Hundreds of Alums Gather for 4th Annual Alumni of Color Conference

The fourth annual Alumni of Color Conference attracted over 200 people to the HGSE campus to explore how individual commitment, community-based collaboration, and institutional responsibility can enhance the education of people of color.

"In many cases, alums return to campus specifically for this," said AOCC trichair and doctoral student Zenub Kakli."This is an opportunity to connect with friends, peers, and colleagues, and an opportunity for alums to share their research. It's a nice combination of intellectual sharing and social events."

The AOCC kicked off on Friday, March 3, and featured several panel discussions, as well as the Youth Action Research where Boston Public School students presented information, including survey data, about their schools' racial and social climate. All-day sessions on Saturday provided an opportunity for alums and students to share research and discuss various topics ranging from "The Power and Practice of Critical Pedagogy: Strategies for Teaching Multiculturalism and Diversity Classes in the Academy" to "Building Community through Action Philanthropy" and "Communities and Schools: The Role and Responsibility of the University."

"This is an opportunity to connect with friends, peers, and colleagues, and an opportunity for alums to share their research."
--AOCC trichair and doctoral student Zenub Kakli

On Saturday evening, the AOCC annual awards banquet, held at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, recognized several alumni achievements. In addition, HGSE alum John H. Jackson, Ed.D.'00, chief policy officer for the NAACP delivered an exuberant and motivating speech on taking to action.

"To have someone of that role and position is an incredible opportunity to hear him and what he has to say," Kakli said.

Jackson has received five higher education degrees. In 1999, at only 27, he was appointed by President William Clinton to the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, where he served as senior policy officer. As the NAACP's chief policy officer he is responsible for coordinating and implementing the organization's research, advocacy, training in education, health, economic empowerment, and criminal justice to name a few.

Reflecting on his experience at HGSE, Jackson commented that many people often ask him what it was like at Harvard. "You know that you can't recommend it to everyone," he said noting that attending HGSE requires a "wherewithal in order to survive." However, he noted, "The circle is not closed and I expect you to bring others in."

Turning his attention to the situation for minorities in the United States, Jackson explained that too many people were often left waiting in the waters. Despite the progress made in the country through landmark decisions like Brown v. the Board of Education, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Jackson said that we are "still losing the battle."

"It's not our growth or strength holding us back, but our action," he said, encouraging those that were most blessed to give all they have to those that are challenged.

"We are 99.6 percent the same biologically. It's not racial/ethnic differences; it's social policy and practice that lead to difference," Jackson said.

He encouraged HGSE alums and students to partake in three actions: recognize and represent all the students, recognize the role you play and do that role well, and keep the faith.

"Although it may look like things won't change... we have the ability to change."
--John H. Jackson, Ed.D.'00

You have to hold the faith "although it may look like things won't change…we have the ability to change," he said.

Two of last year's organizers, Sheena Collier, Ed.M.'05, and Rashidah Miller, Ed.M.'05, thoroughly enjoyed this year's conference, especially the Friday events where they got to hear from Boston Public School students.

Collier pointed out that the event is an important vehicle for researchers to present and share their work. "A lot of scholars of color feel they don't have a forum to do that, network, and reunite with students," she said.

At the awards conclusion, trichair and doctoral student Shannon Hodge reminded alums of all the work facing them in the next year. "This is about our community's continuous work…it's work that needs to continue."