Developing Critical Racial Literacy Among Educational Leaders Through a Racial History Book Study

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Prioritizing Racialized, Indigenous, and Refugee Student Experiences (Table 11)

Abstract

Educational leaders are challenged with addressing racial inequities and injustices without adequate preparation underscoring the need for critical racial literacy development. Research suggests that it essential for educational leaders to receive more training on racial injustice, racism, and racial inequality, racially historical and institutional frameworks, and race-conscious leadership. Critical racial literacy development includes learning the history of race and racism. In this exploratory qualitative case study, educational leaders participate in a year-long book study of Kendi’s (2016), Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive history of racist ideas in America. Four emerging themes suggest that learning the history of race and racism can impact critical racial literacy development supporting educational leaders’ thinking more systematically about racial equity from an informed context.

Authors

• Diantha Beth Watts, SUNY - College at Brockport

• Crystal G Simmons, University of North Carolina - Wilmington