Black Montessori Education FundInvesting in Montessori as a tool for systems change
The Education Our Children Deserve
Too many Black children are being failed by a public education system built on an outdated model, one that stretches teachers thin, under-resources classrooms, and asks children to sit still and absorb information rather than engage with it. These conditions shape what happens to children every day, from how they are disciplined and labeled to how much opportunity they are given to learn, and the effects follow them well beyond the classroom. Addressing this takes work at the level of the system, so that what public education offers underserved communities changes for every child, and not only for the families who find a way out.
Montessori education was built for exactly this kind of work. More than a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed her method with children in Rome whom the existing school system had overlooked. She believed that education was the pathway to peace and that peace required justice, and a method created with and for children failed by systems that did not see them belongs in the communities those systems are still failing today.
No Child Left to a Broken System
The BMEF exists to bring this model to the communities the current system is failing, and we approach that as racial justice work carried out through education. To do this, we invest across the whole Montessori ecosystem, from teacher training scholarships to the Black Montessori Conference and the Black Educator’s Retreat, along with webinars, a membership community, and a job board that keep Black educators connected and supported.
We also work with training organizations, schools, and districts so that Montessori can enrich public education on a wide scale, and so that everyone who teaches it, whatever their background, carries it out with cultural awareness and integrity. When the method is implemented faithfully and with real care for the children in front of it, the benefits reach the families those educators serve, the schools they build, and the neighborhoods around them.
The BMEF in Numbers
Since 2020, the BMEF has invested more than $230,000 directly into Black Montessori educators, families, and schools.
72 educators supported
63 families supported
48 programs strengthened
12 countries reached
This work is possible because funders and donors invest alongside us.
Partnering With Institutions
Foundations and institutional funders can request our full impact report and current funding priorities.
Hear from our recipients
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![A smiling woman with dreadlocks, wearing a black shirt with a logo, red lipstick, colorful earrings, a nose ring, and a watch.]()
Tyle Izuagie
I am truly grateful to be selected as a recipient of the BMEF Educational Capital grant. This support affirms the work we are doing at Horizon Learning and gives me the encouragement to continue building a learning environment where children can grow with confidence and purpose.
The application process was clear and thoughtful, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to share my vision through it. Being selected as a winner not only provides needed resources but also strengthens my commitment to cultivating authentic Montessori experiences for the children and families I serve. Thank you for investing in this work and for the role you play in expanding access to Montessori education in our communities.
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![Baden Montessori School logo with the words 'Baden Montessori School' in green, black, and orange text and a white flower on the right side.]()
Kimberly Kendle Roberson
The Black Montessori Education Fund has been there for me as a small, Montessori school. First, the BMEF helped us get materials shipped from a retired Montessorian. Now, we received a grant for a fence. I am truly grateful for your support.
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![A smiling man wearing a black t-shirt standing against a white background.]()
Vidal Hines
Receiving this grant is both an honor and a responsibility. It reaffirms our commitment to this work and provides us with the resources needed to move closer to our goal. We are deeply grateful for the support and look forward to continuing to collaborate with educators, families, and organizations who share our dedication to equity, excellence, and opportunity for all children.
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![A woman with glasses and dreadlocks sitting cross-legged on a picnic blanket outdoors, smiling, with a baby on her lap. The baby has a flower headband and appears to be looking at something nearby. There are baby bottles, a water bottle, a smartphone, and picnic bags around them, with trees and a stroller in the background.]()
Brittaney Parks
I am grateful to receive this grant from the Black Montessori Education Fund to purchase much-needed classroom supplies. This support will help strengthen our learning environment and ensure our students have access to high-quality materials that support their curiosity and growth.
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![A woman with long black hair wearing a yellow sleeveless top, standing indoors against a pastel-colored wall.]()
Linsey Pointdjour
As an educator deeply committed to equity in education, I launched a tutoring program that blends academic math support with social-emotional learning for elementary students in Washington, DC. What began as a pilot has evolved into a vibrant community experience—complete with cultural outings, dance classes, and math-themed celebrations like Pi Day.
Now, with the support of this funding, we are taking the next step: creating an Interactive Math Corner where students can explore math through cooking, movement, music, art, games, and hands-on projects. This funding will directly impact our ability to make math accessible, joyful, and relevant—showing students that learning can be powerful and playful at the same time.
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![A young boy and girl smiling and sitting together outdoors. The boy is wearing a black leather jacket, and the girl is dressed in a yellow sweater with flower details and has a colorful hair accessory.]()
Frank and Michelle Olivia
We are truly grateful for BMEF’s support. We're excited to continue watching our children thrive through their Montessori education and look forward to sharing Brooklyn and Kiyan’s growth along the way. Again, thank you, and God bless. As our financial situation improves, we’re committed to paying it forward to support other families in the future.
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![A woman with braided hair, wearing a tan ribbed dress, smiling and holding a young boy with short curly hair, dressed in a blue and beige checkered sweater, sitting on her lap, both smiling.]()
DaVasha Lobbins
We are honored and deeply grateful to be selected for this scholarship, which will help support my son’s Montessori education. As a single mother, this financial assistance lightens a significant burden and allows me to focus on providing him with a strong foundation during these formative years. The application process was very clear and straightforward, and I appreciated the thoughtful consideration given to each applicant. Thank you sincerely for this meaningful opportunity. I’m so grateful to be part of a community that values montessori education and black families and I'm looking forward to connecting more with BMEF.
Donate today to help us create a more equitable future for Black educators, children, and families
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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