Help TVN Train Our Teachers

Please help me with The Village Nation's Social Justice Teacher Development project.

Imagine a dedicated teacher’s frustration because their African American high school students continue to lag behind their classmates. Now, fast forward to just a few years later, when the same teacher enrolls 13 Black students in their advanced placement class and these students all ace the AP exam! Innovative teachers are partnering with The Village Nation to create learning environments that bring out the genius in students of color in all classrooms. Their method is what Oprah Winfrey has called “a miracle that’s happening in California.”

The "miracle" starts when a group of dedicated and diverse educators believe that every student has enormous untapped potential. These educators speak truth and directly address issues underlying the persistent gaps in opportunity and achievement between diverse ethnic groups.

What they don't do is blame the students, their families, or their culture. 

Through The Village Nation’s evidence-based model, educators become “village elders” who are asset-focused, affirming and appreciative. They dismantle negative stereotypes and actively bring students in from the margins to the mainstream of the school and classroom.

This is why we need your help in closing a budget shortfall so we can accommodate all educators who are committed to becoming colorBrave* and culturally proficient. Their preparation will start with a full-day intensive professional development retreat and continue on, at a cost of $350 per person.

Since more teachers than we anticipated have signed up to become advocates for equity and excellence, we need to raise $2800  to cover the unexpected shortfall.

Without these funds, our collective work will be curtailed and hundreds of adolescents will lose the full inspiration and advocacy of this pivotal team of teachers. The ultimate beneficiaries of your gift are these students who will be prepared to succeed in school, college, community and life!

Please donate today so all can participate!  TVN will publicly acknowledge your generous contribution (unless you prefer to remain anonymous) and there is a thank-you gift for higher levels.

The Legacy Continues
60 years ago, brave students desegregated Central High School in Little Rock. 40 years ago, another generation of courageous youth was preparing to desegregate the schools of Los Angeles...

...and right this very moment there's a group of high school educators who are ready to break through and become colorBRAVE. They simply need the professional development support and coaching for which The Village Nation model is known.

I want to be sure my colleagues will have the opportunity to continue making miracles happen.



*Inspired by Mellody Hobson’s TEDTalk

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About THE VILLAGE NATION

Fluke Fluker
Co-Founder and President

Fluke Fluker was born and raised in the projects of Brooklyn, New York. Before he turned 20, Fluke had become one of the youngest sergeants in the Marine Corps' peacetime history. After leaving the USMC, he  earned a BA in Kinesiology. For 22 years, Mr. Fluker has been a high school teacher and youth mentor specializing in conflict resolution, life skills, and cultural awareness.

In 2003, Fluker co-founded The Village Nation.

Mr. Fluker has been featured in Phi Delta Kappan magazine and has earned numerous awards and commendations for his outstanding work.

Joyce Germaine Watts, Ed.D.
Acting Executive Director

Joyce Germaine Watts is a fourth-generation educator whose teaching spans elementary through graduate school. Her preparation includes African American, Mexican American/bilingual and cross-cultural studies. Joyce has facilitated systemic school and district change in urban, suburban, charter, and comprehensive settings and has served as a youth and community organizer. She has specialized in critical pedagogy through study retreats with Paulo Freire and culturally-responsive teaching through study and travel with Asa Hilliard.

Joyce’s writings have been published by Poverty and Race Research Action Council and California Association for Bilingual Education.