ORLANDO, Fla. — A new task force is planning to take on the governor and the Florida Board of Education – pushing to reverse changes recently made regarding social studies curriculums.


What You Need To Know

  • New task force made of religious leaders, scholars and historians take on the Governor of Florida

  • Group is pleading with Tallahassee to modify history lessons in Florida schools

  • Leaders say current school lessons on slavery need to be changed to be accurate

  • Task force wants to create “freedom schools” to teach their own history

The group, which calls itself the 'Task Force for Teaching Our Own History,' wants lessons to reflect an authentic and factual model of African American history in America.

Course changes were made earlier this year by the Florida School Board of Education that includes instruction for middle schools to teach students how slavery helped slaves develop skills, which in some instances could be applied for their benefit.

Dr. R.B. Holmes, Jr., the task force chair for social justice ministry in Tallahassee, says African American history needs to be authentic and accurate for all K-12 students.

“We are going to take between August and February and put together a curriculum that is accurate and factual and say to the governor, here is our curriculum,” said Holmes.

Dr. Robert Spooney, pastor at Orlando’s Zion Missionary Church has been performing sermons here since 2010.

He attended today's press conference and agrees with their new mission.

“It’s political. We know that slavery was not good, “said Spooney.

The 72-year-old was baptized at his church which he says is the oldest African American church in Orlando.

“This task force is evidence that a line has been drawn in the sand as it relates to our history and legacy. As contributors to the history of not only the state of Florida but to the United States of America,” he said.

Aside from curriculum changes, the task force is hoping to start what they call “freedom schools.”

These would be independent schools that would teach history as they see fit.

Leaders say they would need funding for these schools.