Black Intellectual Thought in Education -

Black Intellectual Thought in Education

Carl A. Grant, Keffrelyn D. Brown, and Anthony L. Brown

Black Intellectual Thought in Education explores the overlooked educational ideas and intellectual contributions of Anna Julia Cooper, Carter G. Woodson, and Alain Leroy Locke. Their work challenges us to reconsider whose knowledge is valued, whose history is taught, and how education can shape Black identity, achievement, and liberation.

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At a Glance

“Education was the key for black freedom.”

Why This Book Matters

Black Fortunes matters because it restores a hidden chapter of American history—one where formerly enslaved African Americans not only survived freedom, but built wealth, businesses, and generational legacies against extraordinary odds.

These stories challenge the narrative that Black economic success is new or rare. Instead, they reveal a long tradition of entrepreneurship, land ownership, and strategic vision that has often been erased or overlooked.

This book reframes what Black success looks like—and who gets remembered for it.

Key Themes

Black intellectual traditions
Education as a pathway to freedom
Knowledge and racial uplift
Democracy and citizenship
Race and education
Curriculum and whose knowledge counts
Cultural knowledge and identity
Black scholar-activists
Resistance and liberation
Reimagining the educational canon

What You'll Learn

Black Fortunes offers more than historical biographies—it provides lessons in leadership, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the importance of preserving overlooked stories. Readers will leave with a deeper understanding of how Black Americans shaped the nation’s economic history despite extraordinary obstacles.

Reflection Questions

Whose ideas shaped your understanding of education—and whose ideas were missing?
What did you learn about Black history and Black intellectual thought in school? What was left out?
Do you see education primarily as preparation for work, or as a pathway to freedom and self-determination?
What happens when an educational system consistently excludes the intellectual contributions of an entire community?
How might learning the ideas of Cooper, Woodson, and Locke change the way we think about today’s educational challenges?
What knowledge has been passed down in your family or community that may not appear in traditional textbooks?
What would an education system centered on knowledge, dignity, freedom, and Black excellence look like today?

About the Author

Carl A. Grant is Hoefs-Bascom Professor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Keffrelyn D. Brown is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, and Anthony L. Brown is Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin. Together, their scholarship examines race, education, curriculum, teacher education, and the experiences and intellectual traditions of Black communities. Their work brings historically marginalized Black scholars and intellectual traditions into conversations about education and critical theory.

About the Author

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Every book featured by They Erase, We Elevate has been carefully selected to preserve history, amplify overlooked voices, and inspire meaningful conversations. Continue exploring books that educate, empower, and celebrate the richness of Black history and culture.