About BAEO
History and Purpose

History and Purpose

BAEO arose from the Symposium on Options for African Americans, sponsored in 1999 and 2000 by Marquette University's Institute for the Transformation of Learning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The two symposia addressed growing interest among Black parents in expanding the educational options available to their children. They drew an intergenerational group of more than 500 Black parents, students, community leaders, educators, and policy makers from across America. It provided attendees with information on educational options and a forum for discussion and understanding.

BAEO announced its formation August 24, 2000 at a National Press Club event televised from Washington, D.C. on C-SPAN.

To view a video of the National Press Club event, click here.

To complement this announcement, BAEO initiated a public information campaign to raise awareness about the need for, and value of, extending quality educational options to African American and low-income families. A continuing series of print ads has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Republic, and more than a dozen newspapers that have a primarily Black readership. In mid-November, BAEO expanded this information and awareness-building effort through television and radio ads in the greater Washington D.C. area.

BAEO will provide information to the public about a broad range of educational options, including: Charter Schools; Privately Financed Scholarships; Public School Contracts with Private Organizations; Home Schooling; Tax-Supported Scholarships for Low-income Families (Vouchers); Supplementary Education Programs; Tax Credits Benefiting Low-income Families; and Innovations in Existing Public Schools. Specifically, BAEO plans to:

  1. Educate and inform the general public about parent choice initiatives on the local and national level;
  2. Educate Black families about the numerous types of educational options available;
  3. Create, promote, and support efforts to empower Black parents to exercise choice in determining options for their children's education; and
  4. Educate and inform the general public about efforts to reduce or limit educational options available to parents.