BE NOLA Responds to Educational Censorship: 4th Annual Black Is Brilliant Summit Offers Virtual Access to Black Educators Nationwide
NEW ORLEANS, LA – August 8, 2023 – New Orleans-based education nonprofit, BE NOLA (Black Education For New Orleans) has announced additional details for the 4th Annual Black Is Brilliant Summit. Once again this year, in a bid to offer an all-encompassing and inclusive experience, BE NOLA is providing virtual programming in addition to the in-person experience to ensure accessibility for people,regardless of their geographical location.
The current landscape of education raises questions about its ability to attract and retain Black educators and other teachers of color. This concern is exacerbated by recent legislation restricting how race andgender are taught in schools, book bans, and censoring comprehensive teaching of African American history. These initiatives create a hostile environment for all educators, but particularly for Black teachers and students. It’s an attack not only on the teaching profession at large, but specifically on the capacity to deliver compassionate, rigorous, and truthful education. The misinformation and resultant punitive actions, such as book banning and teacher reprimands, hinder educators from reaching their full potential.
Recognizing these challenges and the crucial role of Black educators, BE NOLA is extending its virtual programming to engage and support Black educators across the nation. Through the Black Is Brilliant Summit, BE NOLA aims to reinforce the importance of Black educators and empower them to continue their invaluable work, despite the adverse climate.
“Summit is a joyful, light, loving space where we learn and play! One of the BE NOLA mantras is, ‘Black education is a lifestyle’.This means we deeply understand the difference between schooling and education,” says Stevona Elem-Rogers, BE NOLA’s Chief of Programs & Community Partnerships, “This summit is a chance to expand the four walls of the classroom and immerse ourselves in how we educate ourselves and children through our history and daily lived experiences as Black people.”
The Summit schedule is Black-centered, rigorous in thought, intimate, and joyful. Participants will enjoy unfiltered, honest conversations from dynamic Black artists, activists, and thought leaders that lean into key themes important to the Black community. This year’s lineup of speakers and artists include the Hot 8 Brass Band, Secondline Shorty, DJ ANTIWIGADEE!, The Movement Made Us author David Dennis Sr., Mary Moran of Nuestra Voz, Ashley Lorraine, Watotos of Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective and many more.
The 2023 Black Is Brilliant Summit is powered by Entergy. Additional support for this program is provided by The PepsiCo Foundation. To learn more about the Black Is Brilliant Summit, or register for free, please visit www.blackisbrilliantsummit.org. To register for free virtual access, use promo code VIRTUAL during checkout.
About Black Education New Orleans (BE NOLA)
Black Education For New Orleans (BE NOLA) is a Black-governed, Black-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to support Black educators and schools to ensure an education that creates better outcomes and opportunities for Black children in New Orleans as a critical factor in building a thriving Black community that is politically, economically and socially strong.
For more information on BE NOLA, please visit www.blackedunola.org.
Media Contact
Company Name: BE NOLA
Contact Person: Angelique
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://blackisbrilliantsummit.org
