Cherrel Miller Dyce, associate professor of education and executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at 黑料不打烊, and Felicia Robinson ’21, a former Teaching Fellow and current second-grade teacher, presented their research on the experiences of Black students during desegregation at the Color of Education Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Robinson completed the research project as a requirement for the Teaching Fellows program during her course of study at the Watts Williams School of Education.

The presentation, 鈥淪ankofa: How Segregation Narratives Inform the Present Experiences of a Beginning Black Teacher,鈥� was presented as a plenary session at the conference. The presentation, 鈥淪ankofa: How Segregation Narratives Inform the Present Experiences of a Beginning Black Teacher,鈥� was presented as a plenary session at the conference.

According to Deanna Townsend Smith, director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, the 鈥淐olor of Education is a partnership between the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity, Public School Forum of NC, Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, and the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University鈥檚 Sanford School of Public Policy. Color of Education seeks to build deeper connections across the fields of research, policy and practice, and brings together communities, educators, policymakers, experts and other key stakeholders focused on developing action-oriented approaches for achieving racial equity in education across the state of North Carolina.鈥�

The plenary session was impactful, as Dyce and Robinson were joined by three of their research participants, one of whom was Portia Wade, lecturer at Watts Williams School of Education.

鈥淚 am very thankful for the opportunity provided to share this story which has been held within my heart for several years,” Wade said. “Moreover, during my middle and high school journey, I did not fully realize how much a school redistricting and busing mandate would impact the trajectory of my personal and professional life. Yet, it has been my faith, renewed strength and ongoing family support that continues to push me forward in the field of teacher preparation and establishment of professional legacies.鈥�

The two other participants were Cynthia Wooten, associate professor of education at Winston-Salem State University, and Yvella Bradshaw, local clergy.

Reflecting on her experience with undergraduate research and inquiry and mentoring, Robinson stated, 鈥淚n what feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and honor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share at an event of this magnitude that targets and reaches communities of color. I鈥檓 grateful for the mentorship and guidance that made this all possible. I am honored to uplift the stories of those who have come before me and who have made a lasting impact on the education system that we see today.”

According to Townsend-Smith of the Flood Center, 鈥淐entering the history through research, together with lived experiences, helps to bring the history to life and allows a younger generation to glean strategies to apply to current situations. We have so much to learn from the past to inform the present-day context. The more we are willing to listen to those who came before us, the better prepared we are to respond to current situations as we have a foundation to understanding the ‘why’ and can advocate for greater access and opportunity.鈥�

The Color of Education conference convenes every fall and is a signature program of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity.

Miller Dyce presented her research on black male educational achievement in a presentation titled “Reconceptualizing the Crisis of African American Males and Education: The Role of Out-of-Home Placement in Foster Care and Group Homes, in Increasing Educational Inequities, Disenfranchisement and Marginalization”.

Additionally, Miller Dyce presented with Dawn Tafari from Winston Salem State University in a panel discussion on the role of race on the experiences of black women in doctoral programs. The panel discussion was based on both presenters’ membership in the DIVAS-Distinguished, Intellectual, Virtuous, Academic, Sistas, an academic and social support collective formed in 2009 to address the unique concerns and perspectives facing black female PhDs and new professionals. 

The title of the panel discussion was “Reconceptualizing the Doctoral Experience: The DIVAS Collective as a Discursive Space for Black Female PhDs”.

Kimberly Scales
Title I Coordinator
Alamance-Burlington School System
(336) 438-4000 Ext. 20069
Kimberly_scales@abss.k12.nc.us

More than 50 “Cinderellas” prepared for the ball on April 19th.  But this time, they transformed outfits from sneakers and jeans into prom dresses.

They took part in the third annual “Cinderella Project,” hosted on 黑料不打烊’s campus.  Donated prom dresses in a rainbow of shades and sizes flew left and right as high school girls in Alamance County rushed around the room, finding their perfect fit.  The event allowed girls from low income families the opportunity to receive one for free and enjoy the high school rite of passage: prom night.  Entertainment, free food, hair and makeup boutiques, educational workshops, raffles, and the presentation of two college scholarships were also a part of the day.

This event is of particular value to 黑料不打烊 because it involved about 40 黑料不打烊 student volunteers from a variety of student organizations, including LASO, SPARKS, APO, EFFECT, Greek Life, the Kernodle Center, and many more!

Everyone loves the Cinderella tale; this event helps to make that tale a reality for so many girls in the Burlington Community. For more information on the Cinderella Project please contact Desiree Porter (dporter4@elon.edu) as the project is now accepting leadership applications through May 9th!

The title of their presentation was “Crossing Borders: The Role of Diversity, Family, and Community Engagement in Building Efficacy and Accountability for Teachers and Administrators” and it was based on Dyce’s current research on engaging diverse families in Title I schools.

The Women of Color Institute aims to empower, inspire and motivate women of color or those who identify as ALANA (Asian, Latina, African, Native American), and bi- or multiracial.

As such, the mission is to create an environment that promotes personal, educational and, professional development for this population. Miller Dyce’s keynote was titled “Leading with SWAG: Solidarity, Worldview, Audience and Grace.”

The Women of Color Institute started in 2013 to bring women of color on 黑料不打烊’s campus together to share experiences, discuss what it means to be a woman of color at 黑料不打烊, and to develop personal and leadership skills through interactive workshops.

Some of the themes discussed at this year’s Women of Color Institute were: Making Meaning of Experiences, Personal Branding, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Life After College. 

Members of the planning committee included: D’Netria Spear ’15, Jordan Only ’14, Manuela Mbouma ’14, Le To ‘15, Anajulia Almonte ’14, Rihana Spinner ‘15 and Alisha Carter ’15.

If you would like to be a part of the planning committee for next year’s Women of Color Institute, please email Kiki Murrain (kmurrain@elon.edu).

The article, “Engagement without Judgment: Building Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships for African American Learners, A Primer for Educators,” appears in the November 2012 issue of the African American Learners Journal and provides educators with culturally relevant strategies for working with African American learners, families and communities.