Saturday, May 3, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Berkeley High School
The Banned Scholars Project in African American Studies at UC Berkeley and the African American Studies Department of Berkeley High School present a community convening about defending public education from kindergarten to college in the face of the current crisis. We invite Bay Area educators, students, and community members to join the conversation on how to resist the ongoing attacks and build collective resilience. Together, we will imagine new ways to strengthen support for public education in Berkeley and across the state to advance our mission of equity and social justice.
Co-Sponsored by: Berkeley High School, the Berkeley School of Education, Ethnic Studies, Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity, The American Cultures Center, High School Ethnic Studies Initiative (HSESI), and the Center for Race and Gender.
Speakers
Travis J. Bristol is an associate professor of teacher education and education policy in Berkeley’s School of Education and (by courtesy) the Department of African American Studies. He is also the faculty director of the Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity. Dr. Bristol explores three related research strands: (1) the role of educational policies in shaping teacher workplace experiences and retention; (2) district and school-based professional learning communities; (3) the role of race and gender in educational settings. Dr. Bristol’s research has appeared in over 70 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, policy briefs, and opinion editorials. Among his awards is the 2025 U.C. Berkeley Chancellor’s Award for Public Service - Faculty - Community Engaged Teaching Award.
Enikia Ford Morthel is an urban educator and community activist. With over 24 years as an educator in California, she has facilitated the turn-around of “underperforming” schools and incubation of new schools in some of the Bay Area’s highest needs communities. In her third year as the Superintendent of Berkeley Unified School District, Enikia has led BUSD’s focus on instructional coherence and advanced the district’s efforts towards Excellence, Equity, Enrichment, and Engagement. Enikia has also served as the San Francisco Unified’s Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. She has been the Chief of Schools in Oakland, principal in a number of Bay Area public school districts, Instructional Coach and an Elementary School Teacher. Regardless of the title or role, Enikia is consistent in her dedication to creating public education experiences that are revolutionary, relevant, and responsive for students and families.
Joemy Ito-Gates, she/her, is a mother and Ethnic Studies educator in Berkeley Unified School District, on unceded Ohlone land, where she has taught for over twenty years. She is also engaged in community organizing work in the Japanese American community. She is a practicing Buddhist and is the Co-Superintendent of the Buddhist Church of Oakland’s Dharma School.
Keith Brown, is the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Keith is an Oakland native and has worked for 22 years as a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. Keith previously served as President of the Oakland Education Association (OEA). Under Keith’s leadership, OEA teachers won major gains during a historic seven-day strike in February 2019. Tens of thousands of Oaklanders of all ages joined teachers on picket lines and at mass rallies and actions in a fight for the future of public schools in Oakland. As OEA President, Keith worked in collaboration with labor and community to elect new school board members and stop a plan to close six neighborhood schools with predominantly Black student populations.
Spencer Pritchard is currently a teacher and Co-Chair of the African American Studies Department at Berkeley High School. He teaches various social science courses within the department - African American History, Black Economics, Black Psychology and more. As Co-Chair, he hosts numerous programs such as the Black Scholar Center and Black Graduation. Additionally, he advises the campus’ Black Student Union and works to build Black teacher leadership and community across his campus, district and beyond. He has his BA in African American Studies from UC Berkeley, teaching credential from SF State, and MA in History with a concentration in teaching at CSU East Bay.
Skyler Barton is a native of Berkeley, CA, and has remained a lifelong community member of the East Bay. Barton earned a BA in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University, as well his M.S. in Counseling, where he was awarded the Peggy H. Smith Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Forever a “coach” at heart, Barton has served as an educator in Berkeley for more than two decades, first as a middle school athletic director and then as a college counselor at his alma mater, Berkeley High School, prior to transitioning to Berkeley City College in 2015. In 2011, Skyler was presented with a Proclamation from the City of Berkeley Office of the Mayor, declaring June 15th, 2011, “Skyler Barton Day,” in recognition of his commitment to supporting youth and members of the Berkeley community. Barton remains devoted to creating opportunities to support youth and young adults in visioning their futures with endless possibility. He is a well versed emcee and keynote speaker who enters spaces with a collaborative spirit and extraordinary passion, welcoming opportunities to partner and level up. Most importantly, he is a proud father of two amazing and energetic boys, Dominic (12) and Tristan (10).
Jen Corn is a lifelong educator and a BUSD parent, with deep connections to Berkeley public schools. She has served as a Spanish bilingual teacher, Elementary principal, and afterschool program coordinator in Berkeley and Oakland public schools, and is currently Director of School Improvement for Oakland Unified. She was elected to the Berkeley School Board in November 2024. Jen holds a BA in Educational Studies from Brown University, a Masters in Education from Mills College, and a Masters in Educational Administration from UC Berkeley.