Press-release-2 TeenSHARP Launches Online Black History Course for Students, Parents, and Educators

The free, self-paced online course aims to empower students, parents, educators, and communities to deepen their knowledge of Black History and spark much-needed action on issues of race and social justice.

Wilmington, Delaware – Today, TeenSHARP, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing talented Black, Latino, and low-income students for selective colleges and equity-centered leadership, announced the launch of its free 2024 Black History Challenge. The interactive and informative online course aims to deepen participants’ knowledge of Black history, foster critical thinking, and inspire action for social justice.

The TeenSHARP 2024 Black History Challenge is the latest initiative in the college access organization’s ongoing commitment to providing students and communities with access to culturally relevant education and resources.

Founded in 2009, TeenSHARP has a proven track record of helping students gain admission to highly competitive colleges, graduate with little to no debt, and become leaders in their communities.

“An important part of our college, career, and life preparation for our students is cultivating their power to create and advocate in the face of society’s many injustices,” said Atnre Alleyne, Co-Founder and CEO of TeenSHARP. “At a time when some are fighting to restrict students’ access to teaching about race and the truth about America’s history, we want our community to demand more.”

The 2024 Black History Challenge covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • Foundations in Black History
  • What You Probably Didn’t Know About Healthcare in Black History
  • Black History in Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Economy
  • Black History, Legacy, and Innovation in Education
  • Black History in Politics and Government
  • The Legacy of Black Activism and Resistance
  • Black History in Arts & Culture
  • Black History in Sports that You Probably Didn’t Know
  • Black Writers, Thinkers, and Visionaries
  • Black History in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
  • International Affairs, Pan-Africanism, and Black History

Participants will have access to engaging content, expert insights, and interactive activities that encourage critical thinking and reflection. The course aims to inspire participants to take action and become agents of change in their communities.

The TeenSHARP 2024 Black History Challenge course is open to students, parents, educators, and anyone else who wants to deepen their understanding of history and take action.
For more information and to register for the course, visit https://www.teensharp.org/challenge/

About TeenSHARP:
TeenSHARP is a national nonprofit that prepares Black, Latino, and low-income students to attend and thrive at America’s top colleges with little or no debt. Founded in 2009 by Atnre Alleyne and Tatiana Poladko, TeenSHARP has evolved into a leading provider of innovative, at-scale college access and leadership development. Year after year, 100 percent of TeenSHARP scholars successfully pursue a 4-year college education, with 95 percent admitted to the most selective colleges; and the majority graduating with $15,000 or less in college debt. TeenSHARP’s mission is in service of a bold vision that, one day, the diversity of our country’s top jobs and most influential leadership positions will reflect the country’s rich diversity.

Deborah Yanez

Parent Programs Manager

Deborah leads TeenSHARP’s parent empowerment work with love, conviction, and credibility. She grew up in one of America’s poorest cities (Camden, NJ), has served as an elected school board member, raised two sons who have accessed higher education successfully (one is a TeenSHARP alumnus and McCabe Scholar at Swarthmore) along with her husband, and has helped many more families prepare their children for college.

Zoha Fatima

Director of Operations & Special Projects

Zoha is driven by a deep passion for education and social justice. With over 8 years of experience in the development sector, she has made significant contributions to various education projects aimed at increasing access and equity. Zoha’s commitment to empowering learners stems from her belief that education is a fundamental right. She honed her expertise at Harvard University, earning a Master’s in Education and Technology, building upon her undergraduate studies in Public Policy.

Based in the Bay Area, Zoha loves exploring the diverse California landscape, especially through hiking. When she’s not championing educational equity, you can find her baking, hitting the trails, or enjoying the outdoor.

Sara Petty

Director of Pre-College Success

Sara Petty is TeenSHARP’s powerhouse Director of Pre-College Success, orchestrating a nationwide expansion to ensure that talented Black, Latino, and low-income students have a direct path to elite colleges. With a proven track record from her days scaling a college access program in Houston, Sara has a knack for turning educational challenges into triumphs. She thrives on transforming obstacles into opportunities and is known for her relentless drive and innovative solutions. When she’s not making waves in the world of education, you can find her brainstorming the next big idea over a cup of coffee or diving into a new book that sparks her curiosity. Sara’s mission? To make sure every student has the chance to unlock their full potential and claim their spot in the future’s top colleges.

Tamara Fentress

Chief of Staff

For over 18 years, Tamara has been a passionate advocate for educational equity, inclusion, and the overall improvement of support structures to build a solid foundation for the journey of learning. Driven by a desire to see all students and families thrive, she has successfully led major projects of varying budget sizes, while also co-creating and implementing innovative strategies at mission-driven organizations across various operational areas, from technology and project management to legal and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIB) initiatives.

Her journey began in a large urban school district, where she spent a significant portion of her career leading the development of critical strategies that served over 86,000 students. This experience allowed her to work closely with a diverse team of over 10,000 employees, understanding and addressing needs across all levels of the organization. Her collaborative spirit extended beyond the school district, fostering strong partnerships with parent groups, community organizations, and government entities.

Tamara’s dedication to education stems from a deeply personal place. As a mother to two inspiring children, Harmony and Hudson, she sees firsthand the potential and power of having access to opportunities, caring adults, and belief in that which is greater than yourself.  This unwavering belief in the power of serving others, access, equity, and education to empower and transform lives fuels her commitment to continuous learning and creating equitable opportunities for all.

Tatiana Poladko

Co-Founder

Our “force of nature” founder came to New Jersey from Ukraine for graduate school over a decade ago and immediately put her hands to the work of community empowerment and expanding educational opportunity. She has experience managing youth programs for the UN in Ukraine (at the age of 19!), teaching at Temple University, building/managing nonprofit organizations, and supporting students to and through college. She is also a mother to three lovely kids (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), plays guitar and piano, and makes amazing soups!

Atnre Alleyne

Co-Founder/CEO

As TeenSHARP’s resident historian, Atnre is quick to share stories of the organization’s humble church basement beginnings, its growing pains, and many milestones. With his background in research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, communications, technology, and instruction, he has the type of Swiss Army knife skills that are critical in a fast-paced social impact organization. He has three lovely children (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), an amazing wife (TeenSHARP’s Co-Founder), and he plays bass guitar and blogs when he finds the time.