A Litany for Survival: Un-hushing Oral Histories and Lessons from Black Educators

Marlee Bunch

This project centers the histories of Black educators whose work shaped classrooms and communities during one of the most pivotal eras in American history. Inspired by my grandmother—one of the first Black women asked to desegregate schools in Hattiesburg, Mississippi—I seek to honor and document the often-overlooked contributions of educators like her. Through oral histories with past and contemporary teachers, this study examines how Black educators cultivated culturally responsive, liberatory classrooms while navigating systemic inequity and preparing students for both citizenship and survival. Building on my doctoral research and 18 years in education, this work expands the historical record and makes these narratives accessible to teachers, scholars, and communities. At a moment when history and culture are increasingly at risk in schools, this project advocates for preserving marginalized histories and offers a timely corrective, reminding us how education can be a vehicle for justice and healing. By connecting the past to contemporary educational challenges, this book, A Litany for Survival, intervenes in ongoing debates over curriculum, equity, and whose stories are deemed worthy of remembrance. It urges educators to reclaim oral history and storytelling as radical, culturally sustaining practices. A unique feature of this project includes QR codes that allow readers to scan and hear participants' voices alongside their stories. In doing so, this work not only contributes to the historiography of Black education but also equips educators committed to teaching history honestly and honoring the full humanity of their students. Artwork by Kevin Demery, audio recordings by Kennedy Vincent.

About Marlee Bunch

Dr. Marlee S. Bunch is an interdisciplinary educator, scholar, and author, dedicated to illuminating untold stories and fostering human-centered, inclusive learning spaces. With over a decade of teaching experience across secondary and post-secondary classrooms, she has consistently championed equitable, rigorous, and reflective education. Dr. Bunch earned her doctoral degree in Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership with an emphasis in Diversity and Equity from the University of Illinois. She also holds an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from DePaul University, an M.S. in Gifted Education, and an ESL certification. Her research centers on the oral histories of Black female educators in Mississippi who taught during the Civil Rights era (1954–1970), preserving their narratives as both historical record and source of contemporary wisdom. Her publications include The Magnitude of Us (Teachers College Press, 2024), Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era (University of Illinois Press, 2025), and Leveraging AI for Human-Centered Learning: Culturally Responsive and Social-Emotional Classroom Practice in Grades 6-12, co-authored with Brittany R. Collins (Routledge, 2025).