On March 1, the School of Education will co-sponsor an evening lecture on racial literacy with the Center for the Study of Diversity and the College of Education and Human Development.

Howard C. Stevenson, Constance Clayton Professor of Urban Education and professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, will give a lecture entitled “If Elephants Could Talk: Racial Literacy” on March 1, 2016 at 5:00 in the Trabant Theatre, Trabant University Center.  This lecture is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.

Stevenson’s lecture will be based on his recently published book, Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools: Differences that Make a Difference. This work focuses on addressing racial conflicts and racial stress in educational contexts. He provides classroom teachers, educational leaders, school psychologists, and parents with strategies for developing culturally relevant, strength-based responses and interventions that promote healthier school climates.

Racial literacy workshops

In preparation for this event, interested faculty, graduate students, and staff are also invited to attend the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning workshop on Stevenson’s work on February 22, 2016 from 12:00 to 1:00 at the Faculty Commons. This workshop, “Understanding how racial literacy can improve student achievement,” will center on the impact of racial stress on student achievement in reference to Stevenson’s Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools. A light lunch and reading excerpts will be provided for participants.

Following his lecture, Stevenson will also present at a workshop for faculty, graduate students, and staff on March 2 from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Ewing Room of the Perkins Student Center. This workshop will focus on strategies for developing racial literacy across different educational contexts.

Article by Jessica Henderson