Standing Up for Black Students: Navigating the Pandemic With Courageous Leadership Moves.

• In Event: Listening to and Advocating for Students: Recentering Equitable Leadership

Abstract

This case study involves an in-depth examination of the experiences and introspection of Ms. Strong, a veteran school leader, as she led her school through the coronavirus pandemic. Strong's discovery of critical theories and conceptualizations of deficit thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic compelled her to reimagine the education she offered her school community. This paper addresses the need for the culturally responsive leadership that intentionally identifies and redresses white supremacy and the need for instructional practices that promote anti-Black racism and establish equity and fairness for Black students and communities. The author examined her journey of critical self-reflection and chronicled her process to establish equity and justice to build trust with students and develop a community-based epistemology.

Authors

• Donya Odom, Eastern Michigan University

• Rema Reynolds, Eastern Michigan University

• Clyde Barnett, Eastern Michigan University

• Simone Brown, Eastern Michigan University

• Shondra Marshall, Michigan State University

• Mia Rollack, Eastern Michigan University

• Dikea Ahisha Taylor-Santiago, Eastern Michigan University