Engineering Racial Literacy at McNair Academic High School

In June 2020,  a social media post went viral exposing racialized bullying at McNair Academic High School in Jersey City, NJ. This school is known for its academic excellence and has often been a springboard out of poverty for many financially disadvantaged students in the city. The McNair Academic Black Alumnae Association (MABAA) formed to introduce student-facing advocacy, support for teachers, and institutional accountability. After much research, we have identified that there is a lack of appropriate resources allocated to anti-bullying support at the school.  

We tapped into our individual networks and found an organization, The Lion’s Story, that “prepares individuals and organizations to navigate and resolve racially charged situations using research-based strategies” in a stress-free manner. The funds raised will be used to sponsor an administrator, teacher, and student from McNair, as well as a member of MABAA to attend the Racial Literacy Institute in hopes of creating sustainable change at the school. By donating to this fund, you have the ability to champion transformation in the school’s culture and preserve the legacy of academic excellence for all students.