schools
‘We Deserve Wellness. It Is Our Birthright.’
Summary by The Houston Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Word In Black , Defender Network
· July 23, 2026
· 5 min read
Written by Aaliyah Amos and originally published by Word in Black When Ashley McGirt-Adair was 9 years old, she began journaling to cope with depression and suicidal thoughts after her grandmother died. What she found instead of care was a white school counselor who didn’t understand what that lo...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Houston Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Word In Black, Defender Network Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway “She didn’t understand the role of grandmothers in Black families, so at a very young age I found myself having to educate a grown white woman on race relations in America,” McGirt-Adair says.
Why this matters in The Houston
In Houston, where the city's own school district serves a diverse student body, the need for culturally competent care is particularly pressing. The experience of Ashley McGirt-Adair, who had to educate a white school counselor about the significance of her grandmother's role in her Black family, is a stark reminder of the gaps in understanding that can exist in schools. As Houston Independent School District continues to serve students from various backgrounds, it is crucial that educators and counselors are equipped to provide trauma-informed care that acknowledges the unique experiences of Black children. The city's history of racial tension and its ongoing struggles with social inequality make it an important location for initiatives like McGirt-Adair's Therapy Fund Foundation to take root, providing free mental health services and promoting community accountability. By supporting such efforts, Houston can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for its students to thrive.
About this story
Original reporting by Defender Network . The Houston surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Defender Network . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: Defender Network ·
Reading time: 5 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Written by Aaliyah Amos and originally published by Word in Black When Ashley McGirt-Adair was 9 years old, she began journaling to cope with depression and suicidal thoughts after her grandmother died. What she found instead of care was a white school counselor who didn’t understand what that lo...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by Defender Network and curated for The Houston readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Word In Black at Defender Network. To learn more about how The Houston selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Houston, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More schools →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter