Elevating Learners by Innovating Teaching and Education
Highlighting the Contributions of The African Diaspora in Palm Beach County
Presented by:
The School District of Palm Beach County's
Office of African, African American, Latino, and Holocaust Studies
Dates: June 12 - 14
Times: See agenda below
Location: Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, 3505 Shiloh Dr,
West Palm Beach, FL
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Nate Collins Auditorium at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
8:30 - 9:00 am
Registration
9:00 - 9:30 am
Opening Ceremonies,
Libation - Akbar Watson
Lift Every Voice and Sing - Faith's Place Center for Education
Opening Remarks - Superintendent Micheal J. Burke
The Office of African American Studies: 30 Years Later - Debbye G. R. Raing
9:30 - 9:45 am
Make Your M.A.R.K,
Caleb Wesco, Motivational Speaker
How can we persist in "Making Your MARK" in education, personal endeavors, and community engagement?
9:45 - 10:15 am
Bringing Black History to Life in Our Classrooms,
Brian Knowles, Manager of African, African American, Latino, and Holocaust Studies
We will explore innovative ways to infuse it into our classroom curricula. Uncover dynamic teaching strategies and resources that breathe life into pivotal moments, figures, and narratives, empowering students to engage deeply with this vital aspect of our collective heritage.
10:15 - 10:30 am - Break
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
The Palm Beach County African American Oral History Project,
Dr. Alisha Winn, Applied Anthropologist and Project Director for the Palm Beach County African American Oral History Project
Explore a traveling exhibit highlighting the lived experiences of eight Black elders in Palm Beach County and the youth who interviewed them. Learn about the education system through the years and how these stories and life lessons are passed on to a new generation of students. View a documentary that shows how the project evolved digitally due to COVID-19. Sponsored by the Children Services Council of Palm Beach County, the project began in July 2020, involving youth interviewing elders about life growing up in Palm Beach County.
12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Preserving Our History for Our Children's Children,
The African American Research Library & Cultural Center of Palm Beach County,
PBC African Diasporic Cultural & Historical Society, and
Industrial-Roosevelt High School National Alumni Association & Friends
The panel discussion will focus on the importance of preserving our collective history for the benefit of future generations. Our distinguished panelists, comprising of historians, educators, archivists, and community leaders, will delve into various aspects of historic preservation and its significance in shaping our understanding of the past, present, and future.
2:30 - 2:40 pm
Raffle Winners Announcement
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Film Screening: Class of Her Own,
Boaz Dvir, Professor and Filmmaker
This documentary film captures the late Florida educator Gloria Merriex’s transformation into
an educational innovator. It shows her engaging her math, reading, and science students
most effectively through unconventional teaching practices, including hip-hop and dance
routines.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Nate Collins Auditorium at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
8:30 - 9:00 am
Registration
9:00 - 9:10 am
Welcome,
Edwin Ferguson, Palm Beach County School Board Member, District 7
9:10 - 9:30 am
Amplifying the Collective Voice of Black Students,
Black Student Union of Atlantic Community High School
Mrs. Anitra Grant-Straghn
Caliyah Young
Alex Cornish
In this empowering presentation, we delve into the critical importance of amplifying the voices of Black students within educational spaces. By centering the voices of Black students, we aim to catalyze meaningful change and cultivate environments where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
9:30 - 9:45 am
The Approaches to Multicultural Education and The Infusion of African American History,
Brian Knowles, Manager of the Office of African, African American, Latino,
and Holocaust Studies
There are four distinct approaches to Multicultural Education: the Contributions Approach, The Additive Approach, The Transformation Approach, and The Social Action Approach. Dr. James Banks formulated these approaches to enrich the existing curriculum and make it more culturally relevant. This session will explore ways to help students interact with a curriculum that represents African Diasporic histories and cultures.
9:45 - 10:15 am
Methods of Infusion,
Karen Jefferson, Specialist for the Office of African, African American, Latino, and Holocaust Studies
This session will delve into practical techniques for incorporating African Diasporic histories and cultures into instructional practices. Attendees will gain insights into enhancing the curriculum through the application of the four approaches to Multicultural Education.
10:15 - 10:30 am - Break
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Preserving History in Palm Beach County,
Charlene Farrington, Executive Director of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum was established to professionally preserve the collections of people of African descent and focus on their contributions to South Florida. Presenters will share some of the projects and public programming that highlight these contributions and how this work connects to the national efforts to correctly position the history of the African Diaspora in the United States.
1:00 - 1:30 pm
The Palm Beach County Black Heritage Trail,
Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Black Historical Trail project in Palm Beach County aims to highlight and preserve the significant contributions of Black residents to the region's history and culture. Through curated trails and markers, the project seeks to educate visitors and locals alike about the diverse experiences and achievements of Black communities. By showcasing important sites and stories, the Black Historical Trail project fosters a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of Black heritage in Palm Beach County.
1:30 - 2:30 pm
The Power of Community Organizing and Portrait of a Graduate,
The Coalition for Black Student Achievement
The community plays a pivotal role in fostering Black student achievement in Palm Beach County by providing support networks, mentorship opportunities, and access to resources. Through community partnerships, initiatives can be developed to address systemic barriers. By actively engaging with families, organizations, and local leaders, the community can collectively work towards empowering Black students to reach their full potential.
2:30 - 2:40 pm
Raffle Winners Announcement
Cultural Immersion Programs
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Nate Collins Auditorium at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience, and Reclamation,
"Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience, and Reclamation" will encompass diverse artistic expressions that authentically convey the experiences of individuals within the African Diaspora. These artistic forms serve as powerful mediums through which the multifaceted narratives of joy, resistance, resilience, and reclamation can be explored and shared. Whether through visual arts, music, literature, dance, or other creative avenues, these expressions offer profound insights into Black communities' lived experiences and cultural heritage, fostering understanding, empowerment, and celebration.
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
We will meet at and depart from Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center at 3300 Forest Hill Blvd.
Palm Beach County Black Historical Experience,
Palm Beach County African Diaspora Historical and Cultural Society
"Palm Beach County Black Historical Experience" is a guided bus tour that takes participants to various historical sites within Palm Beach County's Black communities. Sites include Limestone Creek, The Historic Northwest District of West Palm Beach, Storm of '28 Memorial Park, Evergreen Cemetery, and more.
