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LiberatED PodcastAuthor: Kerry McDonald
The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families. This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master's degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org. Language: en Genres: Education, Education for Kids, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Why More Black Families Are Choosing Homeschooling—and What Comes Next
Episode 371
Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Kalecia Simmons, founder of The Black Homeschools, about how one parent's search for support grew into a thriving homeschooling community serving more than 1,100 Black families across the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area—and beyond. Kalecia shares her personal journey homeschooling her eight children, the early challenges that motivated her to create a space specifically for African American homeschoolers, and the persistence it took to build trust and momentum—from park meetups with no attendees to massive field trips and events. She explains how The Black Homeschools has evolved into a resource hub offering curriculum guidance, coaching, enrichment classes, NCAA athletics support, and college preparation, all rooted in community and cultural connection. The conversation also explores the broader rise in Black homeschooling, shifting perceptions of homeschooling as a viable and respected educational path, and Kalecia's ambitious vision for the future—including expansion. This episode is an inspiring look at what's possible when parents trust themselves and build the communities their children—and others—need. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!
