Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Bebe.
Hi Patricia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2014, I graduated college and became a Kindergarten teacher at a Title One school with a heavily diverse population of African American and Native American students. Working in such a culturally rich classroom and school I was immediately inspired to create a classroom environment that was empowering to the students that inhabited its space. I began to search for classroom decorations, products and resources that were non-stereotypical of my student’s background and heritage. However, I soon discovered that options on the market were very limited for teachers and educational institutions to purchase and use. So, in 2018 I decided to create a company and platform that would cater to the hue of every child beyond skin deep and that birthed Learninginhues. America is a vibrant nation but often in its education system the curriculum, instruction and structure does not always adequately acknowledge, commemorate or focus on all the diverse peoples and cultures that have helped to pave its inception and history. LearninginHues seeks to be a resource to not only teachers and educational personnel, but to communities, youth based organization and to any person and entity that desires to learn, celebrate and empower all people academically and personally.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not. As a teacher, we are often at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to pay which makes it extremely difficult at times to save and invest. Alongside this, knowledge of classroom decorations and products are limited and less popular than topics of instruction, curriculum and classroom based technological resources. This in turn made it difficult to receive aide or advice on the route to take to begin this important work and journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a fourth grade teacher, adult ESOL teacher, tutor and community advocate for the urban youth, parents and students of marginalized communities. I create community reading empowerment workshops for boys and girls for grades K-12 called Kings Read Too and Queens Read Too, where students are able to participate in an interactive and enhanced discussion accompanied with activities to delve into the importance of reading and how it correlates to the achievement gap, social justice and economic advancement. I bring exposure to diverse authors and books through my read aloud YouTube channel also called LearninginHues where I focus on authors and topics that are not as widely taught in regards to different cultures, ethnicities, religions and more. Throughout the city of Orlando, I collaborate with state representatives, neighborhood centers and nonprofit organizations and conduct parent forums on early childhood development, special education services, instructional use of readily available resources for educational advancement and more.
I am known for having high energy and innovative ideas and projects that have immediate impact, are community based, solution oriented and empowering. I am most proud of creating a brand that has expanded past a business that makes monetary gain but a platform that reaches, teaches and serves the needs of the disadvantaged, marginalized and often voiceless communities and peoples.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Every person you meet is a networking opportunity. There is not one job position that someone holds that should be ever be deemed as less inferior or too superior for you not to speak about your passion, goals and purpose with. Every human being is a connection. You just have to be willing to be kind, present, intentional and determined until you hit the right one.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@learninginhues.com
- Website: https://www.learninginhues.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learning_inhues/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LearninginHues/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCq29I_FPxdVYpWaeDYglC_w
