Michael P. Farris, Esq.
Chairman &
General Counsel

Helping the Community

Volume 46, Program 15 7/18/2003

Black homeschoolers will likely deal with issues foreign to the homeschooling community as a whole. Eric Burges, co-founder of the National Black Home Educators Resource Association, joins Mike Smith to talk about this on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
Eric, it seems like there may be some specific issues making it more difficult for black families to homeschool. Is that true?


Joyce Burges:
Yes, sir, I'd like to speak about two of them. One of them would be the situation that some of the legislators that have the opportunity to stand on our side tend not to do so, because of the fact that they're trying to keep the public school system alive, and therefore as you have black families that come out of it, they tend to get a lot of opposition from some of the people that are in the political realm. Then also, we have the single-parent families that find it very difficult because they have to function as breadwinners as well as homeschool parents.


Mike:
What can the homeschooling movement in America do to assist African-American homeschoolers?


Joyce:
Well the first thing is, is that they can just greet these new homeschoolers with open arms. And then also they can help support our organization so that we can get the word out on home education, because I guess that's another facet: there's so many black families out there that don't know that home education is a viable means of education for their household.


Mike:
Well, Eric, thank you so much for sharing with us and starting the National Black Home Educators Resource Association. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.

The growth of homeschooling among African-American families is incredible, and if you'd like more information you can call us toll-free at (866) 338-8614. That's (866) 338-8614.