Understanding our communities is an invaluable skill for educators to nurture. Now more than ever, learning communities are creating opportunities for educators to understand the groups into which they pour their skills and talents. Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education and the Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives (ODII) are facilitating the 2022 Diversity Forum on June 7 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and June 8 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Regions Community Resource Room on the 4th floor of Samford’s Cooney Hall.

Together, we will learn and network with other P-12 and higher education professionals to share ideas regarding diversity in education, from best practices to the importance of understanding bias and the practical applications thereof. In addition to workshop sessions with ODII staff and others, keynote speakers Tyrone Howard and Jacqueline Trimble will also address attendees.

Howard is a professor in the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Education and Information Studies. In his presentation, “Why Equity & Diversity Matters Now,” Howard will address some of the pressing challenges that schools, districts, cities and states face in the quest for educational equity. Drawing from evidence-based policies and practices, he will offer strategies, suggestions and solutions on how school, community, government and local leaders can all play an instrumental role in creating the schools and communities that all students need and deserve to thrive.

Trimble is a professor of English and chairs the Department of Languages and Literatures at Alabama State University. Her work has appeared in various online and print publications. She will share from her experiences as an educator and community voice.

Opportunities for personal and profession development are always meaningful and have immeasurable impacts on the students we serve. This will be a time of growth and connection. To register, click the button below. Should you need to pay via purchase order, please contact Demetria Shuford, administrative assistant to the associate dean in Orlean Beeson School of Education by emailing dshuford@samford.edu.

Orlean Beeson School of Education and the Office of Diversity of Intercultural Initiatives are grateful for several organizations who are serving as partners to support this endeavor: The Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation and The Louie M. and Betty M. Phillips Foundation