The Silk Stocking Sisters

In this thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada explores the often-overlooked role of Black boys in school integration. As the author of Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters, Dr. Canada revisits the powerful experiences of seven young Black and Brown girls who integrated P.S. 6, a predominantly white school in New York City. While their stories highlight strength and perseverance, this episode turns the spotlight toward the rarely told voices of the few Black boys who were also part of that desegregation effort.

Dr. Canada reflects on the limited number, just two Black boys, who entered P.S. 6 during the experiment and raises an important question: why were there so few? Together, we unpack the historical, cultural, and social factors that could have influenced these dynamics, including concerns for the safety of Black boys in predominantly white spaces during the 1960s and 70s.