iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My latest Substack is out: “When Labor Became Laboring: Griggs v. Duke Power and the Meaning of Labor Day.” Eight years into this work, I’m still finding new ways to tell the story of the 14 Black men at the heart of Griggs. substack.com/home/post/p-... #BHM2026 #BlackLivesMatters #LaborDay

Black Friday History Post: When Labor Became Laboring: Griggs v. Duke Power and the Meaning of Labor Day

Black Friday History Post #80

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Captain Mark Kelly @captmarkkelly.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Before losing her life in 1986 aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, Christa McAuliffe was set to be the first teacher in space with plans to teach a lesson to kids around the world from orbit. Today is her birthday, and even now, her courage and dedication to education continues to inspire.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I was honored to write the Introductory Notes for the Sept./Oct. issue of Social Studies and the Young Learner! It also reminded me: K–12 social studies is a continuum. What happens in one classroom becomes the foundation for the next. Proud to be part of NCSS. #NCSS #NHTOY2025 #TeachTruth

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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 22/08/2026

And since Trump and Republicans don’t really care about the Constitution: Obama 2028.

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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I want to live in a country where the food is safe—and the pedophiles are not. #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles

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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 20/08/2026

The Bureau of Land Management is rounding up thousands of mustangs around the U.S. and quietly selling them on the cheap to buyers who are exporting them for slaughter abroad, an examination of government records by The New York Times found. nyti.ms/4grb8Co

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AFT @aft.org · 20/08/2026

"Higher education is not a luxury...It expands opportunity. It advances scientific discovery. It educates the people who build our economy. It prepares citizens to govern themselves. And it creates knowledge that no market can produce on its own." - @proftwolf.bsky.social @aaup.org

insidehighered.com

Who Really Politicized Higher Education? (opinion)

It wasn’t the AAUP.

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AFT @aft.org · 20/08/2026

Where we spend money reflects what we stand for. For back-to-school, we’re encouraging people to put their dollars behind businesses that support union values—not ones working to undermine public ed, our democracy and union rights. Find local stores that support these values ▶️ ShopSmart.AFT.org.

shopsmart.aft.org

Shop Smart, Not Target

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AFT @aft.org · 19/08/2026

When SNAP participation declines, families lose access to food, communities lose federal dollars, and local economies suffer. Congress can take action to reverse the harm and strengthen SNAP.

media0.giphy.com

https://media0.giphy.com

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AFT @aft.org · 19/08/2026

Together we accomplish what is impossible alone. Congratulations to New York City school support professionals on this huge victory. 🎉✊ @psrp-aft.bsky.social

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AFT @aft.org · 19/08/2026

Where we spend our money reflects what we stand for. This back-to-school season, let’s put our dollars behind local businesses that support workers, families and their communities—not Target. www.shopsmart.aft.org

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

New Black Friday History Post: America 250 and the Story I Almost Missed: Finding Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse The discovery of 43 Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse is a reminder that Black history is woven into the nation's founding story. open.substack.com/pub/valencia...

Black Friday History Post: America 250 and the Story I Almost Missed-Finding Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

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As America approaches its 250th anniversary, I reflect on the Ohio River as a powerful symbol of freedom, hope, and the distance between America's promises and its realities. Just published on Substack: Black Friday History Post: The River Between Promise and Freedom. substack.com/home/post/p-...

Black Friday History Post: The River Between Promise and Freedom

Black Friday History Post #51

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

📚 And so the season begins! Honored to once again serve on the 2026 Carter G. Woodson Book Awards committee through the National Council for History Education. Authors, illustrators, and publishers, don’t forget those submissions! Let the reading begin! 📖✨ #NCSS2026 #NHTOY #Read

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Reposted by Valencia Abbott

My Black Friday History post is live on Substack. Reading The Davenports introduced me to C. R. Patterson, whose story challenged me to expand my understanding of Black entrepreneurship and innovation. substack.com/home/post/p-...

Black Friday History Post: Beyond the Forgotten Narrative: C. R. Patterson and the Black Entrepreneurs and Innovators Who Built America

Black Friday History Post #70

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

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Congratulations Everyone!!! #NHTOY2025 #NCHTOY2025

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

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My latest BFHP is live on Substack. I read With Love From Harlem to learn more about Hazel Scott. Came away wrestling with the reality that I can recognize the historical significance of someone I wouldn’t have liked personally. And I didn’t like Scott’s husband, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

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Pops @pops131.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I support Zohran in demonstrating to the United States the appropriate treatment of all citizens.

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AFT @aft.org · 07/08/2026

Every day, educators find new ways to support students and one another. This week's #PublicSchoolProud stories celebrate educators putting books into kids' hands, helping new teachers prepare their classrooms and connecting students to careers of the future.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

My latest Black Friday History Post is live: Black Educators: A History Still Being Made. If you’ve ever had another teacher make space for you, encourage you, inspire you, or support you, this one is for you. valenciaabbott.substack.com/p/black-frid...

valenciaabbott.substack.com

Black Friday History Post-Black Educators: A History Still Being Made

Black Friday History Post #71

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AFT @aft.org · 07/08/2026

In a new AFT Voices, retiree Felicia Bruce reminds members that retirement is not the end of union activism—it’s a new chapter. Bruce calls on unions to engage retirees in political action, organizing, outreach and advocacy, reinforcing the message that activists never retire.

aftvoices.org

Still organizing, still fighting

By Felicia Bruce

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

valenciaabbott.substack.com

Black Friday History Post-Black Educators: A History Still Being Made

Black Friday History Post #71

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MrPassportKing @mrpassportking.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Republican rep Virginia Foxx is 83 years-old. She needs to leave congress as well. Let's put an end to her 20+ years of damage. North Carolina's 5th Congressional District deserves better than this Trumper. Vote for Democratic candidate Chuck Hubbard. #NC #Midterm2026

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Black Friday History Post: Beyond the Forgotten Narrative: C. R. Patterson and the Black Entrepreneurs and Innovators Who Built America

Black Friday History Post #70

AFT @aft.org · 31/07/2026

Reposted by Valencia Abbott

Happy #PublicSchoolProud Friday! Public schools are about more than what happens in a classroom. This week's stories celebrate educators and school staff opening doors to future careers, standing by students in difficult moments and helping communities recover after disaster.

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AFT @aft.org · 24/07/2026

When 35% of people say their finances have gotten worse in just the last few months & only 15% say they're doing better, that should be a wake-up call. Working families are telling us they need relief from rising costs, not policies that make life harder. navigatorresearch.org/high-costs-r...

navigatorresearch.org

High Costs Raise Worries in the Battleground | Navigator Research

This Navigator Research report covers perceptions of rising costs and the economy.

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DC Public Library @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A gentle reminder: libraries are still here, still free, still open to everyone. No appointment required. No subscription fee. Just walk in.

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AFT @aft.org · 19/07/2026

Good morning from day 4 of our AFT Convention! We’re thrilled to kick off the final day of our gathering with our Women’s Rights Breakfast. Follow along in the thread below.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

📚 History teacher nerd mode: ACTIVATED! Next week: the 2026 Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute. New books. New primary sources. New scholarship. New conversations. That's my happy place. The best history teachers never stop being history students. #HistoryEd #America250

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

What if Juneteenth isn't just about the end of slavery but about the difference between freedom declared and freedom delivered? My Black Friday History Post explores Juneteenth through the lens of America 250, North Carolina's "When Are We Us?" theme, and the long pursuit of America's promises.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Black Friday History Post: The River Between Promise and Freedom

Black Friday History Post #51

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Black Friday History Post: America 250 and the Story I Almost Missed-Finding Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse

Retro Report @retroreport.org · 28/05/2026

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Use your free teacher account on Retro Report's website to browse and save free, classroom-ready student activities. Learn about some of our most popular student activities this spring: retroreport.org/articles/best-of-sp…

retroreport.org

Best Of Spring: Most Popular Student Activities of 2026 So Far - Retro Report

Retro Report is an independent, nonprofit newsroom creating trusted documentary videos and classroom resources.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Check out this book on Goodreads: Until the Last Gun Is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America's Soul www.goodreads.com/book/show/23... #TeacherSummer2026 #SummerRead #NHTOY #NCHTOY @gliamericanhistory.bsky.social

goodreads.com

Until the Last Gun Is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, th…

The untold story of the Black patriots—from soldiers in…

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Zinn Education Project @zinnedproject.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Looking for a children's book to pair with the National Spelling Bee in the news? Check out "How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee" by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. #TeachOutsideTextbook www.zinnedproject.org/materials/ho...

zinnedproject.org

How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee

Picture Book. By Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. 2023. 40 pages. The story of eighth grader MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee, and...

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Author Myron J. Clifton @deardean22.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Yep. I’m a leftist. 1 of 2

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Citizen.Coping @propcazhpm.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

A 4th grade teacher asked students to write letter to a changemaker on something important to them. A little boy sent his letter on tax credits for electric vehicles to Rep. Foxx (NC-R). She attacked him and his teacher in her response while citing misinformation. They need to vote her OUT.

youtu.be

‘Unhinged’: MAGA lawmaker melts down over 10-year-old’s letter

YouTube video by MS NOW

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Hillary Rodham Clinton @hillaryclinton.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

When Elaine Weiss was working on her new book, "Spell Freedom," she thought she was writing history. But so many themes from this book are back in today's headlines.

The cover of Spell Freedom by Elaine Weiss

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Zinn Education Project @zinnedproject.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Keep learning all summer! ☀️ Join a virtual ‘Teaching for Black Lives’ study group. Pre-K–12 educators will explore how to teach about racism, resistance, and joy. Participants receive the ‘Teaching for Black Lives’ book & a ‘Rethinking Schools’ magazine subscription. Learn more and sign up: ⬇️

zinnedproject.org

National Teaching for Black Lives Summer Study Group

In the summer of 2026, the Zinn Education Project will host and facilitate a Teaching for Black Lives study group for educators across the United States.

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Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Memorial Day release: Echoes of Black Veterans my newest Black Friday History Post is now live on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/valencia...

Black Friday History Post: Echoes of Black Veterans

Valencia Abbott @vannabbott.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Memorial Day release: Echoes of Black Veterans my newest Black Friday History Post is now live on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/valencia...

Black Friday History Post: Echoes of Black Veterans