Dr. Bettina Love—award-winning author, scholar, and co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network—will draw from her acclaimed New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming to examine four decades of failed educational reform and its lasting harm on Black students and communities. Dr. Love will underscore the far-reaching consequences of these reforms, from entrenched systemic inequalities to the diminished futures they impose on marginalized students. Dr. Love will lay out a reparative path forward, stressing that true transformation must center on the needs of all children, especially those most affected by historical injustices. Advocating for reparations, she presents a comprehensive roadmap for healing and systemic change, emphasizing that meaningful reform can only occur by addressing the root causes of inequity in education.

As we convene for the HBCU Summit, Dr. Love’s message will serve as both a wake-up call and a call to action—reminding us that centering equity, justice, and the lived experiences of Black learners is not optional, but essential for true educational transformation.

Special Guest: Dr. Bettina Love