Black At: Voices Unheard, Truths Revealed
A Movement for Truth, Healing, and Accountability in Education
Across Los Angeles and beyond, a wave of Instagram accounts—@BlackAtHarvardWestlake, @BlackAtOakwood, @BlackAtBuckley, and more—have emerged to share powerful, first-hand testimonies of racism within the walls of some of the nation’s most elite independent schools. Created by current students and alumni, these digital platforms expose the untold stories that have long existed behind curated school brochures and polished diversity statements.
These accounts were born from pain and powered by purpose. Stories shared include incidents of blatant racism, everyday microaggressions, tokenization, and erasure—experiences far too common among Black students in predominantly white private institutions. In recounting these experiences, students are demanding change—and refusing to be silenced.
The Role of Truth-Telling
The #BlackAt movement reflects a collective refusal to normalize silence or settle for performative allyship. Students are leveraging the power of storytelling to challenge systemic racism in educational spaces, especially following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. As institutions issued statements of solidarity, students responded with raw, honest truth: “Words aren’t enough.”
At the center of these efforts is accountability. Many schools responded with apologies, town halls, and DEI initiatives—but for the students behind the posts, change isn’t just about institutional gestures. It’s about reckoning with truth, creating lasting systems of support, and ensuring Black students are seen, heard, and valued.
“The challenge for schools now is not simply in knowing these truths—but in having the courage to act on them with integrity and sustained effort.”
— Ralinda Watts, DEI Practitioner & Founder of RalindaSpeaks
What the Stories Tell Us
Through these anonymous posts, a stark pattern emerges:
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Black students accused of stealing, mistaken for others, or assumed to be athletes or props for brochures.
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English classes devoid of Black authors, or ones that weaponize language with no cultural context.
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Being present for optics, but silenced in voice and leadership.
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Students sharing incidents with administration but receiving little to no resolution.
Continuing the Work
The Black At movement is not just a moment—it is a mandate. RalindaSpeaks is committed to amplifying these voices, educating communities, and guiding institutions through the long-term work of justice, healing, and institutional reform.
If you are an educator, administrator, or community member who wants to begin or deepen this journey:
Learn from the stories
Invest in racial literacy and equity training
Engage in truth, repair, and transformation
Follow the Movement
@BlackAtHarvardWestlake | @BlackAtBuckley | @BlackAtOakwood | @BlackAtCampbell | @DearPolytechnic | @OaksChristianStories
These stories reveal more than the past—they reveal a truth that demands response. Now that you know, what will you do?