SOE 2023


Africa, the Global Climate Crisis, and Reparations

AAI’s 8th annual State of Education on Africa conference on “Africa, the Global Climate Crisis, and Reparations” took place virtually on Friday, January 20th, 2023. Following the conference theme, our speakers discussed the interconnections between reparations and the climate crisis in Africa and the world at large, and set stage for people of all ages and backgrounds to simultaneously draw lessons from world history and pursue practical approaches to achieving climate justice and repair.

Virtual Conference

January 20, 2023

Watch the Conference

Conference Speakers

OPENING REMARKS

Kofi Appenteng

President, AAI


Mora Mclean

President emerita, Program Advisor, AAI


KEYNOTE SPEAKER

To meet the necessary challenge of transforming K-12 education we must better serve historically marginalized students — exposing them to topical subjects such as climate change and reparations in ways that increase both their knowledge and achievement.

Dorinda Carter Andrews, Ed.D.

Chairperson and Professor, College of Education, Michigan State University


Human Survival and Climate Change: Lessons from Africa’s Deep Past

Early human beings in the geographical space that we now refer to as “Africa” confronted different versions of climate change by embracing cooperation — as both a mode of survival and cultural value.

Shayla Monroe, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California Santa Barbara


Author Book Talk – Crossing the Stream

A starred Kirkus review described Crossing the Stream as a “richly textured contemporary story set in Ghana [that] highlights timely issues around the environment and exploitation of the poor…an immersive reading experience.”

Elizabeth-Irene Baitie

Children’s Book Author and Clinical Biochemist


Brenda Randolph

Founder, Africa Access and Children’s Africana Book Awards


The Climate Crisis, The Black World, and Reparations

Acquiring an understanding of how climate justice and colonialism intersect is critical before we can envision solutions to human-induced climate change and stem the global climate crisis.

Olùfémi Tàìwó, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy, Georgetown University


AAI K-12 Education Program Partnerships in Michigan

Michigan educators describe how AAI has helped to support their work with students as part of an ongoing program partnership. The connections between student achievement and teaching that centers Africa and its diaspora will be explored.

Letha Hopkins-Powell, Ed.D.

Principal, Walt Whitman Elementary School, Pontiac, Michigan


Lindsay Helfman

History Teacher, Marygrove High School, Detroit, Michigan


Olivia Lynch, Ed.D.

AAI Senior Education Program Advisor


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SOE 2024: "What is ‘the African Diaspora’— and Why Should it Matter to Me?"

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SOE 2021: Teaching Africa in the World