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The College of Education’s Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research (CRJ) will host its fourth annual Youth Board Teach-In, featuring workshops throughout the day followed by evening keynote talk and discussion with nationally renowned author and educator Gholdy Muhammad, on Friday, May 2 in Furcolo Hall.  

Founded in 2020 by College of Education associate professors Jamila Lyiscott and Keisha Green, the CRJ centers BIPOC youth voices in educational research, teacher training and justice-oriented pedagogy. Each year, its Youth Board, composed of high school students from area schools, leads the design and facilitation of the teach-in’s programming. 

This year’s Teach-In aims to amplify youth leadership by offering opportunities to teach and lead, build connections across schools, communities, and educators, invite new youth to join the CRJ Youth Board, and spark meaningful learning through engagement with Muhammad’s work.

The two-part event begins with a youth-centered teach-in from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., where middle school, high school and youth organization participants will engage in interactive, student-led workshops. The morning program includes a light breakfast and a special session with Lyiscott, a leading voice in educational justice and youth-led research. 

In the evening, the broader UMass Amherst and local community are invited to attend a keynote and book-signing event with Muhammad from 6-7:45 p.m. The keynote, followed by a Q&A facilitated by the Youth Board, will spotlight Muhammad’s work in culturally responsive teaching, as outlined in her books, “Cultivating Genius” and “Unearthing Joy.”

“I’m asked to serve on panels about youth issues all the time where there are no youth present—or maybe one or two. This is different. This is for youth, by youth,” Green says. 

Green also emphasizes the power of learning spaces rooted in relevance and joy. 

“I hope students and teachers walk away knowing that teaching and learning can still be a radical space,” she says. “We can have high expectations of young people of color, and they will rise to the occasion—with enthusiasm.” 

For more information, visit the College of Education events webpage or reach out to racialjustice@umass.edu, and follow @umasscrj on social media for real-time updates.