What is Critical Pedagogy

This chapter provides a glimpse into the experiences of two Black male educational leaders and children of the Civil Rights Movement. Their parents migrated from the Jim Crow South to Detroit, Michigan, and Inglewood, California respectively, teaching them to work fervently and inspiring them to become educators. During their journey, the authors noticed that they had to be twice as good as their white peers to practice in educational institutions. However, they were committed to empowering their students and acquired the credentials and skills to become educational practitioners. As leaders in K-12 and higher education, they realized the significance of their personal narratives—which are connected to a rich legacy of activism, resilience, and collective resolve—to improve the lives and conditions of the Black community. This chapter informs current and future leaders about Black people's experiences within the U.S. education system. Principally, the authors highlight how cultural assets improve instructional practices, learning conditions, and academic outcomes for Black students.