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Restorative Practice: The Adultification of Black & Brown Children

Schools across the country suspend Black and Brown students at higher rates than their White peers. Unfortunately, this is true in Delaware as well. The perception of students of color plays a role – what’s referred to as adultification. This session will highlight the harm it causes and more importantly, how it can be addressed by building inclusive and welcoming school environments through restorative practices.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Malik Muhammad, Akoben Founder

Dr. Abdul-Malik Muhammad has over 25 years serving both youth and adults as an educator, transformational leader, entrepreneur and author. Always working with the underserved in urban and rural areas, he has focused on the development of boys to men, establishing a pedagogy for oppressed youth, and building progressive organizations. He is currently the founder and CEO of several educational, mental health, and human services operations, including Akoben LLC and Transforming Lives Inc. Through this work, he is continuing to diligently “transform lives, one community at a time.” He is the author of The Restorative Journey – Book One: The Theory and Application of Restorative Practices and contributing author of the recently released Colorizing Restorative Justice: Voicing Our Realities.

He has a BA in International Affairs from Franklin & Marshall College, an MA in Educational Leadership from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware. He lives in Delaware with his wife, children and father.

Khayree Bey, Colonial School District Teacher

M.Ed. 2021 Colonial School District Teacher of the Year, 2020 Lt. Governor’s Challenge Wellness Leadership Award, and 2019 SHAPE Delaware’s Health Teacher of the Year. Bey was recently appointed to Delaware Standards Board and is on Delaware State Education Association’s Trainer Cadre. Currently Bey implements an equity-based trauma and poverty-informed SEL approach to teaching MBSR, Kemetic yoga and other self-care practices. Bey also serves on two of his school district’s anti-racist equity teams The Educators of Color Council which focuses on equity and the underrepresented population in teaching by recruiting, assisting, and maintaining educators of color and The Equity Audit Committee which identifies and addresses diversity, equity and inclusion issues to better serve all students and the community.

Equetta Jones, Red Clay Assistant Principal, Highlands Elementary

Ed.S. 2018 Delaware Assistant Principal, 2020 NAESP National Assistant Principal of the Year, 2021 Life Changer of the Year Nominee. Ms. Jones was recently appointed to the Delaware Association of School Principals Board and is a Delaware trauma-informed care cadre member. Currently, Ms. Jones conducts book studies for assistant principals which promote the implementation of trauma and poverty-informed best practices. Jones believes that every school deserves a champion!