by Aaricka Washington

Gina Dukes knew she wanted to be a teacher the moment she heard a formerly homeless schoolmate talk about the impact teachers had in his life. A once-shy student who grew into a confident, charismatic poet, Dukes wanted to advocate for Black kids.

“I wanted to be that champion,” Dukes says. “I wanted to be that safe space, that person who opens up the world for other students.”

And she did, becoming a high school English teacher in 2017. Now, at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber in Philadelphia, she also works with high schoolers who aspire to be teachers through the nonprofit Center for Black Educator Development. But it and other organizations that recruit, train, and support Black educators face existential challenges under the Trump administration.

In Febru

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