Reimagining school, family and community engagement for Black youth

Education does not happen in isolation, it unfolds through the interconnected efforts of schools, families and communities. For Black youth especially, success depends not just on what happens inside the classroom, but on whether schools embrace families and community partners as essential allies. Yet too often, engagement remains shallow or inaccessible, creating barriers that undermine student success.

In my doctoral research exploring family and community engagement among Black youth in Indianapolis, I found that many families want to be involved, but the current structures rarely meet them where they are. Without intentional efforts to rebuild trust, adapt engagement models and center community collaboration, schools risk continuing to push families away, even when they believe they are reaching out.

A path forward

If we are truly committed to educational equity, schools must evolve beyond operating as isolated institutions. They must become hubs of community collaboration, spaces where Black families feel seen, heard and respected, and where community organizations are woven into the daily fabric of student support. Social workers, educators and school leaders all have roles to play in this shift. It will take policy changes, professional development and a willingness to see families and community members not as outsiders, but as experts in student success.

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We must stop talking about engagement as a one-way street. It is a shared journey that requires listening, adapting and building together.

As one youth powerfully shared, “We need schools that don’t just say they care about us. We need schools that show it.”

The call to action is clear: Schools must rebuild trust with families, reimagine engagement practices that reflect community realities and treat grassroots organizations as essential partners in supporting Black youth. The future of education equity depends on it.

Rebuild trust with families

One of the clearest messages from families was that trust must be earned through consistent, culturally responsive communication. Many parents shared that they feel schools only contact them when there is a problem, leaving little room for proactive collaboration.

As one parent explained during a focus group, “There’s a misconception that parents don’t want to be involved. That’s incorrect. They do. Sometimes they just don’t know how to get started or what it looks like to be involved.”

Another parent added, “Schools just send things online. Not everybody checks that. Parents want one-on-one communication, not just emails that get lost.”

Trust-building efforts need to move beyond sending flyers or mass emails. Schools should hold regular, community-centered forums where families can voice concerns and offer input. Dedicated community liaison staff, whose sole purpose is to bridge the gap between schools and community organizations, can also foster more meaningful relationships.

Reimagine engagement practices that reflect community realities

Traditional forms of engagement, like daytime parent-teacher conferences, assume a level of flexibility and access many families simply do not have. In my study, parents and youth repeatedly highlighted logistical barriers like work schedules, lack of transportation and the absence of welcoming school climates.

As one youth participant put it, “When there’s an event, if our parents have to work late or we don’t have a ride, we miss it.”

[Related: Helping young people reconnect with school: What reengagement programs need to succeed]

Solutions like offering evening or weekend meetings, virtual options and school-sponsored transportation are not just conveniences, they are necessities for equitable engagement.

In addition to logistical flexibility, schools must shift their mindset. Engagement should be partnership-based, not compliance-driven. Creating parent-led advisory councils, offering parent workshops informed by family input and recognizing family expertise in decision-making processes can dramatically change how families experience their role within the school community.

Treat grassroots organizations as essential partners

CommuBnity-based organizations are already providing critical support, mentorship, mental health services, academic tutoring and leadership development that complement and extend what schools offer. Yet, many organizations are treated as optional rather than integrated partners.

One youth focus group participant stated, “The programs outside school, those are the places I feel like I’m actually seen.”

Schools should recognize these organizations not as afterthoughts but as key pillars of student success. Co-locating services within school buildings, providing shared funding for community programming and developing collaborative data-sharing agreements can create more holistic support systems.

If we truly want Black youth to thrive, we must stop treating family and community engagement as optional. Schools must redesign their approach, intentionally investing in relationships, resources and shared leadership with families and grassroots organizations. The future of education depends on a bold reimagining of how we work together beyond the classroom to ensure every child feels seen, supported and set up for success.

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Dr. Heather L. Savage, DSW, MSW, is a social worker, nonprofit consultant and co-founder of Let Them Talk, a community-based organization supporting Black youth in Indianapolis. She is the CEO of Savvy Consulting Services and recently earned her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Louisville.