The Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (ELC) in UNC Greensboro’s School of Education hosted its eighth annual Brock’s Critical Conversations Conference (BCCC) (formerly Critical Conversations Conference) on Saturday, March 21. This year’s theme was “The Urgency of Now: Leading and Learning in Uncertain Times.” The theme addressed the urgent need for educators, students, artists, and communities to engage in critical dialogue and action around social justice, leadership, and learning in an increasingly uncertain and rapidly changing world.
The conference is named in honor of the late Dr. Rochelle Brock, former chair of the ELC department, who founded the BCCC along with five doctoral students. They envisioned that the conference would allow for open dialogue about the arts, education, activism, and pressing social issues. Dr. Tiffanie Lewis-Durham, an assistant professor in the ELC, has coordinated the conference since 2021, along with a committee of ELC faculty, students, and staff. In her welcome address, Dr. Lewis-Durham reminded attendees that their “work and voices are more critical than ever” and to stay grounded in hope.
In addition, the BCCC hosted Dr. James E. Ford, Executive Director of The Center for Racial Equity in Education, as the keynote speaker. In his address, “We are STILL in Service: Holding onto Humanity in the Climate of Disconnection,” he emphasized that in a regressive socio-political climate that seeks to undermine equity and pluralism, the commitment to justice and human interconnectedness remains vital and ongoing. Conference attendees also participated in breakout sessions, which included topics like “Who Belongs? A Conversation Around Including All Stakeholders,” facilitated by Dr. Carol Johnson, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Specialized Education Services, and “How Immigration Policy Impacts Families and Children,” facilitated by Jodie Stanley, International Support and Language Access Coordinator in the Human Rights Department for the City of Greensboro.
This year, there were more than 100 registrants for the BCCC, and attendees shared rave reviews about their experiences. They also had the opportunity to engage with student leaders from The Middle College at UNCG, who shared firsthand experiences from a student-led advocacy initiative, highlighting the strategies, challenges, and collective power of student voices through a walkout. When asked about their favorite part of the conference, one attendee stated, “I really enjoyed the breakout sessions that I attended. Not only were the sessions critical conversations, but they either took that conversation to a deeper level for consideration, or provided tools to step into an action role within a conversation.” Responding to the same question, another attendee stated that their favorite part was, “Hearing from the Middle College students and their courageous leadership!”
ELC appreciates the support from the BCCC planning committee and the support of all who participated in this year’s ELC BCCC event. Look for invitations to next year’s event.
Photo credit: VanderVeen Photography
