August 17-18, 2018

Justice. Equity. Excellence

Helping participants critically discuss how systemic inequities in race, gender, and socioeconomic status continue to shape and impact learning for Black children

Mission

It is imperative that educators regularly engage in professional development opportunities that train and equip them to understand Black student development and improve their responsiveness to systemic inequalities that impact their everyday learning. Therefore, the mission of State of Black Learning - Pittsburgh (SBL) is to foster dialogue and provide practical tools for all educators (teachers, specialists, principals, administrative assistants, coaches and more) to incorporate sustainable resources into the work they do. Further aiming to cultivate personal and professional development among educators who value knowledge and the enhancement of students’ lives.

About State of Black Learning Pittsburgh

Historically, education has been seen as a ‘one size fits all’ system for students. Research shows this is not the case with Black students. Whether considering a child’s home life or integrating a learning strategy to enhance student engagement, it is essential to hone in on the ways in which educators interact with and teach Black students. SBL is designed to increase educator effectiveness and provide the tools necessary to help participants address all of the factors that improve student outcomes and help Black children learn in the greater Pittsburgh region.

SBL is a two-day conference which will gather thought leaders, learning stakeholders, and educators across Pittsburgh who teach through various platforms. The aim is to use insightful analysis, commentary, and facilitated dialogue on best practices to help participants critically discuss how systemic inequities in race, gender, and socioeconomic status continue to shape and impact learning for Black children. At the conclusion of the conference, all participants will be charged to constantly seek and implement proven and innovative solutions that take action against the systemic inequalities facing black students.

If you consider yourself or organization an educator or stakeholder in the education of black boys and girls:

Educator

For the purpose of SBL an EDUCATOR is defined as any person who provides positive instruction or education to students in the areas of academics, citizenship, sports and/or social/family support.

Stakeholder

For the purpose of SBL a STAKEHOLDER is defined as any person, community and/or organization who will benefit directly from improving student outcomes and helping Black children learn in the greater Pittsburgh region.

MEET OUR CHANGEMAKERS

Friday Keynote Speaker

Dr. Christopher Emdin

Associate Professor, Teachers College,  Columbia University and Author of For White Folks Who Teach in The Hood…And the Rest of Ya’ll Too

Saturday Keynote Speaker

Dr. Valerie Kinloch

Dean, University of Pittsburgh School of Education

Special Guest

Derek Luke

Actor, Antwone Fisher, Friday Night Lights, Catch A Fire, Miracle at St Anna, Biker Boyz and Captain America, 13 Reasons

Timothy Jones

Amil Cook

Kevin McNair and Malcolm Thomas

Dr. Quintin Bullock

Cynthia James

LaShawn Reed

Venneasha Davis

Sean McCaskill

Julius Boatwright

Jason Rivers

Shandia Booker

Dr. T. Elon Dancy

Tashawn Nichols

Ashley Comans

STATE OF BLACK LEARNING

Panels/Mini-lectures will provide an overview of the topic to be expound upon during the group consult sessions.

FRIDAY |  AUGUST 17, 2018

Location: Eddy Theatre

 7:30 AM- Registration

8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – Opening Performance

(K-Theatre Dance Complex)

8:35 AM – Welcome & Charge

8:40 AM – Justice. Restoration. Love.

(Jason Rivers)

8:55 AM – Tracking the Data. Confronting Reality. Making Change.

(Moderated by APlus Schools – Rep. Jake Wheatley, Cecil Price, Ashley Comans and Jada Shirriel)

10:05 AM Break

10:15 AM – # GOALS: Culturally Relevant Approaches…

(Venneasha Davis)

10:30 AM – Royal Treatment Panel: Bro Code

(Moderated by Kevin McNair – Malcolm Thomas, Justice Bey, Sam Morant and Lloyd Cheatom)

11:30 AM – Break for Lunch

11:45 AM Lunch – 1:15 PM

(lunch and networking until 12:30)

12:45 PM Keynote – Dr. Chris Emdin

1:30 PM – Consult Session

3:00 PM – Consult Session

4:30 PM – Close Out

SATURDAY | AUGUST 18, 2018

Location: Eddy Theatre

7:30AM – Registration

8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – Opening Performance

(K-Theatre Dance Complex)

8:35 AM – Welcome & Charge

8:40 AM – How Hip Hop Changes Lives

(Timothy Jones)

8:55 AM Panel – Village Talk

(Moderated by Dr. Tyra Good – James Doyle, LaVaughn Wesley,Shavonne Lowry and Tazhae Dean)

10:00 AM Break

10:15 AM After-School That Works

(Cynthia James)

10:30 AM Panel – Royal Treatment: Girl Talk

(Moderated by Shanika Johnson- TaShawn Nichols, Shandia Booker, Lashawn Reed & Venneasha Davis and Keyanna Hilliard)

11:30 AM Break for Lunch

11:45 AM Lunch

(lunch and networking until 12:30)

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM Keynote- Dr. Valerie Kinloch

1:30 PM Consult Session

3:00 PM – Panel – Learning & Hip Hop

(Moderated by Emmai Alaquiva – Chris Emdin, Timothy Jones, Amil Cook, Derek Luke, Edmund Adjapong and Charell Mathews)

4:30 PM Close Out

(Teacher and leader awards presentation)

Lit for Learning

CONSULT SESSIONS

**Consult Sessions are designed to allow attendees to ask direct questions and share in thoughtful dialogue with presenters, speakers and thought leaders. Attendees will receive confirmation of Day 1 and Day 2 itinerary by email upon registering for the conference.**

How Hip Hop Changes Lives

Presenter – Timothy Jones

Location:  Buhl Hall (Science Complex)
Room: 026

How Hip Hop Changes Lives: With many federal and state policies impacting student learning and educational curriculum, art integration is often not an immediate priority infused in the classroom. Engage in this session that centers how music and the arts should be integrated into school culture in order to improve student learning outcomes.

For more information, visit: http://hiphoped.com/about-us/

Restoration & Love: We All Need Both

Presenter – Jason Rivers
Student Facilitator – Desiree Coleman

Location: Falk Hall
Room: 216

Restoration & Love: Classrooms must be student centered and incorporate cultural life experiences of the students served. This session will provide insight and best practices for transforming classrooms into holistic learning environments with the student at the center.

For more information, visit: Jason Rivers- Leader in Equity

Reality Pedagogy: Lean Forward & Be Real

Presenter – Dr. Chris Emdin

Location: Science Complex
Room: Beckwith
Reality Pedagogy: This session will help participants empower students and families to take ownership of their education by understanding the history of Black learning in America, how students brains work and how to make learning relevant.

For about this presenter, visit: http://chrisemdin.com/about/

The Cool Kid : How to Reach Him

Presenter – Kevin McNair and Malcolm Thomas
Student Facilitator – Justice Bey

Location: Buhl (Science Complex)
Room: 024

The Cool Kid: How to Reach Him is a continuation of Royal Treatment: Bro Code. Black boys(kings) are more likely to receive punitive disciplinary actions resulting in negative inferences that may lead to instances named as misdemeanors, widening educational gaps (compared to their peers) and or hindering college admission. In this session, we  will focus on the decriminalization of Black boys along with effective behavior management strategies.

For more information, visit:https://www.1nationmentoring.org/three-kings

All Minds Matter : Managing Your Mental Health

Presenter – Julius Boatwright
Student Facilitator – Charell Matthews

Location: Coolidge Hall
Room: 236

All Minds Matter: Managing Your Mental Health provides educators with the space to discuss best practices and strategies on providing self-care to be successful educators in all settings.

For more information, visit: https://www.steelsmilingpgh.org/about_us

Black Girl Magic : Let it Shine

Presenter – Tashawn Nichols & Shandia Booker
Student Facilitator – Tazhae Dean

Location: Falk Hall
Room: 217

Black Girl Magic:Let It Shine is a continuation of Royal Treatment: Black girls(queens) are more likely to receive punitive disciplinary actions resulting in negative inferences that may lead to instances named as misdemeanors, widening educational gaps (compared to their peers) and or hindering college admission. This session will focus on the decriminalization of Black girls along with effective behavior management strategies.

Parents, Students and You: The Relationships Matter

Presenter – Sean McCaskill
Student Facilitator – Keyanna Hilliard

Location: Coolidge Hall
Room: 237

Parents, Students and You:Relationships Matter is designed to enhance the interaction between our schools and the families we serve. Everyday we are faced with many challenges that tend to pull our attention away from what really matters. In this session, the focus is to intentionally set aside time to work on cultivating a safe and welcoming environment where our children can flourish.

#GOALS: Culturally Relevant Approaches to Liberating, Empowering and Educating Students of Color

Presenter – Venneasha Davis – Sisters of STEAM
Student Facilitator – Cecil Price

Location: Buhl (Science Complex)
Room: 028

Our students have important questions. They come from rich intellectual traditions and they know a lot. This session will connect educators with proven approaches for connecting with students and helping them to step away from a teacher-driven discussion of culturally relevant teaching practice, and entertain a new conversation focused on the students. Educators will learn more on how to understand what our students know and how they might deepen and expand that knowledge.

For more information, visit: https://remakelearning.org/project/sisters-esteam/

FOR LEADERS ONLY

Leadership Dinner – Friday, August 17 at 6pm

Following a reception and dinner Dr. Tyra Good of Chatham University will lead a discussion with Dr. Chris Emdin, Dr. Quinton Bullock of Community College of Allegheny County and a special guest on the conference theme.

For more details, email info@stateofblacklearning.org

Venue: SLATE | 2517 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

CONFERENCE VENUE

Chatham University is the perfect place for thought leaders, learning stakeholders, and educators across Pittsburgh to discuss how systemic inequities in race, gender, and socioeconomic status continue to shape and impact learning for Black children.

Chatham University

Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Get Directions

Public Parking

Looking for somewhere to park? Chatham offers several public parking options surrounding the university. Public Parking lots are also avaialble at the corner of Walnut and Bellefonte, Shady and Fifth, and Murray and Forbes

Parking Map

Public Transportation

Need to take Public Transportation to the conference or just plain ole looking to avoid parking in the city? No problem! Port Authority is a great option to travel to Chatham.

Port Authority

EVENT SPONSORS

We wouldn’t be able to host our conference without help from these amazing companies. A huge thanks to all our sponsors and partners!

Become a Sponsor