Teachers, school leaders and scholars convened for the third annual Black Education Research Center (BERC) Summer Conference at Teachers College this June for professional development centered on the theme of “From Equity to Emancipation: Black Studies as the Practice of Freedom in NYC Schools.”
“A space for learning, collaboration, and community-building,” in the words of BERC Director and Professor of Education Leadership Sonya Douglass, the conference builds on the Center’s work to help teachers implement its “Black Studies as the Study of the World” curriculum. Launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Council and the Education Equity Action Plan coalition (EEAP), the open-source curriculum offers PK-12 lessons designed to expand student knowledge on the African diaspora. It has reached more than 2,000 educators and been downloaded more than 30,000 times.
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Keynote speaker Muhammad Khalifa, Professor of Educational Administration and Executive Director of Urban and Rural Initiatives at The Ohio State University, and Sonya Douglass, BERC Founding Director and Professor of Education Leadership. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels delivered remarks on the importance of Black studies, thanking BERC and Teachers College for its partnership with NYC public schools. “This is a curriculum that meets this moment,” said Samuels, who then turned to speak directly to teachers: “You're doing important work…We need you. Our kids, our students need you.” (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
The hands-on day of professional development opened with a panel discussion, “Black Studies in K-12 Schools: Implications for Teachers and Leaders.” Pictured from left to right: Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz (M.A. ’96), Professor of English Education; Linda Tillman, BERC Advisory Board Member and Professor Emerita of Education Leadership at UNC-Chapel Hill; Felicia Moore Mensah, Professor of Science Education; Mark Gooden, Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Professor of Education Leadership; and Rosa L. Rivera-McCutchen, CUNY Hunter College Professor of Administration and Supervision. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
BERC welcomed dozens of educators and community leaders to campus this June. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
Kofi Lomotey, a member of BERC’s advisory board and the Chancellor John Bardo & Deborah Bardo Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership at Western Carolina University, reflected on the storied history of the struggle for Black studies curriculum during his grounding remarks. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
“Together, we have explored what it means to teach Black studies in New York City, how to design critical practices for classrooms and communities, and how to reclaim and master theory, power, and education with them,” said Douglass, who emphasized that Black studies can help all students understand society — a key function of education in democratic society that makes students “free to imagine new possibilities.”
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Felicia Moore Mensah, Professor of Science Education (left) led educators in a workshop focused on STEM curriculum for Black studies. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
Guests enjoyed a dance break as part of “An Embodied Black Experience,” led by Patricia Dye (Ed.D. ’25) and Andrea Markus (Ed.D. ’24). (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
Sonya Douglass, BERC Founding Director and Professor of Education Leadership, guided participants through her SCALE Framework for Emancipatory Leadership — a transformative approach for education leaders grounded in self-knowledge, culture, agency, liberation, and ethical values. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
Participants signed the conference poster to commemorate BERC’s third annual summer conference. (Photo: Kareem Thompson)
(Photo: Kareem Thompson)
“Culturally relevant education supports the success of all students,” said President Thomas Bailey during his welcoming remarks. “Our students deserve enriched learning environments that reflect the diversity of our city and world.”
Conference participants enjoyed thought-provoking programming throughout the day, including addresses from keynote speaker Muhammad Khalifa, Professor of Educational Administration and the Executive Director of Urban and Rural Initiatives at The Ohio State University, and NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels.
Learn more about the Black Education Research Center and its groundbreaking curriculum here.