The Battle for the Black Mind delves into the complex history of Black education in the United States from the end of the Civil War in 1865 until the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954. Dr. Karida Brown explores the struggle to define and control the education of African Americans amid shifting societal attitudes and forms of systemic exclusion.

From the perspective of freed slaves seeking empowerment and liberation through education, to the white elites aiming to shape the future of the workforce and consolidate power, The Battle for the Black Mind explores the formation of segregated education systems and the influence of philanthropic organizations, religious institutions, and Black educators themselves in shaping these structures. It also examines the global reach of these education models, particularly their impact on African societies under colonial rule.

Ultimately, Dr. Brown presents a critical investigation of the foundational roots of racial inequality in American education, arguing that it wasn't just about the separation of institutions but about controlling access to the ideals of American democracy.

Karida L. Brown is a sociologist, oral historian, and a Professor of Sociology at Emory University. She is the co-author of The New Brownies’ Book, winner of an NAACP Image Award. She holds master’s in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Brown University. Dr. Brown lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and their two pugs.