Raising $2 Million to Fix Special Education Inequality
Antoinette Banks has raised nearly $2 million to change how special education works for Black families. Her AI-powered platform, Expert IEP, helps parents understand and improve their children’s Individual Education Programs. As a result, thousands of families now have better tools to advocate for their kids.
A major boost came in 2023. Banks received $1 million from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize. She also secured funding from Camelback Ventures and NewSchools Venture Fund. Together, this support is helping her scale a tool that addresses bias, access, and cost barriers in special education.
However, this mission did not start in a boardroom. It started at home.
A Mother’s Fight After an Autism and ADHD Diagnosis
Banks’ daughter was diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder at age five. Later, Banks learned it was autism and ADHD. Doctors told her there was zero chance her daughter would have adult independence.
She also sought advice from a special education attorney. The attorney told her, “Black families don’t care enough about things like being autistic, so you might want to put her in a facility to give her the best shot.”
Instead of accepting that future, Banks chose a different path. She decided to understand how the brain works and why the system was failing families like hers.
From Community College to Cognitive Scientist at UC Davis
Banks began taking night classes at a community college. Eventually, she enrolled at UC Davis and earned a degree in cognitive science. During her undergraduate years, she focused her research on IEPs and how they impact families of color.
She built a database using real family experiences, most of them from Black and brown households. Then she compared her findings with Department of Education data. Patterns quickly emerged.
“Those are the main families who are not getting access to college or gainful employment or even more therapeutic care,” Banks said in an interview with Afrotech.
Her research made one thing clear. The problem was not ability. The problem was access and bias.
How Expert IEP Uses AI to Improve Disability Plans
IEPs are legally binding documents that outline support for students with disabilities. Yet many families struggle to understand them. Banks found that nearly 80% of IEP documents are written in ways that are not accessible to parents.
Moreover, her research revealed racial bias in language. IEPs for Black students often contain more penal wording. Meanwhile, plans for white students lean toward collaboration. Expert IEP uses artificial intelligence to remove harmful language and improve clarity.
The platform also saves families money. A private IEP advocate can cost up to $14,000 per year. Banks offers free limited access and affordable subscriptions. Consequently, more families can fight for proper support without going into debt.
Real Results for Black Families and What’s Next
Expert IEP is already helping thousands of families. Parents report stronger confidence, higher student motivation, and better grades. Schools are also implementing IEP changes faster.
Banks launched the platform in 2021, one year before graduating. After earning her degree in 2022, she began a PhD program at UC Davis. She continues to improve the tool while studying systemic gaps in special education.
Looking ahead, Banks plans to launch a district-wide version of Expert IEP. This expansion could allow entire school systems to adopt the technology. Ultimately, her work proves that one mother’s determination can shift an entire system.
