Our Mission
BLACK GIRLS TEACH WORKS TO FILL THE GAP IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT OFTEN LEAVES BLACK WOMEN EDUCATORS WITHOUT A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN, GROW, AND NAVIGATE THE INTRICATE AREAS OF BEING A BLACK WOMAN EDUCATOR.
Our organization seeks to empower and affirm Black women educators through intentional professional and personal development, advocacy, career advancement initiatives, and by providing a welcoming community for collaboration.
Black Girls Teach is a collaborative platform created to…
Build a supportive educational community across the United States and abroad. We strive to support and cultivate the unique teaching perspectives, practices, and experiences of Black women as educators. We hope that the work we do as an organization empowers the Black community and closes the achievement gap for students of color.
Meet our Founder
Deidra Fogarty
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Deidra is an educator, literacy consultant, and entrepreneur who has worked in education for 15+ years in various capacities. Her natural ability to take the initiative and positively influence others earned her several leadership roles in the Washington Metropolitan area. After a decade working in education and frustration with its current state, Deidra decided to make a pivot in her career, entering back into the classroom as a teacher. She used her return as an opportunity to develop her craft by working with students who needed the most academic support. The new setting and role offered a happier mindset that allowed her to use her time to focus on other passions, such as diverse children’s literature, supporting teachers, providing resources literacy to parents, and bringing awareness to current urban education issues. She, along with her sister, launched a successful subscription service called WAM! Book Bundle, where she provides a selection of diverse children’s books to parents and educators monthly.
Through all of her ventures, Deidra realized there was a void in urban education. Along her journey, there was never a support system, community, or outlet for Black women in education besides her educator friends. She knew that women like herself often felt isolated and frustrated, not feeling safe to share their thoughts about education and their role in it. Deidra founded Black Girls Teach to empower other Black women educators and create space for them to be seen, heard, and to unpack limiting beliefs that may be holding them back from the next, best stage of their careers. She turned her experiences into lessons that she shares to help other Black women educators better navigate and overcome the same workplace challenges. Deidra - a bold, passionate teacher influencer - advocates tirelessly to ensure that schools and organizations stop the silencing tactics and treat Black women educators as assets, not threats.
Blossom Framework
Black Girls Teach utilizes our signature BLOSSOM Framework (named after our founder’s mother) to provide educators with strategic skills that transfer to the workplace, allowing them to truly blossom as educators.
Belief system and mindset
Leaning into discomfort
Owning your professional development
Sharpen your skillsets and emotional intelligence
Space to be seen, heard, and valued
Owning our expertise and letting go of imposter syndrome
Mentorship, community and collective care
Meet Our Dream Team
Tiffany Jackson, Lead Consultant
Tiffany Jackson, a native of DC, is a master educator passionate about the study and facilitation of teaching as a craft. She has spent the last 14 years educating high schoolers and educators on critical thinking tools, literacy as the key to learning, and the significance of mindfulness and active listening. Her work with Black Girls Teach serves to cultivate genius in educators and scholars alike.
BRITTANY WHITE
Brittany White is a former third-grade teacher who now works as an instructor and project coordinator at a large urban university. She is committed to preparing teachers to educate black students in urban schools effectively. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
SHANTEL SAPPLETON
Shantel Sappleton is a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, and is currently a principal at LEAP Academy in Washington, DC. Her natural leadership ability, passion for all students, and commitment to success have continually allowed her to grow her impact in the Washington Metropolitan area. She is also passionate about coaching women of color on their leadership journey and mentoring women across the DC area.
