News Hope and Community Power AOCC 2025 The annual Alumni of Color Conference welcomed alumni, students, practitioners, artists, and scholars from HGSE and across the nation to campus Posted March 4, 2025 By Ryan Nagelhout Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Inequality and Education Gaps Moral, Civic, and Ethical Education Keynote speaker Sharif El-Mekki, CEO and founder of the Center for Black Educator Development, gives his talk "Black Teaching Traditions Can Save America" Photos: Jill Anderson The Harvard Graduate School of Education hosted the Alumni of Color Conference (AOCC) on February 28 and March 1, an annual homecoming for students and presenters now in its 23rd year.The two-day event saw more than 400 registrants attend 30 different presentations from 80 speakers and educators, including keynote addresses by Sharif El-Mekki, CEO and founder of the Center for Black Educator Development, and Gholdy Muhammad, author and professor at the University of Illinois Chicago.“We are here today and tomorrow to reset the way we think. To reimagine what is possible and to move forward with boldness, tenacity, and conviction. Most importantly, we want this space to feel like a homecoming,” said AOCC 2025 co-chair Angelique Smith (Ed.L.D.) to open Friday’s keynote. “A place where we can reconnect, recharge, and reaffirm our shared purpose.”AOCC’s theme for 2025, “The Power of Critical Hope: Reset. Reimagine,” invited participants to consider how to navigate a world marked by persistent challenges and find opportunities for change.“It is more than just a call to action, it is a declaration,” said Smith. “Hope is not passive. You don’t just sit around. Hope is force. Hope is action. Hope fuels progress and ignites imagination and propels us toward justice.”AOCC’s schedule for 2025 included a number of different panels, including a session featuring high school students sharing their ideas and perspectives. Affinity breakfasts, breakout sessions and even an R&B sing-a-long highlighted the warmth and spirit of a conference that brings critical hope to Appian Way each year.“This is such an honor to be here,” said AOCC co-founder Daren Graves, Ed.D.'06, who moderated a fireside chat in Askwith Hall on Friday. “It’s always beautiful to be able to stare out in this direction and see all the faces and see the way that we transform this space.” Image opens in new tab. Kimberly Ternate Ding, Ed.M.'22, leads "Theatre Workshop: Reimagine" Image opens in new tab. Image opens in new tab. AOCC co-chair Angelique Smith (with co-chair Tremain Holloway) hypes up the crowd before the keynote speaker Image opens in new tab. Master's student Amy White's session, "Roots and Wings, Teaching the Language of Survival: Black Boys and Communication" Image opens in new tab. A full house for "The Power of Critical Hope: A Dialogue Through the Lens of Fugitive Pedagogy" Image opens in new tab. Ed.L.D. student Justis Lopez was awarded the Turner Cooper Award for Commitment to People-First Practice in Education Image opens in new tab. Image opens in new tab. Session on rethinking and refining student evaluations of teaching led by Pierre Ming, Tsan Lu, and Steve Song, Ed.M.'02, Ed.D.'07 Image opens in new tab. Dakota Doman talks about the funding and accreditation challenges of HBCUs Image opens in new tab. Harvard Visiting Professor Nicole Jenkins leads "Reimagine Research: Using AI to Empower International Scholarship and Advance Social Justice" Image opens in new tab. Image opens in new tab. Master's student Tanishia Williams presents "Neutral Narratives: The Cognitive Cost of Curriculum" News The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education Explore All Articles Related Articles News Paths Toward Justice and Joy Explored at Alumni of Color Conference Students, alumni, and other members of the HGSE community gathered for the annual celebration of best practices, cutting-edge research, and innovations that strengthen education spaces for people of color News Passing the Torch of Knowledge In its 20th year, the Alumni of Color Conference will honor historic movements in education as we prepare for a more equitable future. News AOCC 2025 Will Highlight the Power of Critical Hope The 23rd annual Alumni of Color Conference takes place at HGSE on February 28 and March 1