired the first time, you can eventually land your dream job. As she climbed up the ladder of success, she always positioned herself to help people of color. At just 23 years old, she is a teacher and in her final year of graduate school (working towards a master’s in teaching). Her goal is to continue to empower and provide educational opportunities to students that look like her, who come from low income families, and be known as the woman who contributed to rewriting the narrative of Africa.
Welcome to Adiaratou's World
“Success is being able to persevere when 100 doors are being closed in your face, but you put in the time and energy to make sure that one day a door will open. ”
“I always want my students to feel like they can express who they are.”
“Teaching is a social justice.”
Adiaratou and one of her students
“A strong woman is not afraid to take a deeper look at herself and ask for help when deemed necessary. ”
Connect with Adiaratou
Facebook: Adiaratou Kaba
Instagram: @joliemusso_
Email: Adiaratouk02@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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