The Black Educational Advocacy Coalition

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The Black Educational Advocacy Coalition

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Founded in 2018, the Black Educational Advocacy Coalition (BEAC) is a nationally based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equity and ensuring the success of Black students and educators.

04/22/2026

THIS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY - The 5th Annual Equity Conference

A note from Dr. Patrick Rice, BEAC President
"In today’s cultural climate, where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts are often misunderstood or politicized, our work becomes even more critical. Whether you serve on a school board, lead a district, teach in a classroom, or advocate in your community, your influence matters. Equity must live in every decision, every policy, and every interaction. Together, we are creating a space where bold ideas are shared, courageous conversations are held, and meaningful strategies are developed to dismantle systemic barriers that continue to impact students of color, students with disabilities, and those from historically marginalized communities."

Tickets are available, https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

04/20/2026

Locha Brooks & Eric Rowe will present, "𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲." They will be presenting at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference in Oak Brook, IL, on April 24th.

Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
This session presents emerging dissertation research that examines how K–12 practitioners interpret and implement culturally responsive professional development within systems shaped by race, power, and institutional policy. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, the study centers practitioner narratives as counter-stories that reveal how equity initiatives are understood, resisted, internalized, and enacted in real educational contexts. Rather than positioning educators as passive recipients of professional learning, this research recognizes them as active agents navigating complex institutional systems. Participants will explore the systemic, cultural, and organizational factors that influence practitioners’ capacity to sustain transformational change in schools and districts. Through guided reflection and collaborative dialogue, attendees will analyze common barriers that limit the effectiveness of equity-centered professional learning. Participants will also examine practitioner-identified elements that make culturally responsive professional development meaningful, actionable, and sustainable. This interactive session invites educators and leaders to reimagine professional development as a critical site for equity leadership, institutional reflection, and transformative change in education.

04/17/2026

Dr. Heather Watson with MED-ADVO-C, will be presenting, "𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐔𝐁," at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference on April 24th, in Oak Brook, IL.

Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
Traditional discipline systems disproportionately impact students of color, particularly Black students, contributing to racial disparities in suspension and exclusion.

This interactive session invites participants to experience a condensed version of the HUB, a restorative, social-emotional learning (SEL)-based alternative to exclusionary discipline embedded within school-based health services. Rather than presenting theory alone, attendees will actively engage in core HUB components that demonstrate how dignity-centered behavioral health support can transform school culture.

04/16/2026

An Invitation & Call to Action from Dr. Patrick Rice

"We are just one week away from The Black Educational Advocacy Coalition’s 5th Annual Educational Equity Conference.

At a time when conversations around equity are being challenged, redefined, and, in some spaces, resisted, our conference represents something powerful: a collective commitment to stand firm in the belief that every student deserves access, opportunity, and the chance to thrive.

This year's conference was intentionally designed as more than a convening. It is a call to action. Our theme, “Leading with Equity: From the Boardroom to the Classroom,” challenges each of us to reflect on our role as leaders and change agents."

Read the full letter and register today, https://www.thebeac.org/post/a-invitation-call-to-action-from-dr-patrick-rice

04/13/2026

Dr. Ambareen Nasir & Dr. Courtney L. Barcus, both of Loyola University Chicago, will present, "𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬," at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference in Oak Brook, IL on April 24th.

Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
Cultural objects offer powerful opportunities for promoting equity and access by positioning students’ cultural knowledge as an asset for learning (Vygotsky,1978). When cultural objects serve as central instructional anchors, rather than illustrative examples, students gain authentic, meaningful entry points into mathematical content, experience greater belonging, and are affirmed as capable mathematical thinkers and doers.

In this workshop, teachers will first explore a variety of cultural objects, such as henna, beads, drums, from both local and global contexts, and learn how to intentionally align such objects to mathematical learning goals and practices. Participants will follow a five-step Anti-Racist Mathematics Education cycle (Equitable Math Toolkit, 2021) to plan a lesson or unit using cultural objects aligned to their curriculum, leaving with concrete tools for designing instruction that is mathematically rigorous, culturally sustaining, and equity-centered.

Workshop Deliverables
• Articulate an expanded view of what counts as mathematics in classroom instruction.
• Apply a practical framework to analyze local and global African cultural objects for mathematical practices and concepts.
• Draft ideas for integrating cultural objects into an upcoming lesson or unit.

04/09/2026

Wanakee Trask is the Founder and Executive Director of . She will be presenting, “𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞" at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference on April 24th, in Oak Brook, IL.

Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
“Beyond the Buzzwords: Reimagining DEI as Practice, Not Performance” invites educators and school leaders to examine how equity actually shows up in everyday school decisions. Many institutions publicly commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion, yet the habits that shape leadership and decision-making often remain unchanged. This session explores how well-intentioned systems can unintentionally reproduce the very inequities they aim to address. Participants will examine how leadership habits influence school culture, opportunity, and student outcomes. Using real examples from school environments, the session highlights how small decisions shape the experiences young people have every day. Participants will analyze who typically holds influence in school decisions and whose voices are often missing from the table. The workshop introduces practical tools for examining whether policies, routines, and expectations truly align with stated equity values. Rather than focusing on new initiatives, the session centers on shifts in leadership practice that influence culture over time. Attendees will leave with strategies they can apply in classrooms, leadership teams, and district decision-making spaces. The goal is simple: move equity from language into daily leadership practice.

www.elevategreatnesschi.org

04/08/2026

Dr. Dwayne Williams will be presenting, "𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟓 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬!" at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference on April 24th in Oak Brook, IL.

Register now! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
In this interactive breakout session, Dr. Dwayne D. Williams introduces a practical approach to culturally grounded instructional design using the LEARN Framework—a five-step roadmap for designing culturally responsive activities. Participants will engage in a mock circle session that demonstrates how culturally responsive activities can be designed in real time. Through this hands-on experience, educators will see how theory can be translated into clear, actionable design decisions. The session models a process developed with educators for educators who want practical tools they can apply immediately. By the end, participants will understand the five steps for designing culturally responsive activities using LEARN—and experience the process firsthand.

https://thelearnframeworkacademy.org/

04/07/2026

Dr. Michael Robinson with Proximity Learning will be presenting, "𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬," at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference on April 24th, in Oak Brook, IL.

Register today. https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
Across the country, districts are facing an urgent challenge: how to meet every student’s Special Services requirements amid growing caseloads and persistent staffing shortages. When special education teachers fall behind on IEP development or compensatory minutes, the impact on student equity is immediate and significant.
What if the right professional support isn’t local—but still within reach?
In this session, Dr. Michael Robinson will share innovative strategies to expand access to certified special education teachers, case managers, school psychologists, and therapists through livestream instruction. Discover how districts are overcoming workforce barriers, meeting compliance standards, and ensuring every student receives the services they deserve.

04/03/2026

Dr. Deborah Watson-Hill will be preseneting "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐁𝐂𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐞," at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference in Oak Brook, IL on April 24th.

Join us for a spectacular day of learning. Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:
This presentation overview highlights how meaningful parent engagement becomes equity work when schools intentionally remove barriers, build trust, and share power with families. Centered on The ABCs of Parent Engagement Framework, the session provides an equity-focused approach for building authentic school-family partnerships. Participants will explore how the framework helps educators move beyond traditional parent involvement practices toward more inclusive and culturally responsive engagement. The presentation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of families who have been historically marginalized. Attendees will examine common barriers that affect participation, communication, and access within school communities. The session will also offer practical strategies that align with the ABCs framework and support stronger relationships between schools and families. Through reflection and interactive discussion, participants will consider how their current practices either foster or limit a sense of belonging. The presentation is designed to help school leaders and educators see parent engagement as a critical component of equity and student success. Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools and ideas to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration with all families. Overall, this session positions The ABCs of Parent Engagement Framework as a powerful guide for creating more inclusive, equitable, and family-centered schools.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-watson-hill-ed-d-912a116

04/01/2026

Dr. Jennifer Rowe & Mr. Edward Piotrowski, Director of Human Resources, both of , will be presenting, "𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐓: 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠."

Join us at the 5th Annual Districts Leading with Equity Conference on April 24th in Oak Brook, IL, to hear from Dr. Rowe & Mr. Piotrowski and many more.

Register today! https://www.thebeac.org/2026beacequityconference

Session Overview:

Lyons Township High School D204 is a single high school district located in the western suburbs, and five years ago, the community developed a strategic plan, with one of the goals explicitly focused on “Hiring and Retaining a High Quality Diverse Staff.”

In this session, the Director of Equity and Belonging, along with the District’s HR Director, will share what steps the district has taken to actualize the strategic plan goal of developing a diverse staff that reflects the identities of our students as well as beliefs of fostering a Restorative Culture of Belonging. In this session, areas of focus will include:

● Redesign of the screening process to ensure more equitable outcomes and support of diversity in the candidate selection
● Hiring for Equity: the focus on equitable practices and the inclusion of an Implicit Bias training as a part of each interview experience
● District support of Affinity Spaces to foster staff belonging
● Building Routines that support the ongoing work of Equitable Practices

Address

17541 Kedzie Avenue
Hazel Crest, IL
60429

Website

https://www.thebeac.org/

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