Sanctuaries of Justice: The Black Church as a Site of Educational Advocacy, Memory, and Resistance

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 7:45 am
  In Poster Session: Unpacking the Intersections of Parent, Family and Community Engagement

Abstract

This exploratory case study will examine the enduring role of Black churches in advancing educational equity for historically marginalized students in Austin, Texas. When UT Austin canceled Black graduation ceremonies under Texas's anti-DEI legislation, a historic Black church intervened, offering its space to honor displaced graduates. While this act reflects a long tradition of faith-based advocacy, such contributions remain underexamined in education policy and administration discourse. Grounded in Black Liberation Theology and Black Crit Theory, this study will investigate how Black churches have historically and continue to advance equity amid systemic injustice and demographic shifts. By centering community voices, the study will reimagine Black churches as vital yet contested partners in school-community collaborations and contribute to equity-driven policy and research.

Authors

• Brandon La'Shaun Wooley, The University of Texas System

• SeongGyeong Park, University of Texas at Austin