OURducation™
OURducation™ is an "education For Us By Us" brand that provides learning materials for children celebrating the diversity, beauty, history, and cultures of the African Diaspora.
“The Doll Test” conducted by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark in the 1940s concluded that “prejudice, discrimination, and segregation” creates feelings of inferiority and damages self esteem. Similar studies have been done in recent years and the same silent effects occur among students when they don’t see positive representations of themselves in education.
While cultural diversity is rising in schools and society, there is a lack of diversity and representation in children's books, learning materials and school curriculum. This inadvertently leads to negative psychological impacts on children of color and negatively affects white children’s development of racial attitudes.
OUR products are dedicated to making sure Black children can see themselves in their learning materials and that all children have access to a more inclusive & diverse curriculum.
OUR Founder
Michaela is an encourager, educator and entrepreneur who desired to see a fresh new take on learning materials for children that celebrates Black history, culture and diversity.
In her earlier years, Michaela attended California State University Fullerton where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while majoring in History and African American Studies. She also earned her Master's Degree in Education: Curriculum & Instruction from California State University Dominguez Hills.
With 15+ years of experience in K-12 education, she recognized that there are very few academic materials and curriculum that reflect or represent the students in the communities she's served. School curriculum that does highlight other ethnic groups does so primarily in an unfavorable fashion ignoring the rich and proud history that should be celebrated.
By creating learning and instructional materials that celebrate and highlight the history, diversity and beauty of the African Diaspora, Black and LatinX children in America will be able to garner a more positive self image and expand the possibilities they imagine for their future.