An Evening with Dr. Bettina Love

Dr. Love explores the essential elements of cultivating culturally responsive schools and classrooms. Grounded in the belief that love and joy are the foundation of meaningful relationships, Dr. Love highlights the importance of care, empathy, and mutual respect in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments.

Creativity is presented as a critical component, serving as a powerful tool to honor diverse cultural experiences, spark innovation, and engage students in ways that affirm their identities and ignite their curiosity, creating a deeper sense of belonging. Through captivating storytelling, evidence-based research, and actionable strategies, this event equips educators with a blueprint for designing transformative spaces where every child feels valued, empowered, and inspired to thrive.

Dr. Bettina L. Love holds the esteemed William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal. This groundbreaking work garnered the prestigious Stowe Prize for Literary Activism and was a finalist for the LA Times Book Award. Recognized by the Kennedy Center in 2022 as one of the Next 50 Leaders dedicated to fostering inspiration, inclusivity, and compassion, Dr. Love's impact extends far beyond academia. In 2024, she received the Truth Award for Excellence in Education from Better Brothers Los Angeles and The Diva Foundation.

Dr. Love actively contributes to its mission of nurturing and empowering educators and parents committed to combating injustice within their educational institutions and communities. Additionally, Dr. Love played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Task Force behind the groundbreaking program "In Her Hands," a significant guaranteed income pilot initiative disbursing more than $13 million to support Black women in Georgia.

Renowned as a highly sought-after public speaker, Dr. Love covers a wide range of compelling topics in her engagements, including abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, educational reparations, and the use of art-based education to foster youth civic engagement. Her profound insights and expertise have earned her recognition in various news outlets, including NPR, PBS, The Daily Beast, Time, Education Week, The Guardian, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives honored Dr. Love with a resolution for her impactful contributions to the field of education. Her bestseller We Want To Do More Than Survive has sold close to 200,000 copies and has become a staple in classrooms around the country. She is a leading voice in the field of education.

Info: We will provide an array of pre-talk hors d'oeuvres. Come early, reconnect with other alumni and Cal teacher education community!

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