The history of Black education in North Carolina and the nation is complex, marked by an arduous struggle. From laws and customs that forbade enslaved people to learn, to a system of Jim Crow segregation in which Black schools were under-resourced, and finally court-ordered desegregation that often sent Black students to unfamiliar spaces, there have been countless legal and lawless moves to limit access to education for Black people. Yet, despite the restrictions and inequities faced, the value placed upon education by Black people across time is clear. From the connections between education, emancipation, and civil rights - to the agency, enterprise, and leadership shown in creating their own educational opportunities - Black communities have never relinquished the ongoing fight for educational access and equity. It is a story of resilience, resistance and hope; a story that all students should learn and one that all students can be inspired by.

The lessons and activities contained in this guide explore the educational barriers Black North Carolinians have faced throughout history, while also elevating the ways in which they tackled such barriers to form their own opportunities for learning, sometimes with white allies, and often completely on their own. The span of history this guide supplements is vast and includes the period of enslavement, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow Era, and desegregation. There are also many entry points for connecting how this history impacts our world today. With such a wide span of time covered, this guide cannot be entirely comprehensive. There are countless Black education leaders, numerous historically Black schools, and endless stories of resistance and resilience all around the state of North Carolina. It is impossible to include every aspect of a history so rich and deep in one resource guide. Thus, this document should be considered simply a place to begin your long and curious journey into the history of Black education in North Carolina.