Teaching Diverse Histories Summit
Image licensed from Waleed Johnson.
August 13 - 14
The Icon
200 Walker St,
Detroit, MI 48207
About the Summit
Teaching Diverse Histories Summit was developed in alignment with MDE’s Top Ten Strategic Plan and SBOE's Resolution on Teaching Comprehensive History, the Wayne County Teaching Diverse Histories Summit is funded by MDE’s 99d Teaching Diverse Histories Grant, awarded to Westwood Community School District, in partnership with Wayne RESA. This conference will provide teachers the pedagogy and practice necessary to teach the fullness of American history, including, but not limited to, the teaching of the history of communities of color and other marginalized communities, the teaching of local history, and the teaching of cultural competency.
Lifting Untold Stories: Pedagogies and Practices for Teaching a People’s History of Wayne County
The Wayne County Teaching Diverse Histories Summit will focus on the pedagogy and practice of teaching comprehensive history. It will bring together participants from across the state and presenters from Michigan and beyond for two days of high-quality, professional learning based on principles from culturally responsive, inquiry-based, and place-based pedagogy.
Session Information
- Day 1 of the summit will consist of a keynote speaker followed by breakout sessions. We are very excited that Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, professor of history and host of the Teaching Hard History podcast, has agreed to be our keynote. Day 1 will be held at The Icon, located on the historic Detroit River.
- Day 2 will begin with an opening session at The Icon, followed by place-based professional learning experiences at sites around Wayne County. Transportation to these sites from The Icon will be provided.
Wednesday, August 13th
| 7:30 - 8:30 | Check-in |
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Opening Remarks |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | Keynote speaker: Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries |
| 10:00 - 10:15 | Break |
| 10:15 - 11:00 | Youth Panel |
| 11:15 - 12:15 | Concurrent Sessions |
| 12:15 - 1:15 | Lunch |
| 1:30 - 2:30 | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:45 - 4:00 | Concurrent Sessions |
Thursday, August 14th
| 7:30 - 8:30 | Check-in |
| 8:30 - 9:30 | Community Gathering |
| 9:30 - 11:00 | Concurrent Sessions |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:30 - 3:30 | Placed-based workshops and tours |
Keynote
Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of History at The Ohio State University.
A Brooklyn, New York native, Dr. Jeffries earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he was initiated into the Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in American history, specializing in African American history, from Duke University.
Dr. Jeffries is the author of Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama’s Black Belt, which chronicles the extraordinary struggle for freedom in Lowndes County, Alabama. His forthcoming book, In the Shadow of Civil Rights, explores the Black experience in New York City from 1977 to 1993. He also serves as editor of Understanding the Civil Rights Movement, a resource designed to help educators teach this pivotal era accurately and effectively.
Beyond academia, Dr. Jeffries has led multiple public history initiatives. From 2010 to 2014, he was the lead historian and primary scriptwriter for the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee—the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. He also hosts the widely acclaimed "Teaching Hard History: American Slavery" podcast.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Jeffries takes pride in challenging students to see history through new lenses. His commitment to project and place-based learning pushes the boundaries of traditional education, fostering deeper connections between the past and the present.
Artist
Waleed Johnson is a figurative muralist and oil painter from Detroit, MI based in Chicago. People, in particular people of color, and their stories are what inspire him. Waleed's work has been published in the International Review of African American Art, and has been shown at various places including The Saginaw Art Museum, Gallery Guichard in Chicago, and Galerie Camille in Detroit. His murals can be found in various cities throughout the Midwest including Detroit, Chicago, Jackson, MI, and South Bend, IN.
Venue Info
About the ICON
Situated on more than 18 acres along the Detroit River, The Icon is the perfect location for single or multi-day meetings and conferences, fundraising events, social gatherings, and film and photo shoots. The building’s spacious and airy three-story atrium offers unparalleled views of the Detroit River.
This atrium is one of Detroit’s largest and can accommodate more than 1000 people strolling and up to 650 people for a seated event. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow for an abundance of natural light in the space, while the motorized window shades provide flexibility and control. Just outside of the atrium is 800 feet of riverside frontage to host outdoor receptions, ceremonies, and other gatherings with the option to end the evening with a spectacular fireworks show.
Located off the atrium is a 375-seat world-class auditorium equipped with an automotive-accessible stage ideal for presentations, trainings, TED-style talks, fireside chats, and film screenings. The 360˚ outdoor terrace wraps around the length of the building and offers breathtaking views of the Detroit River, Detroit Riverwalk, and Downtown Detroit. An indoor lounge space adjacent to the terrace allows for gatherings to take place rain or shine. Other venue features include a serene outdoor courtyard, multiple conference rooms, a large prep kitchen/dining area, and 800+ covered parking spaces.
Parking Information
Parking is available at the venue for no cost.
Visit The Icon's website for more information
200 WALKER ST.
DETROIT, MI 48226
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
(313) 373-8720
Venues@RockEvents.com
Hotel Accommodations
If you’re planning to stay overnight, here’s a list of hotels near The ICON for your convenience. While we’re not endorsing any specific hotel, we wanted to provide options so you can choose the best accommodation based on your needs.
Conference Location: 200 Walker Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Available Hotel Locations
Courtyard Marriott Downtown Detroit
333 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit, MI 48226
1.7 miles from the conference location
Quality Inn Downtown Detroit
1316 Jefferson Ave. Detroit, MI 48207
1.2 miles from the conference location
Kasa Cadillac Square Detroit
139 Cadillac Sq. Detroit, MI 48226
2 miles from the conference location
SCECH Info
LINK to SCECH Form
Please note: This form will not open until the Summit begins.
Do you need to find your PIC number?
The Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) is a secure web-based system that allows educators to register and create private accounts and access all of their certification data, apply for certificates and endorsements, and renew their certificates.
Certification Help:
- Certification Guidance Documents
- SCECH questions? Email SCECH@michigan.gov, be sure to include your name and PIC.
- For answers to more in-depth questions and concerns,
contact MDE-EducatorHelp@michigan.gov.
August 13 - 14
The Icon
200 Walker St,
Detroit, MI 48207
