Higher Ed Conversations in Black

The voices and perspectives of Black higher education thought leaders and scholars are vital for imagining better colleges and universities. The ways Black higher education thought leaders reckon with and study higher education have significant power and impact; they offer a distinctive outlook on where higher education currently stands and where it has the potential to go. Their voices serve as a resounding call to listen more intently and act more intentionally.

Inspired by Ed Gordon’s book Conversations in Black: On Power, Politics, and Leadership, the Pullias Center for Higher Education introduces a new series, Higher Ed Conversations in Black. The series is designed to serve as a complement to the rapid and diffuse Twitter cycle and to center Black voices and perspectives. Every other month, we intentionally curate questions around higher education issues and priorities for an invited group of Black higher education thought leaders. Invited contributors are asked to share short, searing, and lyrical commentary (100-200 words) with an aim toward helping higher education become a more supportive and equitable environment for all. The commentary we ask invited contributors to share is meant to both evoke new conversations and offer novel perspectives on existing issues that plague higher education.

Our hope is that readers will absorb the commentary offered through this series and begin asking themselves the same questions as we work collectively to disrupt the normative practices and policies of higher education.

Issue 03 - Reimagining What’s Next for the U.S. and Higher Education

Issue 03 – “Black History Month — A Moment for Pause and Action“

Introduction by
Steve Desir
Program Coordinator for the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN) Research Hub, Doctoral Candidate

Contributions by

James Bridgeforth
Ph.D. Candidate, Former K-12 Teacher

Dr. Alan Green
Professor of Clinical Education at USC, Spirit Elevator

Dr. Royel Johnson
Scholar, Professor, Interdisciplinarian

Dr. Amelia Parnell
VP for Research & Policy at NASPA, Optimist, Connector and Friend

Patti Colston
Chief Consultant to the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) @ the State Capitol, Associate Adjunct Professor, Advocate for Digital Innovation in College Access for Low-income Students

HIGHER ED CONVERSATIONS IN BLACK
Created by Jordan Harper