“Representation matters. Community matters. Our children deserve both.” Rasheeda Denning

The Heart Behind BHCFL

How Our Journey Began

Little did I know that this would be my path.
Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida was taking root many years before it ever became an organization.

It all began in 1998, the year our daughter Jamilia was diagnosed with leukemia at just eight years old. In that moment, our entire world shifted—and so did our understanding of education. Aggressive chemotherapy quickly led to heart failure, and doctors told us she would not live to see age nine. But God had a different plan.

She received a heart transplant at age nine, and then, with incredible strength, faced a second cancer—lymphoma—at age ten.

Hospitals, waiting rooms, our car, and our living room became our classroom.
And in those places, we learned a truth that still guides everything we do today:

“Parents are a child’s first teacher, and faith, hope, and love can carry us through anything.”

Homeschooling was not simply a choice.
It was a lifeline.
It gave us time.
It gave us hope.
It gave us the freedom to surround our children with love, culture, faith, and identity while navigating the unknown.

She journeyed through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood while fighting cancer, meeting each chapter with courage and light.

Against every prediction, Jamilia grew into a brilliant, creative, determined young woman. She graduated high school with honors, earned a college degree, and lived a life that inspired everyone around her. She transitioned at age 24, leaving behind a legacy of courage, light, and purpose that continues to guide our work every single day.

Although we cherished our time together as a family, I longed for our children to venture out, build friendships, and connect with other homeschooling families. Along this journey, we felt the isolation that so many Black homeschooling families experience.

Whether we were the only Black family in a group, or in spaces where our children were not truly welcomed, the message was clear: there was a deep need for community, connection, and representation.

Families needed a space where identity is celebrated, history is honored, and children can learn freely in an environment that nurtures them and reflects who they are. That realization became the spark that guided our mission and the foundation for the community we began to build.

What started with a handful of families has grown into a vibrant, multi-generational community. Over the years, we’ve served hundreds of children, expanded into a dedicated Resource Center and Learning Center, and built programs that nurture creativity, curiosity, and cultural pride. Families walk through our doors and immediately feel it—this is a place where they belong.

As our community grew, so did our vision. We knew that families needed more than occasional gatherings—they needed consistent support, educational resources, enrichment opportunities, and a true village they could rely on.

This led to the creation of classes, clubs, cultural unit studies, community projects, mentorship opportunities, and expanded spaces for learning and connection.

Each step has been shaped by the needs of families and anchored in our commitment to honoring identity, empowering learners, and strengthening the homeschooling journey.

“Today, Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida stands as a testament to what faith, perseverance, and community can build. What began as our family’s necessity has become a lifeline for others. My prayer is that every family who walks through our doors feels supported, empowered, and seen. Welcome to the BHCFL Village.”

— Rasheeda Denning, Founder & President