DMC Education Director Completes Workshop Series

DMC Education Director Zara Greene recently completed a three-part professional development series with The Morgan Project. This organization, whose mission is to teach civil rights through Birmingham’s history of conflict and courage, provides active and meaningful programs that work to teach and celebrate Black history. Their workshop series provides classroom and community educators with an increased understanding of Birmingham’s civil rights history and supplies the tools necessary for effective instruction and dissemination.

The first course in the series, Conflict and Courage, covered The Morgan Project’s curriculum and was led by its author, Dr. Martha V.J. Bouyer. The curriculum is based on Charles Morgan, Jr.’s A Time to Speak and includes lessons, readings, and activities for students of all grade levels. Lisa McNair, sister of 16th Street Baptist Church bombing victim Denise McNair, also discussed her work with The Morgan Project. Additionally, Ms. McNair shared her new book, Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister
I Never Knew.

The Social Justice Training course was led by Daphne Portis, Social Equity Coordinator for the YWCA. This training included honest conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Participants engaged in lessons, discussions, and activities covering identity, intersectionality, bias, microaggressions, and how to apply a social justice lens.

The last course, Mindfulness and Conflict Management, addressed creating safe spaces and reducing stress in order to effectively approach difficult conversations. Participants learned to use various techniques, exercises, and even apps to increase mindfulness.

The DMC is excited about using everything obtained through this workshop in our future work with classrooms and students. We look forward to working with The Morgan Project again in the future.