Nikole Hannah-Jones Reflects on School Choice and Its Impact

Nikole Hannah-Jones, a New York Times Magazine reporter and creator of the 1619 Project, recently admitted she regrets aspects of sending her daughter to predominantly Black, low-income public schools in Brooklyn, New York. The decision, made a decade ago, aimed to challenge school segregation. However, Hannah-Jones revealed her daughter, now 16, expressed dissatisfaction with her education during a recent conversation.

In a new essay published in New York Times Magazine, Hannah-Jones shared her reflections upon revisiting emails with her daughter Najya’s teachers and principals. Confronting what she described as an undeniable truth, she expressed regret, acknowledging that her daughter deserved better.

“Now I felt overcome with regret. Najya deserved better,” Hannah-Jones admitted, emphasizing her responsibility as a parent.

She addressed Fox News Digital on Sunday, stating the broader conversation should focus on families without access to improved educational options.

Hannah-Jones urged people to consider the struggles of the thousands of Black children whose parents lack the resources to pursue better schools.

“As I write in the piece, there is no absolution to be had for any of us,” she stated.

Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, responded to Hannah-Jones’ essay, emphasizing the need for parents to prioritize their children’s individual educational needs.

“Parents should not sacrifice their children to a failing government school system,” DeAngelis commented, welcoming Hannah-Jones to the school choice movement.

He argued that pulling her daughter from the failing school system and embracing school choice could have led to improvements through competition.

The realization culminated in a candid conversation between Hannah-Jones and Najya, during which she apologized.

“I feel like you got cheated,” Hannah-Jones said, acknowledging her daughter’s dissatisfaction with the education received.

Najya shared her disappointment, wishing her education had been given more weight over broader concerns about educational inequality. “Sometimes I wish instead of always thinking about other kids, you would have thought about me,” Najya remarked.

The essay highlighted academic issues, such as limited homework, inexperienced teachers, and gaps in math preparation. Unison Principal Emily Paige acknowledged attempts to accommodate students academically behind, admitting that lowering homework expectations can result in hidden racism.

“It’s racism under the guise of antiracism,” Paige observed.

DeAngelis suggested Hannah-Jones support education funding policies empowering families to choose schools that best suit their needs.

“School choice is an equalizer,” he commented.

Currently, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul aims to join a federal tax-credit scholarship program opposed by teachers’ unions. Designed to help families afford educational options, the program remains contentious.

The 1619 Project aims to reframe American history by focusing on slavery and racism. While receiving liberal praise, it faces scrutiny from historians who challenge its claims. Despite criticism, the theories have been developed into an educational curriculum with Pulitzer Center support.

Fox News Digital reached out to New York Public Schools for comment; however, no response was obtained.

CJ Womack, a Fox News associate editor, joined Fox News Digital in 2026 and has years of experience analyzing and reporting on media’s role in shaping politics and culture.