Improving education outcomes for Black students begins with resisting racist characterizations of blackness. This talk emphasizes the imperative that possibility drive efforts aimed at transforming education for Black learners. Inspired by the “freedom dreaming” of activists in the Black radical tradition, the talk clarifies how centering possibility actively refuses limitations for what Black people can create, accomplish, and achieve. Warren draws on research in history, cultural studies, and sociology to cast a vision of Black education futures unencumbered by antiblackness and White supremacy. In doing so, this talk aims to catalyze innovative solutions to eliminating harm and generating education alternatives that Black students desire and deserve.

Learn more about empathy as a racial justice imperative and its utility for building positive relationships with Black boys that may counter their suffering in American PreK-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

Learn more about the challenges and opportunities to establishing racial justice imperatives at the local school, district, or state policymaking level necessary to strengthen efforts to undo racial harm. Talk also features discussion of building solidarity among racially minoritized peoples and institutions, as well as critical perspectives for more deeply understanding (anti-Black) race and racism in today’s public education system.

Learn more about what it means to translate asset pedagogical theory (e.g., culturally responsive/sustaining/relevant teaching, funds of knowledge etc.) into education practice and policy.

Art + Academe is a conversation in two acts. Act I is a panel discussion among leading scholars of Black Education about the ways that art both facilitates their wellbeing and influences the justice orientation to their scholarly work. Act II is a live music performance featuring two of the panelists, Augustus and Decoteau.