LabXchange’s Post

Bringing Cultural Diversity & Neurodiversity to Schools This Black History Month! As an author passionate about cultural diversity and neurodiversity, I’m excited to share that my books and author visits are available to schools this #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond! Now more than ever, it’s vital to educate young minds about the rich tapestry of cultures and ensure we provide access to all neurodiverse children for them to experience our world. What I offer: - Author visits - designed to engage and inspire children to embrace diversity. - Books that celebrate - ethnic, cultural diversity, and provide a sensory experiences for neurodiverse children. - Interactive sessions that foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding. - Puppet show which captures young and older people. This is a perfect opportunity for schools to bring these important sensory books during Black History Month and throughout the year. If you’re looking to create a classroom environment where every child feels represented and valued, reach out to learn more about how we can work together! #BlackHistoryMonth #Neurodiversity #CulturalDiversity #InclusiveEducation #AuthorVisits #DiversityInBooks #RepresentationMatters #SchoolWorkshops

It’s Black History Month. Let’s talk about it. The theme for #BlackHistoryMonth2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. As a Black student in the midst of my academic journey, this resonates with me as a call to decolonise the curriculum - an idea I will be exploring briefly in this post. For a more comprehensive analysis, please refer to the recommended reading listed at the end of the post. Decolonisation involves addressing and challenging the lasting impacts of European imperialism and dismantling structures that perpetuate racial injustice. In education, this manifests as confronting the modern Eurocentric pedagogy across all disciplines, from the humanities to STEM. This includes recognising the inherent biases in what we study, understanding their origins and the issues they present, diversifying the perspectives we study and critically examining our own biases. The significance of decolonising the curriculum is increasingly apparent as diversity in education continues to progress. The underrepresentation of BAME students and staff limits the inclusivity of our learning and denies students the chance to explore their own unique social identities within education. Our curriculum has the potential to be so much more enriching and rounded, if only the canon of modern research treated non-traditional sources with as much validity as those that are Western-dominated. This should not be a comfortable process. In fact, it is through our discomfort that we gain insight into the issues at hand. If you take away anything from this reading, let it be this: challenge your perspectives and ideas, confront your own biases, and encourage your peers to do the same. Let’s talk about it. Black History Month UK Recommended reading: Decolonising the curriculum: challenges and opportunities for teaching and learning - University of Brighton https://lnkd.in/dn8uuSV9 Decolonising the curriculum toolkit - MMU Faculty of Science and Engineering https://lnkd.in/dHQFw2E9 #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #ReclaimingNaratives

🎓 Reflecting on my graduation, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all the hard work and dedication that led to this moment. One of the highlights of my academic journey was my first-class dissertation titled, "A Critical Inquiry into the Myth of Black Capitalism through the Lens of the Black Radical Tradition." In this project, I delved deep into the intricate relationship between capitalism and colonialism, using the concept of 'racial capitalism' to illustrate how their historical symbiosis functions as a mechanism for transnational racialised exploitation. My passion for postcolonial studies provided a unique lens through which I could critically analyse and challenge the notion of Black capitalism as a solution to economic and racial injustice. This dissertation was not just an academic exercise but a meaningful exploration of the socioeconomic injustices and disparities that persist in our society. It calls for a more comprehensive approach to social and economic justice, one that moves beyond the confines of Black capitalism. I am excited to take the insights and knowledge gained from this experience into the next chapter of my professional journey, committed to contributing to a more just and equitable world. #Graduation #PostcolonialStudies #RacialCapitalism #SocialJustice #EconomicJustice

As we enter Black History Month, we are reminded of our duty as educators to impart historical knowledge, amplify diverse voices, and empower students to build a more fair and just world. This academic year, we doubled down on our commitment to literacy as our anti-racist work. In addition to integrating the science of reading into our inquiry-based Responsive Classroom model, we have implemented new classroom libraries for all grades K-12 that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our students and uphold our values. Our renewed commitment to identity affirming curricula is particularly poignant now as we witness schools nationwide banning books and censoring teachers in their ability to discuss topics, share perspectives, and teach impactful content that hinders the growth of the very students they are meant to uplift. Looking ahead, let us embrace the empowering influence of diverse choices, recognizing that broadening options for our students enables them to shape their own destinies. Literacy emerges as a key element in unlocking these opportunities, acting as a cornerstone in dismantling oppressive systems and fostering a world where all scholars can lead lives of boundless choice. We must remain committed to Centering Justice, anti-racism, and remembering our pasts so we can build a new future. #AscendLiteracy #NewYorkEducation #ScienceOfReading #LiteracyTransformation #CenteringJustice #AntiracismEducation #BoundlessChoice

I've spoken about and shared Black Canadian history because it is of fundamental importance in our polarized world. We have all seen what occurs when history is ignored. To speak about and highlight mainly American Black history perpetuates the erasure of Black Canadian history, denying that there was and are great contributions that occur within our borders deserving of recognition and acknowledgement. On this final day of Black History Month 2024 I would like to highlight two important things for people to sit with: 1. Canadian Black History should be accessible for all. If it is not, ask yourself why? 2. Performative allyship will never be enough. Substantive change and representation in positions of power, to be able to enforce those necessary changes, is the ONLY way forward. Happy Black History Month. https://chng.it/9QJXYGtrwX

As you recognize #Juneteenth today, consider Derek's thoughtful post. Educate, reflect & celebrate freedom. If your looking for some good reading material, I love historian, artist, author Nell Painter's work, including _Creating Black Americans: African-American History and Its Meanings_. Visit www.nellpainter.com #CulturalHistory #PublicHistory #NellPainter #AfricanAmericanHistoryIsAmericanHistory

As a scholar navigating the realms of research and academia, I derive immense inspiration and affirmation from the profound writings of powerful authors. Dr. Chike Akua's "Honoring Our Ancestral Obligations" resonates deeply with me, emphasizing the significance of honoring our roots and ancestral legacy. His teachings on ancestral wisdom and cultural heritage provide me with a strong sense of purpose and connection as I progress through my research pursuits. In "Black on Black," Dr. Daniel Black delves into the complexities of the Black experience, empowering me to embrace my identity proudly and explore the rich tapestry of Black culture. His insights on history, identity, and resilience fuel my journey of self-discovery and understanding. The collaborative work of Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz and Debra Price-Dennis in "Advancing Racial Literacies in Teacher Education" is a beacon of advocacy and education. Their exploration of racial literacies in teaching inspires me to challenge existing systems and strive for transformative change through my scholarly endeavors. Expressing boundless gratitude to these authors for their invaluable contributions, I recognize the privilege and responsibility inherent in scholarly pursuits. Their works not only inform my research but also shape my perspective and influence my academic approach. I carry their words as sources of strength and inspiration, guiding me on my academic journey with unwavering resolve and purpose. #RelevantScholarship #graditude

This Columbia Giving Day, support the Black Lives in the Diaspora: Past / Present / Future series. This book series series focuses on Black lives in a global diasporic context published by Columbia University Press in partnership with Howard University's College of Arts and Sciences and Columbia University’s African American and African Diaspora Studies Department. This collaboration represents the first step in a larger partnership between the two universities to publish more robustly in Black studies and to recruit and support a cohort of editorial fellows to provide an entryway for recent HBCU graduates into the publishing industry. https://buff.ly/3zIQjB1 #ColumbiaGivingDay #ScholarshipsMatte #AcademicPublishing #SupportAcademicPublishing #PublishKnowledge #ScholarlyBooks #AcademicResearch

Why is the arrival of Black Oxford - The Untold Stories of Oxford University's Black Scholars at Oxford's Visitor Information Centre monumental? The Visitor Information Centre in Oxford is a popular tourist hub for people from all over the world. However, the books available there have traditionally been Euro-centric and do not reflect the full diversity of the city's history and culture. That's why the stocking of Black Oxford—The Untold Stories of Oxford University's Black Scholars is such a monumental achievement. It will be the first book in the Centre to focus on the university's Black presence and scholars. This is important because it offers an opportunity for a diverse group of people, including students, tourists, and locals, to learn about the work and accomplishments of Black scholars, helping to promote a better understanding of history, culture, and intellectual contributions. Moreover, the book showcases the achievements of Black scholars, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences in academic discourse. It also challenges stereotypes and biases by presenting counter-narratives to misconceptions about race, intelligence, and educational capabilities. By having this book available at the Visitor Information Centre, people can be inspired and empowered to pursue academic and intellectual endeavours. They can see successful Black scholars celebrated and recognized, which can be a motivation for aspiring academics. Join me for a book signing at the Centre to delve into the fascinating history of Black scholars at Oxford University. Saturday, March 23rd 11.00 am - 3.00 pm. #BlackHistory #BookLaunch #Oxford#OxfordHistory #BlackAcademia#DiverseScholars #BlackExcellence#MeetTheAuthor #BlackOxford#VisitOxford#VisitorInformation Centre

Yesterday, while working with a group of high school students, one asked me why today, June 19th, was a holiday. I happily told him, which led to a brief conversation about the end of slavery and self-emancipation. Conversations like this are exactly why I believe this holiday and other days of celebration and remembrance can be so important. In another conversation, I explained that I remember celebrating Juneteenth as a young child. I grew up in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and one thing that I always felt my parents and church family did well was make sure that young Black children learned African-American history. Especially then, but still too often today, this history is treated as separate from United States History instead of integral to it. I was somewhat surprised, but not entirely, when, in 2021, many people discussing the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday said that they had never heard of it or suggested it was a new idea. It made me feel much better that several former students at the time sent me articles on the topic and said they definitely remembered learning this in my class. (A reminder that sometimes, students listen!) This is one of the reasons that I am back in grad school. While there are so many great teachers working every day to diversify their curriculum, present the whole history of our great nation, and make lessons relevant to students, they need the support and resources to do this. No student should leave high school without a full understanding of the ways in which African-American, women's, Latinx, Native American, and many other histories ARE American History. That current curriculum does not fully recognize this is certainly a flaw in the system, but I do not believe it to be a fatal flaw. In the meantime, I hope that everyone will continue to answer those questions from students and the children in their homes and churches. If they don't ask, start a conversation or take them to one of the many events designed to celebrate this history or museums dedicated to teaching often marginalized histories. Continue to teach children, no matter their race, our history and support those working to make important changes in education in our schools. #WeCannotAffordToDoLess