Speaker Series
OBJECTIVE: Open dialogue on racism with our community.
Goal #1: We embrace and continually learn from our discomfort.
Goal #2: We support each other to speak out when we see racism in action.
Goal #3: We continually educate one another, including our staff, students and community on how racism harms our communities society.
Conversations on Race is a speakers series presented by Brentwood School District that focuses on bringing important topics on race, equity, and justice to members of the Brentwood community.
To attend an event, please register using the form below so we can remind you or notify you of any event changes.
Next Speaker: Tabari Coleman
October 13, 2021 • 6:00 PM
Tabari A. Coleman, MPA is a training consultant and social justice advocate known for his thoughtful but direct approach in facilitating dialogue sessions that focus on building empathy. He was born in the Philippines and grew up on the island of Guam before coming to the U.S. for college. His experiences and socialization abroad had a huge influence over his personal and professional aspirations. With more than 19 years-experience in diversity and inclusion training and social justice work, he brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and expertise to his work. He worked as the Education Director in the St Louis regional office of the Anti Defamation League for 12 years before becoming the national Director of Professional Development where he oversaw the development of skills training for ADL’s national cadre of facilitators, led national Train-The-Trainer workshops and supported national and regional education staff with professional development learning opportunities for two years before leaving in 2021 to start his own Consulting Company, T.A.C. and Associates. Tabari is also a trainer for the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJSTL) where he has been facilitating anti oppression programs, youth leadership development and Building Inclusive Communities workshops since 2002.
Tabari works with COCAbiz, an arts-based training program as a facilitation consultant on their Acting With Awareness team which uses collaborative theatre exercises and reflective discussions.
He travels nationally and internationally delivering training programs, workshops and giving presentations. He engages with early childcare centers, K-12 schools, universities and colleges, community organizations, law enforcement agencies and corporations on a variety of topic areas including managing unconscious bias, microaggressions, creating inclusive spaces and communication strategies. He has written training programs on a variety of topic areas including addressing bias, exploring identities, communication strategies, unconscious bias and skill building, analyzing curriculum through a social justice lens and facilitation skills. He received his B.S. in Speech Communications and a Masters of Public Administration and Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri St Louis where he is applying his practical knowledge and experiences in their Social Justice in Education, Ed.D program. When he’s not trying to leave his mark on the world, Tabari enjoys cooking, antique stores and flea markets and spending time with his partner Amy and their daughter AmariLouise.
Speaker Series Registration
Required
