The Power and Possibilities of Community: 300 Shared Visions, Portraits, and Voices That Matter

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: The Biographical and Documentary Research Poster Session

Abstract

This project embodies the “power and possibilities” of biographical research by proposing an arts-based, school-to-community exhibition, within a framework of U.S. socio-historical discourse, and African-American communal engagement. The primary goals of this project are to: 1) explore shared communal identities among three district high schools in a south suburban region of Chicago, Illinois, 2) build an innovative digital portfolio of 300 portraits, video clips, and written narratives, 3) foster collaboration among district students, teachers, administration, and local community stakeholders, and 4) inspire sustainable partnerships for future community development. Grounded in academic core proficiencies, this project will celebrate the shared identities of each school while strengthening district-wide communal capital.

Authors

• Lori M. West, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Craig R. West, Rich Central High School