Nothing But Education December 2024 Newsletter

Dec 16

The Vision from our CEO:

As a Woman-owned organization, our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative educational solutions that empower learners of all ages to reach their full potential and succeed in a rapidly evolving world.

Dear Educational Community,

During this time of year, I am often reminded of why I am so thankful. Wonderful family, friends and my natural love and desire for humanity and the good outcomes that are displayed when people really care about others.

As change comes to us in many different ways, we must ready ourselves to embrace our next steps and fully commit to and push for what is most important, for not only our future, but the future of those who will come with us and behind us.

And because we continually work with intent to elevate and lift others, let’s remember to also lift and acknowledge ourselves. Remember to value our efforts and to take time to relax and put our feet in the sand, and to be grateful for our contributions to family, friends, community, businesses, schools and districts.

Please enjoy this newsletter and know it’s our attempt to reach a community of individuals who do the work, day by day, and moment by moment, to change the lives of students.

As we embrace this holiday season, I want to wish you happy holidays, much joy and peace.

Thank you for being part of our community—we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Jennifer Taylor Boykins

CEO, Nothing But Education

Clayton County Schools Partners with Nothing But Education to Empower Students Aging Out of Foster Care

Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is thrilled to announce an inspiring partnership with Nothing But Education, marking a transformative step toward empowering students aging out of Foster Care. This collaboration will provide scholarships that help these remarkable young individuals pursue their educational and career goals, building brighter futures.

Located in the south, Clayton County is a thriving urban school district renowned for its educational excellence, diversity, and deep-rooted community engagement. Led by a visionary administrator who prioritizes innovation and collaboration, the district serves as a model for how intentional investment and community partnerships can create transformative opportunities for all students.

Together, CCPS and Nothing But Education, through its nonprofit arm BraveHeart Leaders, will make a lasting impact by awarding 10 scholarships in 2025 to deserving CCPS graduating students.

These scholarships will directly support students as they gain independence, equipping them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in higher education, vocational training and the workforce.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by students aging out of foster care and ensuring they have the support needed to thrive. Through this collaboration, we strive to:

Alleviate financial barriers to higher education or vocational training.
Encourage and support students in achieving their aspirations.
Foster a sense of belonging and hope for a successful future.

CCPS is proud to join forces with Nothing But Education on this initiative, underscoring the district’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every student has the chance to succeed.

Why Schools Need Black History 365: A Call to Action in Today's Political Climate

In today’s increasingly polarized political climate, education has become a battleground for debates over how history is taught and whose stories are told. Many schools and districts face pressure to dilute or erase critical conversations about race, identity, and systemic inequities. In this context, adopting a comprehensive curriculum like Black History 365 (BH365) is not just an act of academic rigor—it’s an essential step toward equity, truth, and healing in our schools.

For too long, Black history has been relegated to a single month or limited to oversimplified narratives of slavery and civil rights. This narrow scope marginalizes the vast and rich contributions of Black individuals throughout history and around the world. BH365 challenges this status quo by offering a year-round, interdisciplinary curriculum that examines Black history from ancient civilizations to contemporary times.

BH365 is designed to go beyond surface-level teaching. Its content includes a wide range of voices, from historical figures to lesser-known trailblazers, and covers critical topics such as the African diaspora, systemic racism, and cultural contributions. By doing so, BH365 helps students build a more accurate and inclusive understanding of history, fostering empathy and critical thinking—skills that are indispensable in today’s diverse world.

The current political climate underscores the urgent need for BH365. In several states, educational policies are restricting discussions around race and racism, often under the guise of banning so-called "divisive concepts." These restrictions threaten to erase vital parts of our collective history, leaving students with an incomplete and biased narrative. Without access to comprehensive resources like BH365, educators risk perpetuating ignorance and inequality.

BH365 equips schools with the tools to navigate these challenges effectively. Its curriculum is aligned with state standards, adaptable to diverse classrooms, and built on sound pedagogy, making it both practical and defensible in contentious environments. Moreover, it empowers educators with professional development and resources to engage students in meaningful, fact-based discussions about history and identity.

Adopting BH365 is not just about teaching Black history—it’s about transforming the educational experience for all students. Research consistently shows that inclusive curricula improve academic outcomes, foster a sense of belonging, and prepare students for a global society. For Black students, seeing their history and culture reflected in the classroom can be profoundly validating and empowering. For non-Black students, learning this history fosters greater understanding, reducing prejudice and promoting unity.

Furthermore, implementing BH365 sends a powerful message to the community. It demonstrates that the school is committed to truth, equity, and the holistic development of its students. In a time when public trust in education is under scrutiny, this commitment can strengthen relationships with families and stakeholders.

A Call to Action

The time for action is now. Schools must rise above the noise of political debates and prioritize what is best for students. Black History 365 is not just a curriculum—it’s a movement to reclaim the integrity of education and ensure that every student has access to the full story of who we are.

By adopting BH365, schools can equip the next generation with the knowledge, empathy, and critical thinking skills they need to shape a more just and equitable future. Let’s lead with courage and make Black history a cornerstone of education every day of the year.

Dr. Walter Milton, Jr.
Founder, CEO & Coauthor

How Nothing But Education Can Support You

Strategic Planning: NBE collaborates with educational leaders to develop strategic plans tailored to their specific goals and objectives. These plans include initiatives to improve student outcomes, enhance educational experiences, and address systemic challenges.

Thoughtful Purchasing: NBE works alongside schools districts to ensure they receive the greatest value in their purchasing decisions. This involves evaluating the effectiveness, relevance, and appropriateness of various options available in the market.

Collaborative Partnerships: NBE serves as a strategic thought partner, working closely with educational leaders and organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and innovation. By fostering partnerships and sharing best practices, NBE helps drive positive change and improvement within the education sector.

Transformational Initiatives: NBE assists educational organizations in implementing sustainable transformation initiatives designed to improve student learning outcomes, enhance teaching practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This involves innovative professional development, coaching, and support to educators and administrators.

Equity and Inclusion: NBE prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its approach to supporting educational organizations. This includes offering resources, training, and guidance on creating inclusive learning environments that honor the diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all students and educators.

Leadership Training: NBE supports the leadership pipeline within school districts by providing specific leadership training for assistant principals desiring to become principals. The coaches include sitting district leaders and superintendents with a proven track record of making a positive impact on organizational leadership and student achievement.

Staff Profile Highlight

Dr. Quantina Haggwood

Dr. Quantina Haggwood is a consultant, coach, and strategist with over 25 years of education and leadership experience. She began her career as a middle school math teacher, earning distinctions such as school Teacher of the Year and finalist for district Teacher of the Year. Dr. Haggwood has also served as an elementary and a middle school principal. Under her leadership, the middle school exited state improvement status and earned Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for student achievement.

Dr. Haggwood resides in Columbia, SC with her husband, William, with whom she shares three children. She is an avid Boston Celtics and Pittsburg Steelers fan. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and attending basketball games with her husband.

AI in the Classroom

Oftentimes we ask ourselves, are automatons going to put me out of work? Never stopping to ask the real question, how can new age technology enhance my purpose? I’ve been fascinated with the latter and have decided to leap forward into the “artificial intelligence” unknown instead of hiding from the impending fate which is we ALL will be working side-by-side with A.I. in the not so distant future.

Therefore, this past October, I took the courage to partner myself with Nothing But Education to unearth, showcase, and take the necessary steps to infuse artificial intelligence into the instructional practices for Chicago Public Schools’ Network 16 educators and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) leaders.

Here, we were able to have a frank discussion about the anxiety pertaining to A.I., some of the current uses of A.I., and how we (all) can make our lives easier by utilizing A.I. Thus, Yourway provided our school teams with the tool that I believe will revolutionize the field of education for the better.

Maximilian A. Cole,
Special Education Administrator
Chicago Public Schools

Equity is Literacy: Impact on Youth Through Social Responsibility

Although Nothing But Education (NBE) is a small, yet mighty women owned business, it is within our DNA to always uplift others. We believe that through social responsibility we can strengthen communities, foster personal growth in young adults while instilling a sense of purpose and fulfillment. NBE has a philanthropic arm called BraveHeart Leaders. The BraveHeart Leaders organization provides financial support for students who are aging out of the foster care system.

We invite you to meet our first scholarship recipient, Travon Robertson, through his own voice…

My name is Travon Robertson and I'm from Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m 18 years old and love to draw and read books (manga which is Japanese style comics). My life goal is to become a manga illustrator and the requirement for that, is to know Japanese. After looking at many schools, I decided on Communica Institute for my language studies because of how diverse it is. I’m currently meeting people from other parts of the world while all having a common goal of learning Japanese. The school session is 6 months to 2 years.

I want to thank Methodist Homes for Children & BraveHeart Leaders in helping me make this a possibility. I also want to thank MHFC for helping my brother (my guardian) ease the stress of supporting me while in Japan. We needed help and others answered and I’m truly grateful for that.

Methodist Home for Children offers a scholarship program to individuals who have been in their service, regardless of age or the length of time they were in care. MHFC is able to provide continued support through their scholarship fund and partnerships like Nothing But Education.

We are inspired by you Travon, and wish you much success!

Rick Williams