Strength through Diversity: Harlem Prep and the Rise of Multiculturalism

For nearly seven years, from 1967 to 1974, many hundreds of bright, college-going youthmost of whom had previously been labeled as high school dropoutswould proudly celebrate their graduation from Harlem Prep, a small educational experiment that grew to become a nationally renowned, cherished community institution in the iconic Black neighborhood of Harlem. Operating in a repurposed supermarket that used blackboards as classroom dividers, the schools unique multicultural philosophy inspired all who stepped foot inside. This philosophy, exemplified by the schools motto of unity through diversity, shaped the schools ethos, fostered student achievement, and, most of all, made Harlem Prep distinct from any other educational institution, past or present. In Strength through Diversity, Barry M. Goldenberg shares the history of this one-of-a-kind multicultural institution from its rise to its apex and decline, revealing the collective stories of hope, struggle, and love from administrators, teachers, community members, and students. Using history as a blueprint, Goldenberg illustrates the untapped potential of multicultural education in the ongoing quest for educational equity.
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