What Can We Learn From Freedom Schools

May 25, 2013 - The Children's Defense Fund's Cameron Van Patterson, presenting at a strategy session at the NAACP Leadership 500 Summit in Naples, Fla., on Friday, said there's an alternative to simply pushing for reforms to a public education system that too often fails black kids.

"I'm speaking in this instance in terms of the African-American community," Van Patterson told The Root. "When it comes to education, some of the structural challenges are real, but if those challenges can't be overcome for whatever reason, then we need to come up with alternatives, and people are doing that. " Read more at theroot.com.

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In Africa, a Renewed Sense of Potential

May 25, 2013 -  When the African Union (known then as the Organization of African Unity) was founded, the leaders of that era understood that the success of their individual countries hinged on the success of the entire continent. Now, as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, we understand more than ever the key role that unity has played in Africa's past and must continue to play as the continent embraces this new wave of economic prosperity and international attention. Read more at theroot.com.

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It's Not Your Grandmother's NAACP

May 25, 2013 -  In 2005 the NAACP took a look at its membership and, more important, the people who were not members. There was the robust Youth & College Division, but then, as National Board Chairman Roslyn Brock puts it, "After you're 25, we lose you -- you're graduating from college, starting your family, starting your career. Then folks come back to NAACP around their late 40s, 50s, and they literally stay until God calls them home." Read more at theroot.com.

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