WE ARE ENOUGH. IN FACT, WE ARE EVERYTHING WE NEED.

Black Genius is intrinsic to every Black person. It’s limitless, luminous, full of possibility. Our mission is to build a world that honors and activates individual Black Genius by affirming, protecting, and caring for Black and Brown children through the love and wisdom of their families.

What We’re All About

Rooted in Blackness

We are unapologetically Black. Village of Wisdom exists to affirm and protect the inherent genius of Black children and communities. Our communities hold the wisdom for our individual and collective liberation.

A Culture of Radical Care

Our communities deserve care. We listen to the needs of communities and create space for Black parents to build joy and wellness. By helping parents rest from stress, they can build learning environments that affirm our children’s genius.

Dreaming as an Act of Liberation

Our dreams have the power to build a better world for our children. We bring our community together to inspire their radical imagination. These dreams become the research and tools that shape learning environments where children thrive.

Where Soul Meets Science

We believe in the power of knowledge that honors our humanity. Village of Wisdom’s programs combine the community’s radical imagination with rigorous research to create resources rooted in love and wisdom.

Multigenerational & Multidirectional Learning

Our communities are rich with wisdom. It flows from our children, elders, aunties, uncles, fathers, and mothers. Because communities have always been the architects of knowledge and affirmation, we learn from them and bring that wisdom back to the people. 

2023 Impact Report

Our love and wisdom is powerful. We have a lot to celebrate! Together, we have created better learning environments, affirming the genius of thousands of children.

Our Team

Valerie Anderson, PhD

Dr. Valerie Anderson has served in leadership roles in nonprofit, education and community-based organizations focused on holistic youth development, strengthening...

Aeran Baskin

A lover of language and strategy, Aeran leads communications and storytelling at Village of Wisdom. Drawing on her experience as...

Lashika Hester

Lashika makes the operations magic happen at Village of Wisdom. She makes sure all our stuff, tech, data, and info...

Amber Majors Ladipo, PhD

Amber plans and manages our research projects. She trains and works side by side with our parents as they create...

Malika Graham-Bailey

Malika has spent over 20 years in organizations partnering with urban school districts to sustain equitable youth opportunity and community...

Nadiah Porter

Nadiah builds community with Village of Wisdom parents, new and old. She keeps the conversation going with parents online, in...

Carlton Johnson 

Carlton Johnson is a passionate social worker based in Durham, NC, where he is deeply committed to nurturing and strengthening...

Leah Adeniji 

As a staunch advocate of education and supporting Black youth, Leah R. Adeniji started as a volunteer for Village of...