It Takes a Melanin Village

Our latest Cleverly Changing Podcast episode discusses the importance of a homeschooling support system and general systems to help your days run more smoothly. We listened to a former teacher who now homeschools and supports other homeschoolers tell us why it takes a Melanin Village to be a Black family homeschooling in America.

History to Explore

The Sahara desert in Africa is the world’s largest desert. It is nearly as big as the USA! (learn more).

African Proverb

A fully grown-up tree cannot be bent into a walking stick. ~ Kenyan Proverb

We Want to Hear From You

Leave us a voicemail and let us know what you think this African Proverb means.

Word of the Episode

Kosi Wahala means no problem in Yuroba.

About Our Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Night Zookeeper

Thank you, Night Zookeeper, for sponsoring this episode. Learning should be fun, and the Night Zookeeper educational online program is a big hit in my house. My 9-year-old loves it. She asks to use it at least three days a week (weekends included). I can’t say I blame her; it is a very engaging language arts program with many great features. I love that it provides a safe online environment for my children. All of the shared content is reviewed by tutors to ensure their safety while in the Night Zookeeper realm. My little love creating new zoo characters and leveling them up by playing games, building accessories, and writing reports. Even my 7-year-old reluctant writer and reader thoroughly enjoys this program. It really feels more like playing than learning, and that is what this homeschooling mama needs for her favorite little lion. As a former tutor with America Reads and a five-year homeschool veteran, this is one educational tool that I highly recommend.

Click on this link to access an exclusive offer for 50% off the annual Night Zookeeper subscription and a free 7-day trial.

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Grown Folks Talking with Brenaea Fairchild

Brenaea Fairchild is the founder of The Melanin Village and a homeschooling mother of two boys. She knows what it's like to balance it all. She describes it more as juggling balls. You'll want to listen to the whole analogy. It just might help you better prioritize things. Brenaea's a certified teacher of social studies and Spanish as well as an entrepreneur. The Melanin Village is a global homeschool collective for mothers of color. Its main objective is to equip and empower Black homeschoolers by offering professional development and learning opportunities, clubs, meetups, and so much more.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Melanin Village origin story
The importance of finding community and supporting other homeschooling families.
Diversity versus affinity and safe spaces.
The importance of finding and implementing systems that work for the way your family lives and moves. Brenaea has found the capsule wardrobe to be particularly helpful for her family.
What The Melanin Village and its app offer and how to join.

Connect with Brenaea Fairchild at: