Black Montessori 
Education Fund

Making Montessori more accessible for the Black community.

Invest in equitable access to holistic education

Montessori education was born in the margins—not in privilege. Over 110 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed her revolutionary method working with children in the slums of Italy. Her goal was liberation and equity—not elitism. Yet today, Montessori in the U.S. is too often associated with whiteness, wealth, and exclusivity.

The numbers tell the story: only about 6% of Montessori students in the U.S. are Black, and fewer than 1 in 10 Montessori teachers identify as Black. These disparities are not accidental—they reflect systemic inequities and financial barriers that exclude Black children, families, and educators from Montessori programs.

We are committed to reclaiming Montessori’s justice-centered roots. We actively remove financial and institutional barriers by providing funding, community, professional development opportunities, and a strong network of support for Black educators, children, families, and pioneers in Montessori.

Increase diversity and inclusion in Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that education was the pathway to peace—and that peace required justice. Montessori education, therefore, cannot fully serve its mission of peace and human development without intentional diversity and inclusion.

When Black children and educators are excluded or underrepresented, the entire learning environment suffers. Representation matters—not just for equity, but for the quality and integrity of Montessori education itself.

We are reclaiming Montessori’s radical roots. We support Black teachers, leaders, students, and researchers through scholarships and program funding to ensure that Montessori education is not just inclusive in theory—but liberatory in practice.

Click the button below to learn more and see our current opportunities.

Donate today to help us create a more equitable future for Black educators, children, and families

3% Cover the Fee

Hear from our recipients

Some of Our Sponsors  

“We are against the artificial programs that make man a slave…The child, a free human being, must teach us and teach society order, calm, discipline, and harmony. When we help them, love blossoms, too. The love of which we have great need to bring humans together and create a happy life.”

- Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace

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