Creating a Black Student Association at Hibbard Elementary School

Ms. Christina Ukachukwu is new to Hibbard Elementary School this year. As the restorative justice coordinator, she is responsible for helping contribute to a school culture where everyone feels accepted and valued. She also lives in the Albany Park community, which means she’s familiar with the backgrounds and lived experiences of the student body. 

One of her goals for this year is to ensure that the school’s Black students have a safe space to learn more about themselves and celebrate their identities. Thus, she is working hard to bring a new Black Student Association to Hibbard. We connected with her to learn more about how she is bringing this idea to life. Read more below.

How did this idea come to be? 

Out of the more than 900 students at Hibbard, under 40 of them are Black. After talking with some fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders, I saw that this was an opportunity that they were really excited about. As a Black educator myself, that made me really excited as well. Not only can this be a safe and joyful space for our Black students, but we can also have allies come to advocate for student rights. 

What strategies are you using to achieve the goals you have for this group? 

My strategy is to start with the students. I want this group to be student-led. Right now, I need to figure out what they want to learn and do as part of this group. I think it’s a good idea to have different buckets—a “joy” bucket, a “celebration” bucket, an “identity” bucket, a “history” bucket—and make sure that we are finding ways to fill each of those buckets throughout the year. 

What benefits do you think this new initiative will have on the student experience? 

I think it will lift my students’ confidence here at school. I also think it will help them become more independent and become better leaders. They will no longer be spectators and people who blend in, but rather students who stand out for good reasons. 

What do you hope students remember years from now about this opportunity?

I am still leaning on the confidence and ideas that were instilled in me in elementary school. Because I felt strong and comfortable about who I was then, I feel strong and comfortable about who I am now. I think the same can be possible for my students. 

What advice would you give to other schools who want to implement a similar association? 

Start by becoming acquainted with as many students as possible and see if this is something they want and would be excited about. From there, collaborate with your administration and other colleagues to get it off the ground. 

What message do you have for your students? 

The biggest things that people can’t take away from you are your identity and your confidence. Pour into yourself and pour back into the world, and hopefully you’ll see benefits from that.