5:30 - 7 p.m. PST
Celebrate Black History Month
Part of the Presidential Celebration Series presented by Mocse Credit Union
Join us for an enlightening presentation by Kenjus Watson, Ph.D., assistant professor at American University's School of Education, as he discusses idea of Apocalyptic Education.
In this thought-provoking talk, Watson will examine how systemic antiblackness, including everyday racial microaggressions faced by Black people, affects education and health. He’ll discuss its biological impacts, like telomere shortening, which is a sign of cellular stress and aging. Using his extensive research, Watson critiques conventional schooling systems and presents a new framework of education grounded in African ancestral knowledge, holistic well-being, and community regeneration.
Learn how Apocalyptic Education re-members learning environments to promote autonomy, resilience, and liberation for everyone. Don't miss this chance to engage with an important space to share a different vision for the future of education.
About Kenjus Watson, Ph.D.
Kenjus Watson is a father, partner, brother, uncle and son who strives to honor ancestral ways of knowing, practice presence, and bridge more sustainable and loving relationships, projects, and educational futures. Kenjus partly works towards this calling through his role as an Assistant Professor of Urban Education in the School of Education at American University. Kenjus also contributes time as an Earthen-based builder specializing in Super Adobe home construction as an instructor with the Cal-Earth Institute. Additionally, Watson collaborates alongside mutual and community responsive projects as research lead, educator, and co-founder of the Institute for Regenerative Futures in the College of Education at San Jose State University. Some of his remembering (i.e., research) has focused on the biopsychosocial impact of everyday anti-blackness and colonization (i.e., racial microaggressions) on Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, as well as the promise of school abolition, re-Indigenization, and Apocalyptic Education to bring about healing and wellness for people and the planet. Kenjus earned his PhD in Education with an emphasis in Race and Ethnic Studies at UCLA.