Kofi LeNiles (Towson University): "Learning from the Maroons: Leveraging Culture to Meet the Needs of Black Children"
| Dates: | 13 March 2024 |
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| Times: | 17:00 - 17:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | School of Arts, Languages and Cultures |
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| Speaker: | Kofi LeNiles |
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Part of the research seminar of the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. This event will be online and can be followed here: https://zoom.us/j/95860231166
Abstract: Dr. Kofi LeNiles' talk examines the lessons learned from studying a Maroon group in South America, which are applicable to understanding the need for culturally-centered approaches to education, specifically for Black children and, more broadly, for all children. LeNiles advances the theory of African-centered education to explain how culturally centered approaches to education, particularly those centered around African/Black/African-American culture, greatly enhance the socioacademic well-being of Black students.
LeNiles asserts that the failure to integrate African-centered approaches to education has contributed to the challenges Black children experience in the public school system. He also asserts that failing to leverage children's culture in public schools has a detrimental impact on all children. LeNiles concludes with recommendations for implementing culturally centered approaches to education to improve the education system.
Speaker
Kofi LeNiles
Role: Assistant Professor
Organisation: Towson University
Biography: Dr. Kofi LeNiles is an African-American academic scholar and filmmaker and has worked on education initiatives around the world. In 2014, Kofi led an effort to build a large school library in Agogo, Ghana, and in 2012 he traveled to Ecuador and worked with an Indigenous group to improve their local school curriculum. He made his film debut as the co-executive producer and co-writer of the film entitled For Humanity: Culture, Community, and Maroonage (2018).
Travel and Contact Information
