The Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) produced television and print ads in 2000 and 2001 as part of a national school choice information project. BAEO, headquartered in Washington D.C., is a membership organization, which provides information to the public about a broad range of educational options. The ads feature parents who use school choice programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland and Florida, as well as elected officials who support school choice. The ads aired in Florida and the Washington, D.C. area for several months during 2000 and 2001.

Introduction by Kaleem Caire, former BAEO President and CEO (17.7 MB)

Elected Officials

Mayor John Norquist (3.9 MB)
The Democratic mayor of Milwaukee says school vouchers have given public schools in Milwaukee an incentive to improve.

Public School Board Member Ken Johnson (3.9 MB)
A labor union member and a member of the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors, Ken Johnson has seen firsthand that school choice has had a positive effect on public schools.


Milwaukee Parents

Tony Higgins (3.7 MB)
Tony Higgins, a single dad, talks about his hopes for his two daughters and how school choice makes those dreams possible. "For me personally, school choice is not a political issue; it's a family issue."

Dorothy Smith (3.7 MB)
A loving foster mother of seven, Dorothy Smith has four children in the Milwaukee school choice program. "I don't know where my children would be without the choice program."



Cleveland Parents

Fannie Lewis (3.6 MB)
A long-time member of the Cleveland City Council, Fannie Lewis is raising two grandchildren who participate in Cleveland's choice prannieogram. "A child will have a much better chance at getting an education if the parents have a choice."

Eulanda Johnson (3.6 MB)
Eulanda Johnson works for the Cleveland public schools and is using a voucher to send Ebony to private school. "If my daughter gets a good education, society will benefit, believe me!"

Roberta Kitchen (3.6 MB)
Roberta Kitchen rescued five neglected children by becoming their legal guardian. "Had the vouchers not come along, I'm not sure how I would have been able to make sure that my children got a good education."



Florida Parents

Tenise Hobbs (3.7 MB)
Tenise and Vernon Hobbs work full-time and have six children. Five of them weren't learning to read in public school. A scholarship program now pays a portion of their private school tuition. While it's a financial struggle to pay the rest, Tenise says it's worthwhile. "Now my children are learning to read."

Selma Curtis (3.6 MB)
Selma Curtis is a policewoman and a mother of three. Her daughter Kenya has cerebral palsey. "Through the McKay Scholarship, students with disabilities have an opportunity to attend a private school of their choice."

Stephanie Beauduy (3.6 MB)
Stephanie Beauduy has two children in public school. One attends a magnet school and the other has had his life turned around because of an innovative charter school. "I saw the difference the charter school has made on my son."