Narrative Changer
Dr. Lathardus Goggins, II
Publisher
Saint Rest Publications
@DrGoggins2
Bio of a Narrative Changer: I have been an advocate for youth and education for more than twenty years, and the author of BRINGING THE LIGHT INTO A NEW DAY, 365 BLACK: NUGGETS OF WISDOM FOR EACH DAY OF THE YEAR, and AFRICAN CENTERED RITES OF PASSAGE AND EDUCATION. My formal studies include Geography, Higher Education Administration, Learning Theory, Philosophy and Foundations of Education, African-American Studies, African-Centered Rites of Passage, HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction, and Cultural Diversity. Professionally, I have worked with “at-risk” youth as a Prevention Specialist and has worked more than 20 years in Higher Education. I have been responsible for admissions, academic advising, community outreach, directing an Upward Bound program, student activities, programming, campus climate assessment, and setting campus policy on diversity and civility. As a professor, I have taught leadership, cultural diversity and multicultural competency, and African-American male development courses. Along with being the publisher at Saint Rest Publications, Also, I am the: Principle Consultant for Applied Academic Solutions A+ Academic Coach Middle School Math & Science Teacher at Emmanuel Christian Academy As a scholar, I am examining the relationships between socialization, learning theories and academic achievement. Particularly, using the rites of passage model as a framework for educators to better understand where students are in their development and what services and activities would be appropriate. Additionally, I am the primary investigator of the First Person Research Projects.
How is Your Work Changing The Narrative?: I advocate and work to promote for the “authentic self” through digital and social media, books, apparel and scholarly writings. I seek to produce and highlight a perspective that challenges and corrects the prevailing narrative of African/Black pathology and inferiority. The truth is “our” history and heritage is a rich source of knowledge and wisdom (social and cultural capital), not only for people of African descent, but all of humanity. We should do more to mine it, protect it, value it, and display it. For example, through the First Person Research Project, I capture, analyze, and publish/present the first person accounts from African-American males regarding community resources, social capital, transitions into manhood, masculinity, and guiding philosophies and values. The insights, ways of knowing and experiencing by African-American males, and the relationships between them that come to the fore will inform educators, policy makers, social workers, and community activists, who are concerned with the development and empowerment of African-American males .. to add to the scarcity of research seeking to identify the strengths and resiliency embedded in the “lived experiences” of African-American males.
How is Your Work Changing The Narrative?: I advocate and work to promote for the “authentic self” through digital and social media, books, apparel and scholarly writings. I seek to produce and highlight a perspective that challenges and corrects the prevailing narrative of African/Black pathology and inferiority. The truth is “our” history and heritage is a rich source of knowledge and wisdom (social and cultural capital), not only for people of African descent, but all of humanity. We should do more to mine it, protect it, value it, and display it. For example, through the First Person Research Project, I capture, analyze, and publish/present the first person accounts from African-American males regarding community resources, social capital, transitions into manhood, masculinity, and guiding philosophies and values. The insights, ways of knowing and experiencing by African-American males, and the relationships between them that come to the fore will inform educators, policy makers, social workers, and community activists, who are concerned with the development and empowerment of African-American males .. to add to the scarcity of research seeking to identify the strengths and resiliency embedded in the “lived experiences” of African-American males.