Biography
Lasana D. Kazembe is an Assistant Professor in IUPUI's School of Education (Dept. of Urban Teacher Education) and in the Africana Studies Program. He is a scholar of Urban Education, Global Black Arts Movements, and the Black Intellectual Tradition. His research interests intersect Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, the Arts and Arts-based Learning, and Social & Racial Justice in education. He has published numerous scholarly articles on education, race, culture, and history.
A Poet and Spoken Word artist, Dr. Kazembe has performed at colleges and universities throughout the U.S., and venues in Canada, and Africa. As teaching artist, he has developed and facilitated creative writing programs within youth detention centers, prisons, community centers, K12 schools, and other learning spaces.
A committed Culture Worker, Dr. Kazembe develops and facilitates learning enrichment opportunities that intersect education, creative arts, and Africana history & culture. His aesthetic sensibilities are steeped in the deep, rich, and sentient genealogy of the African Diasporic experience. With and within this space, he inspects, reflects, and leverages history, memory, meanings, traditions, culture, art, and accumulated folk experiences. His work is interlaced with storied traditions found in jazz, blues, spirituals, Hip Hop and the deep well of Africana/Black American cultural traditions spoken and written.
Dr. Kazembe's latest (edited) book, entitled Keeping Peace: Reflections on Life, Legacy, Commitment, and Struggle (2018), was published by Third World Press Foundation.
Education:
Ph.D., 2013, University of Illinois at Chicago
M.A., 1994, Bowling Green State University
B.F.A., 1992, Bowling Green State University
Expert:
Urban Education
Global Black Arts Movements
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy
Arts and Arts Pedagogy
Social & Racial Justice in Education
The Black Intellectual Tradition
Africana
Liberatory Pedagogical Practices
Black Education History
Interests:
Urban Education
Global Black Arts Movements
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy
Arts and Arts Pedagogy
Social & Racial Justice in Education
The Black Intellectual Tradition
Africana
Liberatory Pedagogical Practices
Black Education History
Projects:
Teaching Black Arts Traditions: Exploring Social Justice Through Literary Nationalism – Digital (web-based) curriculum and history guide for teaching Global Black Arts Movements. Grant-funded research and writing project (2019-21).
elev8te: Exploring Global Black Arts Movements. Participatory Action Research Project (2018- ).
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education special theme issue (two vols.) "Concepts and Categories in the Praxis of the Black Intellectual Tradition"
The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre”: The Travelin’ Genius of Richard Wright from Natchez to Chicago: A Blues Poetry Opera (2020-21).
Arts Midwest: Poetry, People, Place - Exploring the art, lives, legacies of Mari Evans, Etheridge Knight, Freddie Hubbard, and Wes Montgomery (sponsored by Indiana Humanities' INseperable Speakers Bureau)