For decades, extensive funding, training, and instructional practices have focused on improving the academic outcomes for students who have been historically underserved. Yet, for all these efforts, the challenges remain. In this session, the presenter will focus on recent research in the area of race-based stress and its impact on the academic performance and overall well-being for minoritized youth. Emphasizing the need for placing culture at the center of trauma-informed care, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji will inspire, challenge, and motivate educators to update their practices and policies to give voice to the experiences of minoritized schoolchildren. Dr. West-Olatunji will discuss race-based trauma and then provide examples of evidence-based, culture-centered programs that have changed the trajectory for underserved youth. These programs have a focus on resiliency, empowerment, and self-actualization for youth who are, far too often, unseen and unheard in our educational systems.

Meet the Author
Wednesday, February 7 from 5:30pm - 6:00pm Pacific
Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji will be greeting in-person attendees at the "Meet the Author" counter in the Portland Ballroom lobby on Level 2.