Black History is Our History

Sherman Turntine, Senior Copy Editor

Describe the importance of promoting inclusivity and representation in the classroom.

Representation matters in the classroom and in everyday life. Believing is seeing. If you see someone like you succeed, it gives you the confidence to succeed and reach your own goals.

YaQwasia Clerveau, Customer Engagement Marketing Manager

Describe a Black person who has impacted your journey as a Black American.

The writing of James Baldwin introduced me to the breadth of the Black experience in America. As an important voice of the Civil Rights movement, I draw inspiration from his eloquent and passionate body of work.

LaNice Powell, Software Engineer

Describe a Black person who has impacted your journey as a Black American.

My mother is multifaceted: a builder, educator, performer, public speaker, and artist. She inspires and motivates me by giving infinite support.  

Kibby Araya, Editorial Production Lead, Social Studies

Tell us what motivates you/why you do what you do at Newsela. 

I'm motivated to help students better understand their surroundings through news stories specially recreated for them to promote knowledge and literacy. As a news editor and reporter with a focus on hard news, I'm able to see stories now in a different light and make sure students connect current events with their social studies lessons.

Shateshia Richards, Content Partnerships Associate

Describe the importance of promoting inclusivity and representation in the classroom. 

We have always heard that “seeing is believing” and that statement remains to be true. Students being able to see and hear themselves reflected in staff and content has the power to change lives. It opens the realm of possibilities and encourages discovery. 

Taylor Stokes, Sr. Professional Learning Operations Manager

Describe the importance of promoting inclusivity and representation in the classroom. 

It is important to have inclusivity and representation in the classroom because it increases student motivation. As a student, whenever I learned about culturally-relevant topics, I was more likely to be excited and engaged, because it felt familiar and comfortable. And although I didn’t have many, whenever I had a teacher who looked like me it was inspiring because it modeled success and the opportunity for me to see that in my future.

Jocelyn Benitez, Customer Support Representative

Describe a Black person who has impacted your journey as a Black American.

I've been blessed in that my entire K-12 experience I've had Black teachers who have inspired, motivated and encouraged me in every way. They not only taught me in the classroom but in life as well and have provided guidance and support when I needed it most.

Q Hawkins, DEIB Program Manager

Tell us what motivates you/why you do what you do at Newsela.

I've been with Newsela for the past five years and during the first three years of my career here, I was focused on hiring some of the most emotionally intelligent people that I've ever come across. What motivated me to become more involved in DEIB and ultimately make a career change was because I wanted to make sure that Newselas' policies, practices, and overall culture valued and created a place that those folks felt that they belong so that we can keep them. My colleagues motivate me to do what I do at Newsela.