Leading Courageously for Racial Equity Conference
The Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is committed to positively impacting students of color. Our annual conference, “Leading Courageously for Racial Equity,” (LCRE) is designed to advance educational equity with sessions that inspire and empower by sharing evidence-based practices and engaging in courageous conversations about race and equity.
Each year, nationally recognized leaders share their insights, experiences, and strategies to elevate education for all students. The LCRE conference brings together educational leaders, teachers, and graduate students from several districts across the state and beyond representing urban, suburban, and rural communities.
February 27, 2025--11th Annual Conference
Building a Wider Road Toward Racial Equity in Education
Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Time: 7:45 AM - 4:00 PM CST
Location:7700 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 55435
Registration fee: $250/per person (includes continental breakfast & lunch)
Schedule:
- 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration
- 8:30 AM Keynote Presentation
2025 Keynote Speaker
Dr. Decoteau J. Irby
Keynote Title: Getting Past Stuck: Organizing Schools to Eliminate Racism.
Author and educator Dr. Decoteau J. Irby’s keynote will provide an overview into the dynamic process of working to achieve racial equity in schools. The keynote draws insights from his book Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership (Harvard Education Press), which offers an in-depth accounting of school-improvement practices and inquiry-based leadership strategies that create the conditions for educators to deliver Black and Brown school-aged students affirming school experiences and improved learning outcomes. At the end of the presentation, participants will understand: What it means to have the capacity for racial equity improvement, the role leadership and professional learning plays in strengthening a school’s capacity for racial equity improvement, and how to evaluate if and to what extent racial equity progress is happening in a school.
View Dr. Decoteau J. Irby's Full Bio Here
About the Department of Educational Leadership
Led by our department chair, Dr. Natalie Rasmussen, the Department of Educational Leadership is dedicated to developing and enhancing the capacity of leaders who will eliminate predictable racial disparities through project-based learning and learner-centered programming in our Master of Science, Specialist, and Doctorate graduate degrees.
Our College of Education is a community engaged in anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices striving to advance social justice and equitable outcomes leading to measurable growth. Our values aim to:
- Empower Learners: We establish environments that stimulate intellectual curiosity, promote advocacy for changing unjust power structures, and advance equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Foster Collaboration: We work collectively with internal and external partners to achieve mutually shared outcomes.
- Promote Reflective Practice: We advocate for personal and programmatic development through the process of reflection, revision, and/or refinement.
- Respect Diversity: We form a community that values varied perspectives that contribute to anti-oppressive change.
