At this week's Round Table, Emily, Heba, and Kenisha spoke with Evalaurene Jean-Charles, a dedicated educator, advocate, and the CEO & Founder of Black on Black Education, an organization that aims to revolutionize education by promoting student-centered approaches and empowering young people of color to become change agents for change. She is also a 9th grade history teacher in the South Bronx, where she continues to make a profound impact on her students’ lives.
Evalaurene’s remarkable journey in education began as a teacher at an alternative sentencing program in Brooklyn, where she worked as a tutor and workshop provider for students who faced gaps in their education due to incarceration. This experience ignited her passion for educational equity and social justice, leading her to pursue further studies.
Throughout her career, Evalaurene has actively sought opportunities to contribute to the field of education beyond the classroom. She has participated in prestigious programs such as the Vocal Justice Fellowship, where she facilitated curriculum focused on developing students’ public speaking skills in a critical and engaging manner. Additionally, she has been involved in the reDesign K-12 Content Mapping Design Studio, collaborating with multicultural content experts to redefine important and relevant disciplinary content for K-12 education.
Evalaurene’s dedication to sharing her expertise and insights extends beyond her immediate community. She has spoken at numerous conferences, engaging educators and students in conversations about educational equity, social justice, and empowering young people of color. Her contributions to the field have been recognized and in June 2021, she was honored with the 30 Under 30 Award, which recognizes emerging leaders of Caribbean heritage who demonstrate exceptional commitment and engagement in their professional, academic, or personal pursuits.
With her combination of hands-on teaching experience, academic expertise, and passion for social change, Evalaurene Jean-Charles is doing an incredible job empowering young people of color and transforming education into a more inclusive, student-centered, and equitable space and will inspire you throughout this episode. Thank you for listening!
