As a third grade teacher, I help shape my students’ earliest understandings of Africa. Sharing picture books, artwork, and videos created by Africans helps students learn directly from people whose communities we are studying. When evaluating resources, I’ve learned to ask: Who is telling this story? Whose perspective are we hearing? Whose voices might still be missing? I also depend on resources such as Africa Access and the Children’s Africana Book Awards to guide my selections.

Dumor emphasizes the importance of telling balanced stories of Africa. There is much good news to share, but there is also an obligation to tell stories of challenge. This made me think about the value of sharing stories of African changemakers who are addressing challenges in their own communities.