Amplify the Voices of K-12 Practitioners at Educational Conferences
Connecting Educators to Share Innovative Solutions and Strategies
Enrollments until 1 April 2023
You missed out!
Tired of the Inadequate Educational System that continues to overlook students in underserved communities?
Our education system is failing our most vulnerable students.
Sadly, our current education system has left our most vulnerable students to search for a means of success all on their own. In particular, students who find themselves marginalized, oppressed or 'at risk' in under-served communities are often disregarded and ignored.
Because the system doesn't notice the privileges given to the students in more served communities, that leaves the under-served students with aspirations that drift away with every single day that passes yet and still nothing is changing; a cycle repeating itself year after year.
Is it any surprise then when these same students fail? This notion prevails since failing to connect real life impediment faced by people of different socio economic backgrounds with learning material eventually presses towards inequality. That's just the surface. What about:
- Learning gaps
- Student discipline
- Student anxiety
- Low Mental health support
You can’t teach underserved communities the same way as privileged ones: everyone is different. Yet too often, children of color don’t receive the necessary tools to develop them socially and educationally, leaving them without the exposure they need both inside and outside the classroom.
Students crave source material wherein they can relate to and recognize people who look like them but this isn’t enough; a real beacon of equity in education is found when educators are able to tailor a teaching style that successfully accommodates multiple types of learning styles and capabilities.
It's becoming increasingly clear that systemic change needs to happen within our public schooling system or risk hindering a thriving and diverse pool of innovative future leaders full of potential!
So what is the solution?
The Equity Ingenuity Conference
I had become frustrated with educational conferences that promised to tackle Equity but didn't give voice or leadership opportunities to those closest to the cause - educators, principals and other school leaders in K-12 settings. That's why I created a space where these champions of change have an opportunity be heard and lead meaningful conversations about this important issue.
Here's what you can look forward to at the
Equity Ingenuity conference!
Our upcoming event is a must-see - an opportunity to connect with incredible minds, explore innovative concepts and be part of electrifying conversations. And on top of that, we're hosting a stellar lineup of special guests!
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Bettina Love
Dr. Bettina L. Love is an award-winning author and the William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her writing, research, teaching, and educational advocacy work meet at the intersection of disrupting education reform and strengthening public education through abolitionist teaching, Black joy, and anti-racism. The aim of her scholarship is twofold: firstly, to advance how the field of education understands and critiques school reform and the systemic and structural racism of public education within the U.S.; and secondly, to advocate for abolitionist approaches in the field of education that seek new possibilities for educational justice. In the pursuit of making her scholarship a reality, she works with activists, communities, youth, families, and school districts to build communal, civically-engaged schools rooted in the aspirations of abolitionist strategies that love and affirm Black and Brown children. Towards that end, in 2020, Dr. Love co-founded the Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN). ATN’s mission is to develop and support teachers and parents to fight injustice within their schools and communities. To date, ATN has granted over $160,000 to abolitionists around the country. She is also the creator of the Hip Hop civics curriculum GET FREE.
Special Guest Panelist
Vajra m. watson
Vajra M. Watson is a scholar-activist, faculty director, and professor of educational leadership and racial justice in the College of Education at Sacramento State University, Sacramento. Watson has over twenty years of experience as a teacher, community organizer and researcher.
She is the founder of Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS), an award-winning program that pairs community-based poet-mentor educators and teachers together to develop grassroots pedagogies that reclaim and reimagine schooling.
Patrice Hill
Patrice Hill is a poet, public speaker, youth advocate, host, curator, community-based educator and the current Director of Sacramento Area Youth Speaks. Patrice has over two decades of experience teaching in urban, suburban and exurban classrooms and writing and performing spoken word poetry.
Born and raised in Fresno, CA., Patrice uses her background as an urban, inner-city, public school educated student to develop curriculum that is culturally relevant and meaningful to the lives of young people.
Dr. Ijeoma Ononuju
Dr. Ijeoma Ononuju is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Education Program at Touro University California. Having completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Education at UC Davis, focusing on diversity and equity in school administration, Dr. Ononuju’s current research examines community action and ownership within K-12 school leadership and administration.
When he is not teaching, Dr. Ononuju consults with schools and school districts throughout the State of California on implementing youth-center culturally responsive practices.
Dr. Emily Bautista
Dr. Emily strives for educational equity through interdisciplinary studies with young people with high potential. She draws from her Psychology B.A. & Masters in Education from UCLA and her Doctorate degree from LMU in her work as the former Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Transformation, Assistant Principal, and social studies teacher at YouthBuild Charter School of California.
She hopes that through authentic, collaborative, and humanizing learning, powerful students, families, and community stakeholders can incite meaningful change.
Denisha "coco" Blossom
Denisha “Coco” Blossom, is a Poet, Host, Educator, and Social Influencer. Coco is from Pittsburg, CA, and was raised in South Sacramento. She is currently the Associate Director of SAYS (Sacramento Area Youth Speaks) where she mentors young girls and youth from the inner-city.
She graduated from UC Davis with her B.A. in African American Studies & Education and received her Associate Degree in Organizational Communication & Liberal Arts at Cosumnes River College. Her passion lies in empowering others through spoken word, writing, and laughter.
About Dr. Qiana O'leary
Dr. Qiana O’Leary is the founder/CEO of Minty Educational Services. Dr. O’Leary is a California native and has extensive experience in PK-12 administration, working in traditional public and charter school settings.
Her research interest in equity education and school leadership has helped her understand the unique perspective on BIPOC (black and indigenous people of color) student needs and how inaccessible quality culturally competent curriculum is for inner city students.
Register for the Conference
Secure your spot at the Equity Ingenuity Conference and learn to achieve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the classroom.