We Did It! Wrapping Up Our First Full School Year 🌟

Peace & Light, Family!

It is with great pride and joy that we close out the final week of our first full school year at Nia Natal Academy. What a year it has been!

We kicked off strong in August with a simple hope: to offer meaningful classes to our community, giving my son and other Black homeschoolers near and far the opportunity to learn deeply and connect authentically. What began as the next leg of my educator journey (my postpartum "project" 😄) has grown into something far beyond what I could have imagined.

This year, our scholars dove deep into African Studies, expanded their literacy skills, wrote essays, narratives, and articles worthy of publishing, explored foods that fortify our cells, grounded themselves in their spirituality, and laid business foundations destined for greatness. Through our partnership with Homeschool HUEniversity this past semester, our homescholars had the opportunity to engage in excellent STEM courses, African Government, college readiness, and a number of other enriching electives. It has truly been a year.

I am so grateful that you trusted me to walk alongside you on this homeschooling journey.

I want to give a huge shoutout and heartfelt thanks to Baba Carlos for lifting this work and supporting the vision from day one. The children absolutely loved his class in the fall, and I look forward to all he'll bring in future semesters.

And a big, beautiful thank you to Mama Messina for jumping right in, teaching with passion, and showing up for our scholars in every sense of the word. Her tangible and energetic support during these foundational stages has meant so much and our scholars felt her love and wisdom in every class.

A few important notes as we close out the semester: If you opted in for grades this semester, those will be sent out in June. There will be no live NNA classes this week as we wrapped up on Thursday. However, Homeschool HUEniversity classes remain in session through Friday, May 29th. If your scholar has any unfinished work, I will be accepting missing assignment submissions through this Friday as well. 🌿

There are many exciting things in store for the future of NNA courses and our community — so stay tuned! ✨

The Summer Solstice is just around the corner, and I'll be sharing more soon about what's coming this summer and into the fall season. In the meantime, enjoy your well-deserved break until next season!

With Love & Strength, Mama Nia 🌙

P.S. — Honoring Memorial Day & the Black Soldiers Who Paved the Way 🖤

Today is Memorial Day, and as an African-centered community, we take this moment to remember and honor the Black soldiers whose service, sacrifice, and valor have too often been overlooked in the mainstream telling of American history.

From the United States Colored Troops (USCT) — over 180,000 Black men who fought for their own freedom and the freedom of their people during the Civil War — to the legendary Buffalo Soldiers, who served on the frontier after the war and built a legacy of excellence under some of the most hostile conditions imaginable. We honor the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I, the 369th Infantry Regiment, who fought longer than any other American unit and returned home heroes — only to be met with segregation and injustice on their own soil. We honor the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, who shattered every lie told about Black capability and courage.

These men and women did not fight simply for a flag — many fought for the promise of a freedom that had not yet been extended to them. Their sacrifice deserves to be spoken, taught, and remembered.

Honor them by knowing their names. Honor them by teaching your children. Honor them by continuing to build free. ✊🏾