New organization aims to unify, resource, and amplify Black educators reimagining K–12 education through microschools
Nationwide — Nicole Stewart, Founder and Executive Director, has officially launched National Association of Black Microschool Leaders (NABML), the first national organization dedicated to supporting Black educators and community leaders who are building microschools — small, community-driven, and culturally responsive learning environments.
NABML arrives at a pivotal moment. Black families are turning to alternative education options at unprecedented rates, yet Black-led microschools face systemic barriers to success, including limited access to funding, infrastructure, and national support networks.
“Black families are the fastest-growing demographic in alternative education, yet Black microschool founders have had no national home—no unified voice, no shared resources, no collective power,” said Stewart. “We founded NABML to change that. We’re building the infrastructure so that Black-led microschools don’t just survive—they thrive for generations.”
The microschool movement has grown rapidly in recent years, with an estimated 1.5 million students now learning in approximately 95,000 microschools nationwide. While Black educators represent just 13 percent of current microschool leaders, that number is poised to double: 27 percent of prospective microschool founders are Black, according to the National Microschooling Center.
This surge reflects a broader shift. The percentage of Black families homeschooling increased nearly fivefold during the pandemic—the largest jump of any demographic group—as parents sought educational environments that center their children’s cultural identity and academic potential.
Yet despite growing demand, Black microschool founders consistently identify sustainability and access to resources as their greatest challenges. NABML was founded to close that gap.
Alissa Jacques Saint-Pierre, NABML’s board chair, emphasized the urgency of the moment: “Black families are seeking educational options that see and celebrate their children. Black educators are answering that call. NABML exists to ensure they don’t have to do it alone.”
NABML is already building critical infrastructure for the movement. With support from a grant from EdChoice, the organization is developing the nation’s first comprehensive Black Microschool Directory – a resource that will connect families with Black-led learning environments and help founders gain visibility and support.
Over the next four years, NABML will position itself as the nation’s hub for Black-led microschool innovation, providing founders with funding pathways, professional development, shared infrastructure, and a powerful national network.
About
The National Association of Black Microschool Leaders (NABML) empowers educators and community leaders to reimagine education for Black and Brown families by building and sustaining innovative microschools. NABML envisions a future where Black microschool founders lead the way in transforming education—creating learning environments centered on excellence, equity, and cultural empowerment. Learn more at NABML.org
For press inquiries, send an email to nicole.stewart@nabml.org