Author Bettina Love to present keynote address at Clark College's annual celebration honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
For Immediate Release
January 9, 2025
Clark College invites the community to attend its annual MLK celebration
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Clark College invites the greater Clark County community to its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration with two public events focused on healing and honoring the legacy of Dr. King. The events are presented by the college's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Both events are free and open to the public, and will take place on the Clark College main camp at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.
Learn more about MLK events at Clark College. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College's Human Resources office prior to the event via phone: 360-992-2105 or email hr@clark.edu.
Book Discussion
January 22, 10 am, PUB 161
Engage in a thought-provoking book discussion of Dr. Bettina Love's groundbreaking book, "Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal" at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22 in Penguin Union Building 161. This conversation precedes Dr. Love's keynote address by exploring the historical and systemic barriers to educational equity and how we can envision healing pathways. A limited number of the author's books are available for purchase in the Clark College Bookstore.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Bettina Love
January 23, 11 am, Gaiser Student Center
Bettina Love will present a keynote address titled "We Gon' Be Alright, But That Ain't Alright: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom" from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd in Gaiser Student Center.
Love will delve into the struggles and the possibilities of creating a future rooted in abolitionist teaching. Abolitionist teaching is built on creativity, imagination, boldness, ingenuity, and rebellious spirit and methods of abolitionists to demand and fight for an educational system where all students are thriving, not simply surviving.
Bettina L. Love holds the esteemed William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University. Recognized by the Kennedy Center as one of the Next 50 leaders shaping a more inclusive and compassionate future, Dr. Love is a transformative voice in education and social justice.
Her latest book, "Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal," is a New York Times Bestseller, a winner of the Stowe Prize for Literary Activism, and a finalist for the LA Times Book Award. Love actively contributes to its mission of nurturing and empowering educators and parents committed to combating injustice within their educational institutions and communities.
Her 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 almost 200,000 copies. Books will be available in the Clark College Bookstore.
About Clark College
Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor's and associate's degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.
For additional information: (media inquiries & photo requests):
Maureen Chan-Hefflin, Clark College Communications & Marketing
T: 360-992-2243 E: mhefflin@clark.edu