Drs. Kimberly A. White-Smith and Sean Green—Transforming Communities through the Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI)
Our guests Drs. Kimberly A. White-Smith and Sean Green are Professor and Dean and Assistant Dean for Innovation and Community Engagement, respectively for the University of San Diego’s (USD) School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES).
This on-location episode takes place on campus where Dr. White-Smith shares a brief history of the university’s founding and recognizes its 75th Anniversary. Drs. White-Smith and Green share their personal equity experiences, those occurring at the USD and across Californian communities.
The Black InGenious Initiative (BiGI) is a signature program that supports Black children of San Diego County, their families and schools. A $1.5 million grant from the San Diego Foundation (SDF) Black Community Investment Fund helped to launch the Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI). Designed for students in grades 6-12, BiGI has broad institutional support promising to meet the financial needs of completers who continue their post-secondary study with the USD.
Your Host:
Resources:
Black InGenius Initiative (BiGi)
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
EDUP Xcelerated Excellence (podcast)
The EdUP Experience (podcast)
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Kimberly A. White-Smith, Ed.D.
Professor and Dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego
Kimberly A. White-Smith, Ed.D., serves as professor and dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego. She stands as a beacon of transformative educational leadership. With over two decades dedicated to enhancing urban schooling, nonprofit management, and community partnerships, her commitment to academic and community justice for marginalized people shines through innovative learning environments and practices. A prolific author, her works delve deeply into teacher and student learning, equity, and the nuanced experiences of Black women higher education leaders.
At the helm of SOLES, Dr. White-Smith's strategic insight has catalyzed the procurement of substantial grants, nurturing projects like the Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI) and early childhood program development. Her stewardship in the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) 2.0 exemplifies her dedication to fostering partnerships that uplift vulnerable student populations. This dedication extends beyond academia, manifesting in her 2023 honor as one of the top 50 Black Leaders of Influence by the San Diego Business Journal and the Black Chamber of Commerce.
A vanguard in the field, Dr. White-Smith's influence pervades national educational discourse. Her roles with the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the California Council on Teacher Education, coupled with her directorship at WestEd, underscore her profound impact on educational policy and prac… Read More
Sean Green
Assistant Dean for Innovation and Community Engagement
Dr. Sean Green has dedicated his life’s work to uplifting communities in broad and innovative ways. From developing and managing programs like the Black InGenius Initiative from the ground up, Dr. Green has focused on the impact and support he can provide to students, families, teachers, counselors, administrators, and communities. In addition to his community efforts, Sean has continued to make time to teach and give back to future counselors and leaders as an adjunct faculty for the University of San Diego’s counseling and leadership studies programs. Outside of the institutions and classrooms he works with, Sean has made it a point to also be involved in the community through charitable contributions and board memberships
