More Than 1,000 Educators Participated In Legacy Conference Aimed At Improving Educational Outcomes For African American Students
The conference gathered education leaders and strategists with expertise in meeting the needs of Black students.
Los Angeles, CA – More than 1,000 educators from the Green Dot Public School network participated online via Zoom on March 16, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the Fourth Annual Legacy Conference, themed: “Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders: Nurturing the Academic and Cultural Identities of Black Students.” The online conference, hosted by Green Dot Public Schools California, offered a collective space where the Green Dot education community gathered to reflect on its current beliefs and practices, gain new knowledge, and commit to taking strategic action to improve equitable outcomes for Black students and their families.
“Just over five years ago, we developed an African American Achievement and Equity Committee and subsequently established an African American and Equity Team to create the type of learning and reflection opportunities that the Legacy Conference provides,” said Dr. Cristina de Jesus, Green Dot Public Schools Chief Executive Officer. “We invest in this conference every year to ensure that Black scholars have the necessary resources and support to be successful in college, leadership, and life,” she added.
Launched in its current virtual format in 2020 by Green Dot Public Schools California’s African American Achievement and Equity committee, the Legacy Conference brings together education leaders and strategists, with expertise in meeting the academic and social needs of Black students, to share best practices that improve educational outcomes for Black students and their families. The committee, led by Kris Terry, uses a data-driven approach to address disparities and opportunity gaps, and design student-centered programs that give voice to the academic and socioemotional needs and experiences of African American students. The conference is one of several Green Dot initiatives working to dismantle systemic barriers that drive deficit-based thinking about students of color and hinder their growth and success.
“Our Black students need meaningful, culturally relevant, and affirming learning experiences that nurture their academic identities and inspire them to create positive changes within themselves and the world around them,” said Kris Terry, Senior Director of African American Achievement and Equity for Green Dot Public Schools. “As educators, we must be intentional in our efforts to build strong relationships with Black students and dismantle deficit-based thinking about their abilities, intellect, character, culture, and potential. The result is a learning environment that celebrates and expects excellence in achievement and centers the voices of Black students as the leaders they are,” added Terry.
During the conference, lecturers discussed topics including the dismantling of deficit-based learning, building relationships, identifying and celebrating cultural assets, and culturally responsive and sustaining teaching practices. The keynote speaker for the Legacy Conference was Dr. Jerel Hill, Dean of the School of Education at Pacific Oaks College.
“It means empowering other educators to dig deep inside as they work with students of color. It means gaining knowledge to change the narrative for African American students,” said Dawn Fields Teacher, Animo Compton.
Alemán at (818) 943-2481 (cell), or evelyn@mipr.net (E-mail). You can also follow us on social media on Facebook @greendotschools, Twitter @GreenDotSchools, Instagram @greendot_ca.
About Green Dot Public Schools
Green Dot Public Schools California is a network of 19 Title I middle and high public schools purposefully located in communities that have been historically underserved. Our mission is to help transform public education, so all students graduate prepared for college, leadership, and life.
About Green Dot Public Schools
Green Dot Public Schools California is a network of 19 Title I middle and high public schools purposefully located in communities that have been historically underserved. Our mission is to help transform public education, so all students graduate prepared for college, leadership, and life.
