Curriculum

The Woodson Center brings its free, K-12 Black History and Excellence curriculum to life with our American Heroes animations! These are the empowering stories of Black Americans whose tenacity and resilience enabled them to overcome adversity and make invaluable contributions to our country.

Civil rights movement veteran Bob Woodson, Sr. founded the Woodson Center more than 40 years ago to empower residents of low-income neighborhoods to become agents of their own uplift.

In 2020, The Woodson Center extended that mission into the nation’s classrooms and began producing its K-12 Black History and Excellence curriculum. Teaching these lesser-known stories of Black Americans who achieved against the odds improves a student’s knowledge, cognitive and emotional development, decision-making skills, and gives them hope and inspiration. The lessons cover figures that faced barriers but triumphed through grit and a commitment to excellence. Through these lessons, watch your students take charge of their futures as they grow in competence, agency, and resilience! These lessons in black American excellence are free and publicly available for all.

The Johns Hopkins Report on Our Curriculum

Testimonials

“The Woodson Center curriculum is a gamechanger. Their principles of resilience, inspiration, and integrity have changed the way I teach Black History. I no longer just teach that one narrative of hardship and pain, though I believe they are crucial components in Black History and should never be taken lightly. But I also think that teaching students about the resiliency of Black Americans is important. Because of the Woodson Center curriculum, I learned about Robert Smalls, a man who escaped slavery, captured a Confederate ship, and played a cucial role during the Civil War. I also taught my students about the Golden 13; I’d never heard of them before the Woodson Center curriculum. They were the first black Americans to graduate from the Naval Academy, outscoring everyone, despite their personal circumstances and despite racism. A message my students gained from that was, no matter what your circumstances are –no matter what you’ve been through– you can achieve. I believe that because of these lessons, my students are more confident, knowledgeable, and certainly empowered.”

Donique Rolle

Florida public school educator

“Thank you and keep up the great work. I look forward to using the educational materials with my ninth grade ELA students this fall.”

“This was a great webinar! I was informed on amazing resources that our organization can use and implement into our program.”

“Beyond Excellent. Rich, thoughtful, and multilayered content infused with values. Huge thank you.”

From our 2025 Bring Black History to Life webinar

“The leaders of this course were exceptional. They were all positive, welcoming, excellent listeners. I think I have just touched on the depth of what all is available, tailored to school.”

From our 2024 Professional Development Course

Curriculum Download

Please find our cutting-edge curriculum below for download. Thank you for helping educate the next generation of Americans!

Access to All Lessons is Free With Registration

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Our supplementary Black history curriculum responds to fashionable narratives of despair with true stories of struggle, triumph, hope, and resilience.

    Free Poster

    Download our free high school and K-8 lessons about compelling stories of black Americans who broke barriers and achieved against the odds, and get this FREE poster for your classroom.

    Free Poster

    Download our free high school and K-8 lessons about compelling stories of black Americans who broke barriers and achieved against the odds, and get this FREE poster for your classroom.

    Download Now

    One-pager

    Our supplementary Black history curriculum responds to fashionable narratives of despair with true stories of struggle, triumph, hope, and resilience.

    Download Now

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