Socially Transformative (African and Indigenous Centered) Education

The program at the Graham Elementary school in Mount Vernon, NY is a garden based education program. The mission is to reconnect students to natural systems and to ritualize that connection; to bring about critical awareness in students of the disparate conditions society exists and inspire them to action - bring about change within themselves and the communities they are in. The student population is predominantly, black – African American, African and Caribbean. The Graham school is classified as a focus school (school with low academic performance that is not improving) therefore is entitled to receive federal funding for improvements. All students are entitled to a free breakfast and lunch. Garden lessons rely heavily on socially transformative pedagogy as put forth by Dr. Jomo Mutegi ; popular education style of teaching and mindfulness.