The JHA Education Project supports educational achievement by focusing on literacy, mentoring, and providing high-impact educational experiences for children at partner schools in the United States. We collaborate with school leaders to create empowered schools where children are afforded the educational experiences that allow them to achieve and excel.

Literacy and STEM

Our literacy and STEM programs are focused not only on learning basic skills but applying those skills to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and the leaders of tomorrow. The JHA Education Project partners with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to increase reading and science skills among children attending IPS schools.

Virtual Book Club

In fall 2020 the Brogdon Family Foundation's JHA Education Project and IPS partnered to create the One Book - Four Schools Family Book Club featuring the book, Finding Langston. Using books provided by the foundation, the virtual book club was attended by children and families at Floro Torrence – 83, Eleanor Skillen – 34, James Whitcomb Riley – 43, and Global Preparatory Academy – 44. Author Lesa Cline Ransom joined and shared her love of reading, what inspires her, and why Langston's story is so important.

This fall 2022 the JHA Education Project/IPS book club will expand from 4 to 7 IPS schools and impact over 1000 children. Launching in October and focused on one shared reading, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, the interactive book club will allow integration of the reading into the partnering schools’ curricula, deepening learning and encouraging the development of strong reading skills and critical thinking. Book club meetings will take place virtually and in-person over an 8-week period. Participating schools include six IPS elementary schools: Floro Torrence, Eleanor Skillen, James Whitcomb Riley, Global Preparatory Academy, Jonathan Jennings, Francis Parker Montessori, as well as Meredith Nicholson Elementary and Middle School.

Books and STEM Supplies

In spring 2021 and 2022 the JHA Education Project partnered with IPS to provide books and STEM supplies for children in our four partnering schools. The books and supplies provided were unique to each school, reflecting the goals and values of the individual partnering school.

High Impact Educational Experiences

Opportunities for experiential education amplify and deepen what is learned in the classroom. The JHA Education Project supports experiences, such as field trips and internships, that expose children to environments and opportunities that transform their understanding of the world and what they can achieve.

Social Justice HBCU Tour

In spring 2022 the JHA Education Project introduced the Social Justice HBCU Tour. The two-day experience allowed IPS high schoolers to learn about the fight for civil and human rights in the U.S. and will included a visit to the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, KY. Through virtual HBCU visits to, students learned the rich history of HBCUs and the opportunities for them to attend.

This fall 2022 the Social Justice HBCU Tour will take place October 10-14, 2022, during the IPS Spring Break. Forty IPS high schoolers will experience five days of travel to HBCUs and social justice and historic sites. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities that will be visited include Kentucky State University, Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Tuskegee University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Sites will include the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Memorial for Peace and Justice, King Center, and Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Our Empowered Schools