“The future of education has got to be innovative.”

Tannette Elie

“I come from a family of educators and I never ever thought that I would be a teacher, never.”

Tannette Elie’s path to the classroom began as a longtime journalist and business columnist before transitioning into higher education. Now an adjunct associate lecturer at a Wisconsin institution, she turned a part-time teaching opportunity into a full-time calling, earning her master’s degree and bringing decades of real-world media experience into her courses. Her unconventional route and determination to navigate academia as a Black woman without a PhD shaped the confident, career-focused educator she is today.

“I don't treat them like they're just these students or kids; they're professionals to me.”
With 20 years of print media experience followed by 16 years in the classroom, Tannette approaches her communications courses like an editor, requiring rewrites, interviews, elevator pitches and emphasizing industry standards that prepare students for real careers in the field of communication. She is especially passionate about mentoring Black students, helping them build confidence, sharpen their skills, and access opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves. She also speaks about the declining presence of Black male students in her classes and the broader implications for Black education. Her legacy is rooted in representation, rigor, and results—ensuring her students leave not just inspired, but equipped to do amazing things.

“There is a special level of comfort and communication that happens between educators of color and students of color, and I have been privileged to experience that in every single space of my career.”

Ms. Tymia Morgan

ELA / IB Teacher, Teacher Mentor

“I'm proud of the way that I've been able to show up and be authentic and genuine in front of my students.”

Tymia Morgan brings 20 years of lived experience to the classroom as an IB English teacher, department lead, and mentor in Kansas City, Missouri. Raised in a family of educators (#shoutout to her mom’s 42-year career in education), Tymia’s path was shaped by strong Black teachers and a deep belief in representation. She shares how Black educators create spaces of trust, cultural understanding, and guidance that extend far beyond academics, helping students feel seen, safe, and capable.

“I really am excited for the community to really own education again, to make it more than just a school thing, to make it a home thing, to make it a church thing, to make it a community center thing.”

During our conversation, Tymia reflects on the realities of burnout, protecting one’s peace, and navigating systems that don’t always value Black women’s labor. She offers powerful stories of student joy, honest insights on mentoring with respect and transparency, and a vision for education rooted in community. Grounded in love, authenticity, and care, Tymia’s legacy is a reminder that showing up fully, with heart and honesty, is transformative for students and educators alike.

“I need to be able to share and give my students power and value, and for them to be empowered in their experiences.”

Ms. Jewell Taylor,

Program Coordinator and Counselor

“I almost always had a Black educator in my space, and I didn't realize the privilege until later on in life.”

This week, we are joined by Jewell Taylor, Umoja Program Counselor and Coordinator, to reflect on the power and responsibility of Black educators. Jewell reflects on her journey from Los Angeles to higher education, her experience being taught by Black educators from kindergarten through HBCUs, and how those early affirmations shaped her sense of identity and purpose. She unpacks the often-unspoken stigmas surrounding community colleges, sharing how her own assumptions shifted once she witnessed firsthand how these institutions can be life-changing, accessible pathways.

“I aligned with the needs of our students. And again that was one of the A-HA moments for me of like, oh I'm needed in this space.”

Jewell offers an honest assessment of the current state of Black education, naming generational shifts, pandemic impacts, and the growing need for wraparound support, mentorship, and motivation. Grounded in joy, self-care, and community, Jewell shares how she sustains herself as an educator and casts a vision for a future where Black students everywhere have access to mentors who see them, affirm them, and remind them that education is still a powerful tool for liberation.