Building Belonging Since Brown v. Board: Bringing Crowns Curriculum to the CAAASA Summit
By Brother Matin
Last week, Sister Nia and I had the honor of representing Kingmakers of Oakland at the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) Annual Summit, themed Equity and Education Since Brown v. Board of Education.
The summit created space for education leaders across California to reflect on a powerful question: What does equity actually look like in practice for Black students today?
Our answer was clear: equity must move beyond access alone and into identity, belonging, and purpose-driven learning. That is the work of the Crowns Curriculum.
From Policy Conversations to Classroom Transformation
At Kingmakers, we believe the legacy of Brown v. Board challenges us not only to open doors—but to redesign what students experience once they walk through them. During our session, Sister Nia and I facilitated a sample Crowns lesson titled: “I’m A King.”
The lesson invited participants to experience what thousands of young people across partner districts are already experiencing: a classroom space where Black boys are seen, affirmed, challenged, and positioned as leaders of their own lives and communities.
Participants engaged in reflection, dialogue, and identity-centered learning activities that demonstrate how culturally responsive instruction can:
strengthen belonging
deepen literacy engagement
increase student voice
build self-efficacy and purpose
and transform classroom culture
Again and again, district leaders told us the same thing: “Our students need this.”
Why Crowns Matters Right Now
Across California and the country, educators are searching for ways to close persistent opportunity gaps affecting Black boys. Too often, the response focuses narrowly on intervention instead of transformation. Crowns offers something different.
It is:
A–G approved
identity-centered
academically rigorous
culturally grounded
and designed to strengthen both engagement and achievement
Most importantly, Crowns helps schools address what we know from experience—and from research: Belonging is the foundation of learning. When young people understand who they are, where they come from, and what they are capable of becoming, everything changes.
Building Momentum Across Districts
The energy in the room at CAAASA confirmed something we already know: District leaders are ready for tools that move beyond conversation into implementation.
Crowns is one of those tools. We are grateful to the superintendents, principals, and equity leaders who spent time with us after the session to explore how Crowns can support their schools and systems. Their commitment reflects a growing statewide movement to ensure Black boys are not only supported—but celebrated and prepared to lead.
Join the Movement
If your school or district is ready to create classrooms where identity, belonging, and academic excellence grow together, we invite you to connect with us.
Together, we can continue the unfinished work of Brown v. Board—not just by opening doors, but by transforming what students experience inside them.