Black Montessori Education FundOpening doors to and through Montessori.
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Too many Black children are being failed by a public education system built on an outdated model, one that stretches teachers thin, under-resources classrooms, and asks children to sit still and absorb information rather than engage with it. Montessori education offers a different way, one already proven to work.
Research backs this up. A national randomized controlled trial found that public Montessori preschool students showed stronger outcomes than their peers in traditional programs, at a significantly lower cost per child. Separate research on public Montessori elementary schools found that Black students scored significantly higher in both math and reading compared to Black students in traditional schools, with opportunity gaps narrowing across the board.
We exist to bring this proven alternative to the communities the current system is failing, through funding, community, professional development, and a strong network of support for Black educators, children, families, and pioneers in Montessori.
No Child Left to a Broken System
Over 110 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed her method working with children in the slums of Rome, not in privilege. She believed education was the pathway to peace, and that peace required justice. It was a response to children being failed by systems that did not see them.
Public schools serving Black children are too often underfunded and stretched past what any teacher can reasonably deliver. Montessori is not a luxury alternative to that system. It is a working, evidence backed model, ready to reach the communities who need it most.
Yet a proven model is only as strong as the people delivering it. That is why we fund training scholarships for Black educators, and why we built our annual Conference and Retreat, so the educators doing this work have the community and support to keep doing it well. That investment doesn't stop with the educator. It reaches the families they teach, the schools they build, and the neighborhoods around them.
We are putting Montessori's original purpose back where it belongs: in the hands of the communities that the current system is failing.
The BMEF in numbers
Since 2020, the BMEF has invested $232,974 directly into Black Montessori educators, families, and schools.
73 educators supported
63 families supported
47 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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