The University of Northern Iowa’s 11th African American Children and Families Conference will focus on "Embracing African American Children and Families’ Unique Qualities” as part of a virtual event on Friday, February 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It is our belief that if we embrace and respect individual unique qualities that there will be a better understanding among people,” says Gloria Kirkland Holmes, UNI professor emeritus and conference coordinator.

The conference, sponsored by the UNI College of Education, features keynote sessions and two concurrent tracks with a mix of topics of interest to adults as well as students in grades 6-12. UNI President Mark A. Nook will give the welcome, followed by speakers including:

• Theodora Phea Pinnock, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, Meharry Medical College
• Iheoma U. Iruka, PhD, a research professor and founding director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
• Effua McGowan, founder of Amazing You, LLC, who focuses on developing human capital 
• Chrishirella Warthen-Sutton, PhD, assistant professor at Loyola University-Chicago, who specializes in urban education, culturally responsive pedagogy and family engagement practice
• Nneka Gigi, a restorative education advocate and brain adornment artist
• Denisha Jones, PhD, JD, education justice advocate and activist, who directs the Art of Teaching Program at Sarah Lawrence College
• Sarah Montgomery, PhD, a UNI professor of elementary education with a focus on mindfulness and well-being.

Topics include: mental health among children, including the influence of the pandemic; hip-hop literacy; educational, racial and social justice; African culture; and teacher diversity and leadership. In addition, Tiffany Flowers, PhD, Georgia State University Perimeter College, leads a “Black Girls Panel” while De’Carlos Anderson, director, Educational Talent Search at UNI, will moderate a new “Black Males Panel.”

The conference is free to UNI faculty, staff and students as well as middle and high school students. There is a fee of $50 for the general public. Social work continuing education credits are also being offered. Get more information and a link to register at aac.uni.edu.

Contact:

Steve Schmadeke, Public Relations Manager, steve.schmadeke@uni.edu, 319-273-2761