OUR MISSION
We aim to create a pipeline of CARING teachers.
The Watts of Power Foundation (WPF) develops diverse educators from historically marginalized backgrounds who transform the lives of young people across Los Angeles County. Through healing-centered mentorship, affordable housing, workforce development, and educator preparation, we help transition-age foster youth, first-generation college students, and other young adults overcome systemic barriers and build meaningful careers in education. Our mission is to create pathways to economic mobility while ensuring that students in historically underserved communities are taught by educators who reflect their identities, understand their lived experiences, and inspire them to thrive.
WHAT WE OFFER
TRAINING
The Components of Care is one course with multiple modules addressing the need for care in our classrooms and in our schools.
PATHWAYS
Our TVI Rise work entails a 6-year structured, deeply supported pathway for foster youth from high school through college and career, toward a stable and thriving future.
SUPPORT
The Village Initiative is a program that addresses the social, emotional, and housing needs of Black male teachers-in-training.
BUY BACK
THE BLOCK
HOUSING POLICY
In addition to our Teacher Village Housing, we have developed a policy platform, “Buy Back the Block”, centered on a reparative approach to make homeownership possible for educators again.
When was the first time you had a Black teacher in your K-12 experience?
Only 2% of teachers in the American education system are black men.
Why are there so few? Black men are not only multiply-burdened with respect to pursuing careers in education, but also face high expenses of credentialing such as cost of housing, tuition, and a lack of support.
We have a vision to see 120 new Black educators in Los Angeles over the next 10 years, positively impacting the lives of public school students. To date we have a network of 84 Black educators impacting over 6,300 K-12 students in Los Angeles, California.
“Having a Black teacher at a school in the inner city of Los Angeles showed me “Greatness can always be achieved.” It created a community where things like excelling past society’s expectations for Black people became the norm.”
— Brittney Samuels (UC Berkley Graduate)
Be a Part of the Impact.
