Following the Civil War in the USA, during what became known as the Reconstruction Era, freed Black Americans fought hard to establish communities and defend their rights. None of these struggles were more important than access to education, and the efforts of Black American pioneers of public education helped to form the model of publicly funded school for children in the US, as well as codify this into law.

Check out www.dcoffeyfoundation.org to support this month's charity-of-choice, helping young people in need to further their education through athletic scholarships.