In July 2020, Kamilah Drummond-Forrester, M.A. CAGS of Open Circle joined a panel of experts to discuss the critical question, can emotional skills help counteract racism? Throughout the webinar, which was hosted by Six Seconds, panelists discussed whether education is inherently part of systemic racism or if it is a pathway to an equitable society. Panelists also discussed the difficulties schools face in responding to the pandemic, mental health concerns, and racial justice.

Panelists during this program included:

• Lorea Martinez, HEART in Mind Consulting and adjunct at Columbia Teachers College; SEL Consultant at Six Seconds; author of The EQ Educator.
• Amber Coleman-Mortley, Director of Social Engagement at iCivics.
• Kamilah Drummond-Forrester, M.A., CAGS, Director of Open Circle (equipping elementary schools with evidence-based curriculum and training to improve school climate and teach children essential social and emotional skills) and facilitator with the National SEED Project, both programs of the Wellesley Centers for Women.
• Cierra Kaler-Jones, Education Anew Fellow with Communities for Just Schools Fund and Teaching for Change; Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland – College Park in minority and urban education.
• Giovanni Hernandez, organizer with the National Children’s Campaign.

Moderator:

• Joshua Freedman, cofounder and CEO, The Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network.

July 21, 2020