The Black Canon is honored to propose "Art of the Ages" as a featured discussion and mini-exhibit at the Wayne County Diverse Histories Summit, hosted by Wayne RESA. This presentation will provide educators with a compelling, visual exploration of Black representation in media from 1910 to 1990, aligning with the Disciplinary Literacy Essentials, Secondary School-wide Practices, and the C3 Framework. Through inquiry-based learning, participants will engage with rare archival materials, tracing the evolution of Black storytelling—from early harmful stereotypes to self-authored narratives of empowerment. By immersing educators in this historical journey, we will equip them with strategies to integrate culturally responsive, place-based learning into their classrooms, deepening their ability to support diverse narratives within their curriculum.
A central pillar of this session is the untold story of Detroit native and trailblazer James E. Wheeler, whose life's work in preserving Black film, theater, and media serves as a testament to the power of cultural preservation. Wheeler’s deep ties to the Detroit arts scene, from his work with Concept East Theater in the 1960s to his historic collaborations with institutions such as MoMA, Harvard University, and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, highlight the significance of Detroit as a hub for Black artistic excellence. Despite his invaluable contributions, his legacy remains largely unrecognized. By sharing his journey, we aim to illuminate underreported local histories and inspire educators to uncover and integrate similar narratives from their own communities.
As a brother-and-sister team dedicated to preserving our father’s legacy, we founded The Black Canon to ensure that these cultural artifacts remain accessible and impactful for future generations. Our nonprofit arm, The Black Canon Collection, is committed to housing, curating, and archiving over 40,000 historical collectibles spanning film, literature, music, and visual art. Through "Art of the Ages," we invite educators to not only expand their knowledge of Black media history but also build networks of allies who are committed to teaching a comprehensive and inclusive history. By connecting with Wayne RESA’s events and resources, participants will gain tangible strategies to sustain brave, informed, and culturally enriching discussions in their schools and districts.
Alima Trapp specializes in driving instinctive solutions that forge smarter thinking. She has a unique blend of expertise including research, brand and cultural strategy, growth and development as well as consumer context planning in the media space. Being recognized by the industry... Read More →
Ali Wheeler comprises half of the brother and sister duo (The Black Canon) dedicated to preserving not only Black Art in the form of their vast multi-media collection, but also their father's legacy. Upon his passing, they were blessed to inherit his groundbreaking life's work, amassing... Read More →
Thursday August 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT Room 5
How can educators move beyond traditional textbooks and lectures to create dynamic, student-centered learning experiences that deeply engage students in uncovering and amplifying historically marginalized voices? This session will explore Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a powerful, culturally relevant tool for teaching the rich and often untold histories of Wayne County. Participants will discover how PBL can be an effective means of not only educating students about the diverse cultural fabric of their community, but also empowering them to engage with local histories in meaningful ways.
Participants will:
*Explore how PBL can highlight diverse histories—including Indigenous, Asian American, African American, Arab American, Hispanic American and labor movements—while connecting students to their own cultural roots and Wayne County’s complex legacies, such as Black histories, Arab American communities, and environmental justice movements. *Collaborate with instructional coaches to actively plan and brainstorm PBL units that incorporate culturally responsive teaching, place-based learning, and student-driven inquiry. *Leave with actionable strategies to design PBL experiences that empower students to investigate, preserve, and share the stories of their own communities, ensuring that untold histories are acknowledged and respected.
Drawing inspiration from successful PBL experiences such as the Iconic Michigan PBL at Horizon High School, the Healthy Detroit Communities PBL, and The Change Through Street Art PBL at University Prep Art and Design, this session will showcase powerful student-driven projects. Through storytelling, video production, visual arts, and community engagement, these projects empowered students to reclaim, preserve, and share culturally significant narratives. Participants will gain insights into how PBL can be used to amplify student voices, connect with local history, and create meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.Whether you are new to PBL or looking to deepen your approach, this session will provide practical tools, inspiration, and collaborative planning time to help you design culturally relevant, justice-centered learning experiences for your classroom.
Jill Jenkins is an experienced educator with over 21 years in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Madonna University, an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Phoenix, and an Administrative Certification from Davenport University... Read More →
Jeremy Hein is in his 12th year of education, with 11 years of experience teaching middle school social studies before transitioning into his current role as an instructional coach. He holds a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Grand Valley State University and a Secondary... Read More →
Thursday August 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT Room 1
Fluctuations in power and the migration of people have influenced our diets in profound ways. This workshop will equip teachers with several lesson ideas, interactive tools, and primary and secondary sources that highlight how food consumed in various regions of the world is the byproduct of globalization, nationalism, cultural hegemony, cultural fusion, identity and agency among marginalized groups. The session will spotlight ways in which this phenomenon is evident in the greater Detroit area and beyond. Food anthropology offers us a creative way to engage students in historical analyses and thoughtful conversations about identity and geography.
This workshop spotlights how food is an artifact of power, identity, and geography. Our ever-evolving diets reflect the resiliency of marginalized groups, the dominance of colonial powers, and the fusion of ideas inspired by cultural collision.Fluctuations in power and the migration of people have influenced our diets in profound ways. This workshop will equip teachers with several lesson ideas, interactive tools, and primary and secondary sources that highlight how food consumed in various regions of the world is the byproduct of globalization, nationalism, cultural hegemony, cultural fusion, identity and agency among marginalized groups. The session will spotlight ways in which this phenomenon is evident in the greater Detroit area and beyond. Food anthropology offers us a creative way to engage students in historical analyses and thoughtful conversations about identity and geography.
This workshop spotlights how food is an artifact of power, identity, and geography. Our ever-evolving diets reflect the resiliency of marginalized groups, the dominance of colonial powers, and the fusion of ideas inspired by cultural collision.
National History Day ® is a program in which students in grades 3 –12 choose a historical topic and dive deeply into the past by conducting extensive research in libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies. They then present their conclusions and evidence through papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites. Through this process, students develop skills in historical thinking, communication, and a deeper awareness of local/regional history and the many untold or neglected histories. The Hamtramck Historical Museum and David Hales will share their History Day collabration and how it has benefited the community
David Hales is a Senior Manager with the Historical Society of Michigan focusing on the implementation of History Day in Southeast Michigan. His role is to support schools, teachers, and students across SE Michigan. Previous to this, Mr. Hales was the K-12 Social Studies Consultant... Read More →
Joe Kochut is a lifelong Hamtramckan and lover of history. Joe has been with the Hamtramck Historical Museum for 10 years, and has been the board president for the last 5 years. Joe has curated major exhibits for the museum,He works to strengthen partnerships with other museums and... Read More →
Thursday August 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT Room 2
The struggle for equal voting rights in the United States is as old as the country itself, as different attempts throughout American history to narrow and expand the electorate, both through legal and extra-legal means, have had profound impacts on electoral outcomes and social, political, and economic life in the United States.
In this session, we will use various forms of data– including electoral maps and timelines describing the ongoing struggle for suffrage–to answer these essential questions: *Who can vote and does vote in US elections?, *How has who can vote and does vote shaped American social, economic and political life over time? *What predictions might we make about the electorate moving forward and how it will shape and reshape our country?
By digging into historical timelines and considering data on who votes in elections, we will explore the nature of the fight for suffrage, voting participation, and participants’ lived experiences that inform how voting might shift or re-align during moments in history. The stories of how the American electorate has been shaped and reshaped throughout history are vital to unpacking so much about the overarching American story, including the current chapter.
This session will model practical ways to expand the use of data-based inquiry in the Social Studies classroom and across disciplines. Participants will receive the materials to teach the model lesson in their own classrooms.
Kristi Hanby has been a Mathematics Consultant at Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA) since 2015. In her role, she advocates for students to have greater access to mathematics learning and for educators to critically consider the meaning students can make... Read More →
Thursday August 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT Room 4
In this session, participants will explore effective approaches to teaching the history and contemporary experiences of the largest and most diverse minoritized group in the country—the disability community. The discussion will provide a high-level overview of the evolution of the disability rights movement, its intersections with other civil rights movements, and the emergence of the contemporary disability justice movement. Additionally, participants will examine instructional strategies that empower students to draw connections between the fight for disability rights and broader struggles for equality across marginalized communities. The session will also highlight the implications of this history for present-day advocacy.
By participating in this session, attendees will: *Examine the significance of teaching about the evolution of the disability rights and disability justice movements. *Explore the history of the disability rights movement and its intersections with other civil rights movements. *Identify effective instructional strategies to help students understand the historical experiences of people with disabilities and the ongoing impact of the contemporary disability justice movement.
