Nikole Hannah-Jones

Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project, regretted sending her 16-year-old daughter to predominantly Black, high-poverty Brooklyn public schools.

Daughter's education

Najya, her 16-year-old daughter, said she never received the education she wanted after years in segregated Brooklyn public schools.

“I never really got the education I wanted”

Regret for daughter

Hannah-Jones admitted regretting aspects of her daughter's education after she told her, 'I feel like you got cheated.'

“I feel like you got cheated”

2016 decision

In 2016, Hannah-Jones believed middle-class families could improve segregated schools by enrolling children and investing in them.

School challenges

Najya faced limited homework, inexperienced teachers, and gaps in math preparation as she progressed through school.

Principal's response

Unison principal Emily Paige acknowledged lowering expectations could become 'racism under the guise of antiracism.'

“racism under the guise of antiracism”

School choice advocate

Corey DeAngelis, a school choice advocate, urged Hannah-Jones to support policies allowing education funding to follow children.

Hannah-Jones' apology

Hannah-Jones apologized to her daughter after reviewing problems that followed her through elementary and middle school.

“I’m sorry for that”

What happens next

Hannah-Jones says she hopes parents without resources will have equal outrage for Black children's educational challenges.

“There is no absolution to be had for any of us”