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The Public Square with Dr. David Johns

A lecture and community conversation about the pursuit of social justice, racial equity and an inclusive democracy.

The Public Square lecture and conversation series kicks off MLK Holiday programming with educator and policy wonk Dr. David Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition - the nation’s oldest civil rights organization dedicated to the twin goals of racial equity and LGBTQ+ equality.

The self described “disruptor-in-chief” will be joined in conversation with Dr. Chris Emdin, professor of Education at the University of Southern California. Dr. Emdin serves as a director of youth engagement and community partnerships at the USC Race and Equity Center. 

During this Public Square conversation, Dr. Johns and Emdin will unpack the importance of centering intersectionality in pursuing social justice, racial equity, and an inclusive democracy.

The Public Square is a lecture series that connects leaders and innovators with the public to talk about the next phase of their work or scholarship. The traditionally prepared and packaged speeches will be replaced by engaging conversations that push discipline forward to a new higher level of equity.

Sponsored by the DC Public Library Foundation, and the Anacostia Community Museum.

For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.

About Dr. David Johns 

Dr. David J. Johns is the chief executive officer and executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Johns was appointed the first executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans by President Barack Obama and served from 2013-2017.

Dr. Johns was a senior education policy advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under the leadership of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and has served under the leadership of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Dr. Johns was a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY). Dr. Johns received his Ph.D. in sociology and education policy at Columbia University. Dr. Johns obtained a master’s degree in sociology and education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude. He graduated with honors from Columbia College, Columbia University in 2004 with a triple major in English, creative writing, and African American studies. Dr. Johns was named to the Out100 list in 2021, the Root100 in both 2013 and 2014, Ebony’s Power 100 in 2015, and received an early career award from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2016.

Christopher Emdin is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is also Director of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the STEAM DREAM & Idea Lab.

He is currently Scholar in Residence at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Alumni Fellow at the Hip-hop Archive and Hutchins Center at Harvard University. He previously served as Robert Naslund Chair in Curriculum Theory at the University of Southern California, STEAM Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State and Minorities in Energy Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Dr. Emdin holds a Ph.D in Urban Education with a concentration in Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Masters degrees in both Natural Sciences and Education and Bachelors degrees in Physical Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry.

He is the creator of the #HipHopEd social media movement, Science Genius BATTLES and Collider Classroom. He was recently named one of the 27 people bridging divides in the United States by Time magazine and the Root 100 list of most influential African Americans.

He is the author of numerous award winning works including the award-winning, Urban Science Education for the Hip-hop Generation and the New York Times bestseller, For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll too. His latest books are Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Excellence and STEM STEAM Make Dream.

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