THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE

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Education

Education has always been at the core of The HistoryMakers mission and vision. Through combining the power of storytelling and traditional oral history with state of the art technological innovation, The HistoryMakers has positioned itself as a unique resource for education at all levels: K12, Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning.

To this end, The HistoryMakers has developed a suite of educational programming and materials, as well as a unique learning tool in The HistoryMakers Digital Archives that can engage people of all ages and backgrounds, and connect their own experiences with those of the HistoryMaker they are watching or studying. In this way, The HistoryMakers is able to both aid in identity formation for youth, but also to push our nation towards becoming a more culturally equitable society, where all people’s histories are equally celebrated, and where students from all demographics can find relevant career models and pathways to success.

The HistoryMakers Digital Archive has been proven a powerful tool in ensuring the improvement of U.S. education, and in driving the education landscape to change. It is a truly innovative resource, and as more interviews are added, its depth and scope only continues to grow, making it an increasingly invaluable asset to teachers and students alike. As an educational tool aligned with Common Core standards, The HistoryMakers Digital Archive supports the current trends in education, but also engages students in a unique way. Students who use the Digital Archive feel differently about learning, and even about school. 

New Curriculum Units
In this new digital age, it is important that education materials adapt to the times and constantly develop new methods of interaction and engagement that will continue to be relevant and that can be made widely accessible. New York Life provided a major grant to The HistoryMakers to develop curriculum based on the Digital Archives. The new curriculum emphasizes social emotional development as well as academic skills.

Higher Education

We partner with Higher Education institutions to create impactful programs using our Digital Archive.

  • Curricula & lesson plans for University students
  • Fellowship programs
  • Student Brand Ambassadors
  • Digital Humanities Programs

K-12

Younger students can also benefit from the vast resources of the Digital Archive. We work with educators to create childhood education materials.

  • Curricula & lesson plans for K-12 students
  • Back to School with The HistoryMakers
  • Contests
  • Examples of classroom programs

Institutions

Our mission goes beyond educational institutions and public libraries are excellent partners for programs using our content.

  • University Libraries
  • Public Libraries 
  • Examples of public library programs
zoomed in landscape image of kids in class with one kid smiling and raising his hand

Building Community

The HistoryMakers seeks to foster an engaged learning community of educators, and encourages the submission of examples of the uses of The HistoryMakers Digital Archive and curriculum materials in the classroom. Over time, it is our hope that this learning community will grow organically to help The HistoryMakers in:

  • Fostering a social network which encourages the sharing of resources and helpful information.
  • Modeling and piloting modes of interaction with teachers and faculty, in order to foster broader engagement with The HistoryMakers content.

Submit your examples of integrating The HistoryMakers Digital Archive and help build our community.