Atheline set out to improve the school environment for Black students by providing motivation and addressing Black students’ needs, representing them and acting on their behalf in their relations with white teachers, the school system, and police. She found that without the intervention of Black educators, students were routinely underestimated and subject to prejudice in the school system. In her role as a Black educator, Atheline wanted to transform the experience of Black students and prevent the system from cheating them out of the educational experience they deserve. Atheline believes that the presence of Black educators improves the school environment for Black students while they are present, however, the environment tends to revert to being hostile when there is no one there to represent them. In her interview, Atheline reflects on the emotional toll of advocacy work and describes it at times as embarrassing and painful. However, she feels that her work had a positive effect on the school environment and had a significant impact on students’ educational experience.