On April 17th, I had the privilege of attending the OISE Jackson Lecture featuring Professor Jarvis R. Givens, a distinguished educator and scholar at Harvard University. His presentation, titled “Black Reconstructions: Race, Educational History, and the Problem of the Archive,” was profoundly enlightening. Dr. Givens eloquently illuminated the enduring impact of persecution on black communities in both educational institutions and society at large. He also shed light on the resilience of communities like mine, who have strived to impart the true history of black experiences, despite historical suppression. Particularly captivating was Dr. Givens discussion of his remarkable journey in uncovering archival materials from former educators. I aspire to one day visit the library housing these invaluable archives and delve deeper into the rich collage of black history.
