Akilah S. Richards

Akilah S. Richards is an American author, speaker, podcaster, and advocate for unschooling and self-directed education, particularly within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities [1]. She is the founder of the Raising Free People Network and the host of the long-running podcast Fare of the Free Child [2]. Her work focuses on decolonizing parenting, healing from "schoolishness," and fostering "confident autonomy" in children and adults [3]. She is the author of the book Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work (PM Press, 2020) [4].

Early life and education

Richards was born and raised in Jamaica, where she experienced a traditional, British-Caribbean education system focused on academic achievement and "perfectionism" [5]. She later migrated to the United States with her family. She excelled academically, earning a full scholarship to graduate school, which she ultimately declined because she was "done with schooling" [5]. Prior to becoming an advocate for unschooling, she worked as a certified paralegal and freelance writer [5][6].

Unschooling journey and philosophy

The transition to unschooling

Richards and her husband, Kris, initially followed a conventional path, buying a home in a neighborhood with good schools and focusing on career advancement [5]. Their journey toward unschooling began with their eldest daughter, Marley, who was labeled "gifted and talented" in kindergarten and subjected to extensive testing that caused her to miss recess [5][7]. Concerns grew when the school proposed placing seven-year-old Marley in a fourth-grade classroom with no transition plan, highlighting a focus solely on academics rather than the whole child [5][7].

After both daughters expressed increasing frustration with the rigidity and lack of autonomy in school, Richards and her husband withdrew them [5]. They initially tried virtual schooling but soon realized they were still replicating a school-like environment [5]. Discovering the term "unschooling" through resources like Seth Godin's manifesto Stop Stealing Dreams and the work of John Holt, Pat Farenga, and Peter Gray, they embraced a child-led, curiosity-driven approach to learning [5][8].

Core philosophy: Raising free people

Richards describes unschooling not just as an educational alternative, but as a "liberation and healing work" [4][9]. A central concept in her work is "confident autonomy," which she defines as a deep knowledge of self and the skills to navigate the world, advocate for oneself, and maintain healthy relationships [3]. She emphasizes that "freedom is individual, liberation is collective," framing unschooling as a way to resist the "schoolishness" that permeates society—the coercive, hierarchical, and performance-based habits instilled by traditional schooling [3][10]. She encourages parents to engage in "deschooling," which involves examining their own conditioned beliefs about education and parenting [3][11]. She also introduces the concept of a "savor complex" as an alternative to a "savior complex," encouraging parents to slow down, observe, and be present with their children's experiences [3].

Career and advocacy

Fare of the Free Child podcast

Richards is the creator and host of the Fare of the Free Child podcast, which ran from 2016 to 2023, releasing 273 episodes [2]. The podcast focused on BIPOC families practicing unschooling and self-directed, decolonized living and learning [1]. Each episode examined ways coercive habits have been normalized in adult-child relationships and offered pathways toward trust, respect, and liberation [1]. The podcast featured numerous guests and became a key resource for families exploring unschooling, particularly within communities of color.

Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work

In 2020, Richards published her book Raising Free People with PM Press [4]. The book explores the transition from school or homeschooling to unschooling, addressing the practical and emotional challenges families face. It delves into how unschooling can help address generational trauma, unlearn harmful habits, and build systems where all humans can learn and thrive [9]. The book also examines unschooling from the perspective of single parents, families facing financial challenges, and the specific context of Blackness and decolonization [9].

Coaching and current work

Through her Raising Free People Network, Richards offers coaching and workshops [4]. She has developed a "savor complex" coaching practice to help people slow down, attend to their experiences, and integrate their insights [3]. Her work has evolved to include grief literacy education as a Certified Integrative Thanatologist. She hosts "What I Let Die," a podcast on grief literacy, and co-created "Bringing Flowers," exploring the interplay between grief and joy. She also created the "Raising Free People Practice Card Deck" to support families in embodying the principles of unschooling.

Media appearances and public commentary

Richards has been featured in national media, including Good Morning America, where she shared insights on unschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic [10]. She has also been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Essence, and Real Simple magazines [6]. She has appeared on numerous podcasts, including "Tilt Parenting" and "Living Joyfully," to discuss raising free people, decolonizing parenting, and the principles of unschooling [3][8]. She has delivered a TEDx talk on unschooling and liberation [3].

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