Who we are
Ujima Academy for Liberation is a learning collaborative that offers a micro-school experience for homeschooled children in grades 2–5.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a nurturing, nature-inclusive learning environment where children engage with the joy, culture, and history of African and African American values. Through project-based learning and liberatory education practices, we foster critical thinking, creativity, and joy, empowering students to build a deep connection with themselves, their community, and the world around them. We believe children should experience nature, liberation, and a culturally rooted community every day.
Our Philosophy
We believe that every child has the capacity to learn, grow, and succeed on their own terms, and that our educational process should celebrate the richness of each student’s individual journey. Rather than focusing solely on grades, we aim to develop empowered learners who are confident in their abilities and eager to contribute to a broader societal good.
What is Liberatory Education
Education should be empowering, critical, and transformative; students are co-creators of knowledge. We empower students to lead, think critically, and challenge systems of oppression.
Cultural Empowerment
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Nature Connection
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Joyful Learning
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Liberatory Design & Education
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Community and Collaboration
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Holistic Development
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Cultural Empowerment - Nature Connection - Joyful Learning - Liberatory Design & Education - Community and Collaboration - Holistic Development -
Meet the Resistance Team
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LaToya Faustin
Leader
In 2024, LaToya became a homeschool mom to her son, Thaddeus. Thaddeus is an intelligent, inquisitive, and talented little boy who inspires her to make the world his classroom and to look for teachable moments all around.
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Jessica Hawkins
Leader
Whether she is guiding future teachers, cultivating nature-based learning, or amplifying joy as a practice, Jessica’s work reflects a deep commitment to justice, imagination, and belonging.
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Corey Hawkins
Leader
As a current homeschool parent, he believes in celebrating the brilliance that exists in Black communities and using nontraditional methods that help challenge the narratives that determine success.
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