social justice parenting

Can you start by describing yourself?

I’m a Black woman, wife and mother of five beautiful human beings. I am an empath, which is my superpower that I use to fuel my passion and create ripples of change in the spaces I occupy. I am also a professor, author, consultant and coach—all of which I use to advocate for belonging and inclusion.

Whatʼs your experience with education?

I have been an educator for over thirty years. I have degrees in child development, elementary education, and curriculum and inclusion. I started my teaching career in the kindergarten classroom and am now a professor in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University, where I teach undergraduate and graduate classes focused on diversity, inclusion, culturally responsive teaching, anti-racist curriculum, social justice education and critical race theory.

How old are your kids?

I have five incredible children who allow me to share their stories in ways that support other families going through some of the same challenges and wins that weʼve experienced as a family. They are my north star and why this work is so important to me. I have one daughter, my oldest, who is 21 years old, and I have four sons, ages 19, 15, 14 and 12. They keep my life busy and full of joy.

What topics do you talk about most?

We talk quite a bit about race-related issues. As a multi-racial family, I am African American, and my husband is Caucasian; itʼs something that my husband and I have always been open and honest about with our children. We talk about the importance of self-identity and how the world will put them in a box or may label them something different. And we talk about racism, both individual and systemic, in the world. As a Black mum, I want my kids to be prepared to live in their skin, both the beauty and the pain. We also often discuss our own privileges (and marginalisation) as a family and as individuals in society and how that impacts our role in giving back or supporting others.