29.016 - #MakeAmericaInteGREAT: Student Activism for Social Justice and Implications for Researchers

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

#MakeAmericaInteGREAT is a project of New York Appleseed, Epic Theatre Ensemble, and IntegrateNYC4me. Through this initiative, New York City public high school students use social justice theatre, coalition building, and social media to expand youth leadership in the movement for school integration and equity in their respective communities. All of their work is grounded in educational research, and is guided by the foundational scholarship of the field. Equipped with a working understanding of school segregation in New York City, Epic Next students will perform the play “Laundry City,” followed by a panel discussion that includes academic researchers, student activists, and educators. They will reflect on the play, then contextualize the work of activists and researchers from their respective fields/positions.

Sub Unit

• Social Justice Action Committee

Chair

• Matt Gonzales, New York Appleseed

Participants

• Sonya Douglass Horsford, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Jessica Cruz, Northern Michigan University

• Iman Abdul, Education Consultancy Intern

Presenters

• Olivia Dunbar, Epic Theatre Ensemble

• Vickandy Figueroa, Epic Theatre Ensemble

• Jeremiah Green, Epic Theatre Ensemble

• Davion Osbourne, Epic Theatre Ensemble

Discussants

• Sonya Douglass Horsford, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Jessica Cruz, Northern Michigan University