SGISD PhD Candidate Bwanda D. Gerome to present at National Family Engagement Conference in June

For the second year in a row, PhD candidate and non-profit leader Bwanda Gerome has been invited to present at the Institute for Educational Leadership’s (IEL) annual National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference. Ms. Gerome will present on the impact of culturally relevant pedagogy in community-based programming.

The Institute for Educational Leadership’s 2022 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference brings together Family and Community Engagement and Coalition for Community Schools networks to share their experiences and perspectives while also connecting with and learning from their peers. Over 3,000 educators, parents, youth leaders, organizers, advocates, and others attend the conference to collaborate and strategize about justice in education.

This year’s conference theme is Uniting for Every Child’s Opportunity. Presenters will focus on collective reflection, transformation, and advancing educational outcomes for students. By highlighting innovative strategies and collaboration, the conference will initiate action to improve policies, practices, and organizational cultures that address the root causes of inequities, including systemic and structural racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination based on faith, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation.

Last year, Bwanda presented on community-based learning pods and how communities and schools can come together to support Black and brown students during a pandemic. Based on overwhelming positive feedback from her last presentation, Bwanda will present again on the topic this June, expanding her presentation to include how community-based learning pods support cultural relevancy and responsiveness for students of color.

This year, Bwanda will also highlight the importance of cultural pedagogy in after school and community-based programming led by community educators with a strong emphasis on project-based learning, literacy, and retaining community and parental engagement.

Bwanda leads the Institute for Pan African Cultural Education (PACE), a grassroots non-profit organization in Boston. PACE encourages young people to embrace their cultural heritage of African descent and recognize the value of education. In her conference presentation, Bwanda will also discuss how learning the richness of Black history and culture and developing relationships with community educators has cultivated students’ academic attainment, esteem, and social and emotional wellness.

Congratulations to Bwanda for this distinguished honor! Learn more about Bwanda’s Gerome’s non-profit organization, the Pan African Cultural Education (PACE), and her research interests at SGISD.

Learn more about the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference sessions and register today!