Educators nationwide will participate in the 3rd Annual Black History Education Conference this weekend.
“It’s about fun but also taking action when you leave,” organizer Andreal Davis said. “We have over 40 speakers doing over 24 concurrent sessions.”
The 3rd annual conference titled “And How Are the Children? Black Education Matters” will provide a venue where educators across the state and country will be able to share policies, practices, programs, and procedures that have proven effective in promoting high levels of achievement for those often being underserved in our school systems and communities. Professional Learning and Community Education – PLACE, UW-Madison will host the Black History Education Conference Feb. 19-20.
“I’m looking forward to the growth that has taken place and the number of people participating from various generations,” Davis said.
She described the conference as an interactive two-day experience beginning today and continuing until Saturday. Each day will consist of keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, and opportunities for educators to discuss solutions to eliminate achievement gaps in Wisconsin. Davis also said attendees are participating in the conference from other states including Arizona, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
“We have high school students from Madison high schools participating,” she said.
Organizers are partnering with PBS Wisconsin this year to provide an elementary school component as well. Davis said the conference will include an HBCU presidents panel, underground railroad tour, and performances from local artists.
“We are going to be featuring some local artists who started painting during the pandemic,” Davis said.
In addition, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and Grammy-winning Artist Common will make an appearance during the program. Attendees will go through the conference identifying what they can take and do in their classroom.
“Over the years, we’ve actually had people email, text, and call about how they’re implementing what they learned from the conference,” Davis said.
During one year, educators shared positive affirmations. She said one school took an affirmation and translated it to several languages and posted it around their school.
The Wisconsin Historical Society is a cosponsor of the Black History Education Conference. To find more information on the “Black History Education Conference” visit https://place.education.wisc.edu/k12-programs/black-history-education-conference/.
