Keynote Speaker: Dr. Derron Wallace
The Babson community remembers, reflects upon, and celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. This annual event continues conversations around Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and peace in our own community and in the world at large. This year’s theme is Power, Purpose, and Promise of Education.
This year’s speaker is Dr. Derron Wallace, an award-winning sociologist, educational policy analyst and writer. He is an Associate Professor of Education Policy and Africana Studies at Brown University. Prior to joining Brown, he served as the Jacob S. Potofsky Chair in Sociology and associate professor of sociology and education at Brandeis University. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Education Association Foundation. Dr. Wallace’s research, teaching, and public advocacy focus on the dynamics of, and the solutions to, racial, ethnic and educational inequality, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Wallace is the author of the widely celebrated book, The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth (Oxford University Press).
Wallace has also received seven distinguished early career awards from various sections of the American Sociological Association, the American Educational Research Association and the Comparative and International Education Society.
A former community organizer, Wallace's work on youth safety, immigrant rights, fair housing, and public education has been featured by BBC News, BBC Radio, the Guardian, ITV, and NBC News.
