Addressing the Unspoken: Race and Culture in the Classroom (Series)

Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Dates: April 23rd, May 16th, and May 30th

Cost: Free

CHCs– 1.5 Contact Hours each session (potential for 4.5 total)

Location: YWCA of Asheville

Each 90-minute session will provide food and child care free of charge (only for those who register in advance). Sessions will include watching one short, locally-created video followed by facilitated discussion and time for personal reflection. These videos invite early educators to hear true stories, told first-hand, about real-life experiences of Buncombe BIPOC families (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in our early education classrooms. Participants see the “behind the scenes” impact of educators’ comments and actions that may, at first glance, seem “normal” or “minor,” but had significant, often long-term impacts on BIPOC children and families. Much of the discussion will center around recognizing and reckoning with unconscious bias and the differences between someone’s intention and their impact on others.

April 23, 2024 Raising Awareness of Implicit Bias in Early Education

May 16, 2024 Raising Awareness of Cultural Bias in Early Education

May 30, 2024 Raising Awareness of Discipline Practices across Different Cultures in Early Education

Project background: In the fall of 2022, a group of mostly Black and brown teachers and family members of young children came together to tell their own stories of how race and culture have shown up in their classrooms and the classrooms of their kids. They told stories of feeling welcome in some spaces and less welcome in others. They expressed real worry for three- and four-year-olds who were being asked to leave their schools, and discussed the national and state data that show black children are excluded way more than white children. After hearing each other’s stories, they realized how powerful stories like this can be, so they decided to capture stories like theirs on video to invite more early educators into the conversation. They developed three short videos, centered around true stories of local Buncombe County families and teachers. Each of these videos highlights 2 local stories and asks early educators who watch them to reflect on unconscious, implicit biases. They help viewers see how actions that seem minor to one person can have huge, lasting impacts on another. They also offer suggestions to be more inclusive and resources for further discussion and learning.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

YWCA of Asheville, 185 South French Broad Avenue, Asheville, United States