Post Detail

Head of nonprofit that promotes school 'segregation' received $20M from Gates, Bezos foundations, among others

Sharif El-Mekki, a former middle and high school teacher and principal, lobbies for more Black teachers through the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED). 

The group's website describes its vision as a world where "all Black students have access to high-quality, Black teachers throughout their PreK-12 schooling" and where "all teachers demonstrate high levels of expertise in anti-racist mindsets."

Sharif El-Mekki testifies at a House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing. His nonprofit has over $19.5 million in assets, including funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, according to media reports. (House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education)

CBED has over $19.5 million in assets thanks to donations from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2020 and 2021, according to tax filings. 

CBED was founded with the goal of training teachers across the United States in "education activism," urging a "commitment to liberation education from the racism inherent in America’s institutions, including our schools." 

"Every lesson plan is a political document, and every classroom interaction a political statement," the guide states. 

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PRESIDENT’S HOME SPRAY-PAINTED WITH ANTI-ISRAEL MESSAGES 

El-Mekki appeared before congressional lawmakers in September when he spoke about the need to "rebuild the national Black teacher pipeline."

"For students of color, having teachers who share their background leads to improved student performance, higher graduation rates and increased college enrollment," he told the House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee.

He noted that Black teachers comprise only 7% of the teaching workforce, which presents "systemic barriers" that prevent many Black teachers from remaining in the profession. 

In 2023, the CBED trained 1,700 educators. 

El-Mekki, who made $233,410 a year from the organization, was reportedly raised by activists. His parents were members of the Black Panthers and moved to Iran when he was in middle school after his mother, Aisha El-Mekki, converted to Islam because "she wanted her children to witness a country united in its efforts to make a change."

"Iran produces more engineers and doctors, scientists, than many other countries," he said.