The Business of Educating Black Parents, Teachers and Kids

September 25, 2026

Bolanle Ambonisye founded U&I-RISE, an education business focused on empowering Black parents and training educators, after recognizing that parents had relinquished their authority when they used her name as a teacher to discipline their children. Her approach, rooted in African-centered education principles, emphasizes teaching parents to reclaim their power by instructing children in obedience and self-discipline rather than solely addressing misbehavior. Starting with parent workshops in 2007, she expanded into public school contracts with districts like Ferguson-Florissant and St. Louis Public Schools, as well as developing classroom management training for educators.

Who is affected

Black families and parents seeking parenting education
Students in St. Louis Public Schools, particularly at Bertha Knox Gilkey Pamoja Preparatory Academy
Educators and teachers receiving classroom management training
School districts including Ferguson-Florissant School District and St. Louis Public Schools
Bolanle Ambonisye and her business U&I-RISE
Rashida Chatman (SLPS curriculum specialist who co-developed FLARES)

What action is being taken

Ambonisye is working to expand U&I-RISE's reach online and carve out an online niche for the company's African-centered material
She continues using feedback from parent groups and workshop participants to hone and promote her courses, books, and workshops
Pamoja Preparatory Academy requires parents to participate in Ambonisye's orientation workshop before children can enroll (this requirement remains in place today)

Why it matters

This work addresses a critical gap in parent empowerment within Black communities by helping parents reclaim their authority and develop children's self-discipline, which directly impacts students' ability to succeed academically. The approach challenges the stigma around seeking parenting education while providing culturally relevant, African-centered resources specifically designed for Black families. By training both parents and educators, the programs aim to create alignment between home and school environments, ultimately working toward solving broader Black community and family challenges.

What's next

Ambonisye is working to establish U&I-RISE's presence in the online marketplace and carve out a niche for its African-centered, Black parent-focused material in competition with other digital parenting resources.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint