Debunked Series

Spring 2022

Inspired by Ida B. Wells, Dr. William Edward Burghardt DuBois, Langston Hughes,

Dr. Ivory Toldson, Dr. Leslie Fenwick, Dr. Sandra Kalu, and many others.

In honor of Black History & the Present, the Howard University Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) has aimed to collaborate with fellow HU School of Education (HUSOE) student organizations, students, faculty, and guests in order to host and partake in an experience of engaging, uplifting and honoring the intersections of lived and imagined experiences of Black people. Objective: to debunk myths and negative narratives about Black individuals, communities, children, parenthood, families, experiences, creativity, intellectual contributions, and movement(s). To contribute to this work, we have developed the GSAC Debunked Series: 3-D PhotoVoice Gallery to be hosted in

Spring of 2022 from February 21 through February 25, 2022.

All Galleries Are Open!

Our Inspiration

The purpose of the Debunked Series was inspired by the work of Dr. Ivory Toldson who centered the importance of debunking myths about Black/African American students, families, and outcomes. Encouragement to pick up the torch was inspired by Dr. Leslie Fenwick’s call to action during the Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 academic year when engaging the new Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Ed.D. cohort. The decision to develop a Photovoice Gallery was considered after an assignment developed by Dr. Sandra Kalu during her first semester as a professor within the HU School of Social Work. The courage to pursue such a community-wide series was fostered by the feedback and support of Dr. Carol Moye, Ms. Brandy Jackson, and Dr. Dean Dawn G. Williams, respectively.

It is important to the Executive Team that fellow colleagues are given an opportunity to both honor and join the conversation by connecting their existing and developing work to a larger call-to-action. We aspire to provide this opportunity through a creative avenue "at home" within the HU community through the Debunked Series.

How to Join the Inaugural Debunked Series: 3D Photovoice Gallery as a Presenter or Guest

Call for Interest Applications

For the Spring 2022 showcase, participants will NOT have to be physically present for the Debunked Series. GSAC is developing and hosting the showcase via a 3D virtual platform.

Interest Application

We welcome student, faculty, and guest presenters across departments to:

Submit an Interest Application
Within the interest application, upload one to three images that tell(s) a story, convey(s) a message, or represent(s) an aspect of presenter's research that connects with the Series’s purpose
Within the interest application, an upload of 60-second audio or video recording must accompany the image(s) to capture the presenter’s intended message

Areas of Focus

The showcase will be presented within the following categories listed below. Presenters will select ONE focus area that best illuminates their content and purpose as it relates to the Series’s objective:

Academic Achievement for Black Students
The Role of HBCUs
Black Student Life
Black Expressions through the Arts (i.e. vocal performance, dance, authorship, film and others)
Black Communities & Neighborhoods
Black Intersectionality (i.e. racial identity, class, gender identity, sexuality, religious identity and other social identities)
Critical Race Theory
Black Families
Black Parenthood
The Role of Community Schools (often in urban or historically and presently segregated communities)
Impact of Black Educators
Black Joy & Health
Black Life (i.e. Luxury, Movement and the Pursuit of Happiness)
Groundbreaking & Rising Black Scholars & Theorists
Policies and Movements that Impact Black Intersections
Other: as defined by the participant

Participants who RSVP will be entered into a drawing for a special Debunked Series gift.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Leslie Fenwick

Opening Keynote Address

Leslie T. Fenwick, PhD, is noted for her expertise in leadership and ethics; public policy; and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workforce. Dr. Fenwick is Dean Emerita and a tenured professor of education policy at Howard University and Dean in Residence at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). She was one of two fully-vetted finalists for the U.S. Secretary of Education in 2020. Read more here.

Dr. Kmt Shockley

Featured Guest Speaker

Dr. Kmt Shockley is a professor in the University of Houston College of Education, he is also co-executive director of the Ka Institute, which is an organization that does consulting, community building, creates documentary films, and creates educational content. Dr. Shockley has authored dozens of articles and five books focused on the education of Black children. His two most recent books are entitled Campus Uprisings published by Teachers College Press (2020), and African Centered Education: Theory & Practice published by Myers Education Press (2020). Read more here.

Dr. Shannon Waite

Featured Faculty Speaker & Showcase

Shannon R. Waite, Ed.D., joined the faculty in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies division as a visiting assistant professor at Howard University in the fall of 2021. She transitioned to Howard University from Fordham University where she worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Graduate School of Education from 2016-2021. Read more here.

Dr. Dawn Williams

Howard University School of Education Dean

Dr. Dawn Williams is the Dean of the Howard University School of Education. Her teaching experience spans over two decades where she has taught elementary students, high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, and Ph.D. STEM faculty. Underlying all of her work are premises that include the indoctrination of social justice through teaching, research, and service. Read more here.

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