Join the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable for the 12th annual Day of Learning on Equity & Inclusion at Harlem School of the Arts!
The 2026 Day of Learning will continue exploring how we can transition from learning to arts-driven action towards dismantling systems of oppression in our schools, communities, and city while seeking to build a more inclusive, sustainable arts workforce.
The day will feature four topic “tracks,” each with two-part breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon to provide a deeper learning and activation experience. Attendees are asked to commit to and stay within one topic track throughout the day. Topic tracks include:
- Building pathways and cultivating courageous spaces for dialogue on social justice and political topics in arts education learning environments with the Brotherhood Sister Sol
- Designing inclusive, language-rich dance and arts experiences for multilingual learners with educators from The Brooklyn International High School
- Tools and strategies for staff-led, collaborative, and equity-driven policy and practice development for organizations with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute
- Exploring and learning hard history through family stories, objects, and dialogue with the Tenement Museum
These mini-cohort experiences will be bookended with plenary sessions at the start and end of the day facilitated by members of the Day of Learning planning subcommittee. These plenary moments will seek to connect the dots between the sessions and the larger lens of equity and inclusion work in the arts and education landscapes. The event will also include a youth performance from Harlem School of the Arts and catered lunch and refreshments. View a schedule of the day’s programming below.
Stick around after the day’s programming and keep the conversation going during a social hour fostering community connections and networking!
Eight hours of New York State CTLE credit will be available for attendance. Subsidized tickets available, scroll down for more information.
The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is grateful for the support of Day of Learning sponsors Jazz Power Initiative, The People’s Theatre, and Winnie Said.
Schedule
Subject to change.
| TIME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Doors Open & Breakfast |
| 9:30 – 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks |
| 9:45 – 10:05 AM | Welcome & Grounding |
| 10:05 – 10:25 AM | Artistic Activation |
| 10:25 – 10:45 AM | Community Agreements & Framing |
| 10:45 – 11:00 AM | Transition Time |
| 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Block #1 |
| 12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch |
| 1:15 – 1:30 PM | Transition Time |
| 1:30 – 3:00 PM | Breakout Block #2 |
| 3:00 – 3:15 PM | Transition Time |
| 3:15 – 4:00 PM | Closing Plenary Activation & Youth Performance |
| 4:00 – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks |
| 4:15 – 5:00 PM | Networking & Socializing |
Session Information
Breakout tracks are designed as two-part consecutive sessions focused on the same topic. Participants are encouraged to stay in one track throughout the day.
Ordinary Stories, Difficult Histories: Using Family Narratives and Primary Sources to Foster Meaningful Dialogue
At the Tenement Museum, the stories of ordinary people provide meaningful entry points into some of the most difficult chapters of history. Through family narratives, objects, photographs, songs, illustrations, and other primary sources, visitors encounter topics such as slavery, anti-immigrant laws and discrimination, the Holocaust, labor exploitation, and the Draft Riots through the lived experiences of individuals and families.
This two-part workshop explores how educators can use family histories and primary sources to engage learners in challenging historical content while creating space for inquiry, empathy, critical thinking, and dialogue. Participants will first experience and analyze the Tenement Museum’s approach to introducing and facilitating conversations about hard history with audiences of diverse ages, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. They will then apply these strategies to their own teaching contexts and develop plans for implementation. Participants will leave with practical approaches for facilitating meaningful and historically grounded conversations inclusive of difficult histories.
Presented by:
- Laura Lee, Director of Training and Resources, The Tenement Museum
- Victoria Teague, Education Manager, The Tenement Museum
Neighborhood Love Letters & NY Dreams: Creating Engaging Dance Projects for/with Multilingual Learners
Poetry – Shadow Props – Film – Dance! In this two part dance for/with multilingual learners (MLL) workshop, participants explore two unique dance projects. “Neighborhood Love Letter” is a dance film project. Current high school students and recent alumni will use their own dance films to guide participants in creating original poetry, choreography, and film. The afternoon session uses Pilobolus’ “NY State of Mind” Shadowlands piece as inspiration to prompt MLL students in creating their own choreography, shadow props, and dreams. Together, the workshops consider how to create a welcoming and language rich environment for MLL students through dance education.
Presented by:
- Megan Minturn, Dance Educator & Arts Office Lead, The Brooklyn International High School & NYC Public Schools
- Anunna Meem, Government & Economics Teacher, TESOL Certified, The Brooklyn International High School
Building Staff Capacity Through Reflective Practice, Dialogue & Policy Development
Workshops will include hands-on strategies for reflective practices, shared dialogue, and collaborative policy development that empower staff to confidently name anti-Blackness and lead culturally sustaining responses. This approach mirrors CCCADI’s programmatic emphasis on learning, exchange, and advocacy — ensuring that staff engagement in anti-racism strengthens the organization’s role as an inclusive cultural hub and supports its broader community of artists and cultural workers.
Presented by:
- Sabine Blaizin, Deputy Director & Head of Programs, Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
Social Justice in the Classroom: Cultivating Courageous Spaces
This multidisciplinary two-part session will focus on the intersection of social justice and the arts in education settings. During the first session, attendees will engage with these questions: “How do we explore political issues in arts education spaces? How do we build bridges?” Presenters will share tools and strategies for preparing ourselves as educators for these spaces and dialogue, uplifting critical conversations, reflecting diverse opinions in classrooms, and cultivating courageous spaces. The second session will give participants the opportunity to apply and practice learnings and strategies from session one in a variety of frameworks.
Presented by:
- The Brotherhood Sister Sol, additional facilitator details coming soon!
Registration Rates
PLEASE NOTE: Registration will close at 7:00pm ET on Monday, November 9, 2026.
There are three tiers of registration rates available for the 2026 Day of Learning. All registrations include light breakfast refreshments and a catered lunch.
- Member: $45
- Non-Member: $90
- Student: $30 (must present valid student ID at check-in)
If ticket prices present a barrier to your participation at the 2026 Day of Learning on Equity and Inclusion, you may use this form to request a subsidized ticket.
Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of a Roundtable Membership and join today!
Accessibility
The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is committed to making our programming accessible and inclusive for all community members. Harlem School of the Arts is an ADA-compliant and wheelchair-accessible venue.
Real-time (CART) captioning and/or ASL interpretation may be available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance of the event date (by October 28, 2026). If you have any other access requests for this event or would like to let us know of other ways we can provide you with a more welcoming experience, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for directing all communication to our Programs Director, Kinsey Keck, at kkeck@nycaieroundtable.org.
Meet the Presenters
Sabine Balizin
As Deputy Director and Head of Programs, Sabine oversees the strategic direction of CCCADI’s public, education and fellowship programs. A New Yorker of Haitian descent and self-coined Artivist, Afrofuturist, and Pan-Africanist, Sabine ultimately seeks to create new scholarship through the African and Haitian diasporic lens of music, culture and spirituality. She has over 15 years experience in non-profit organizations, and has been instrumental in developing innovative and high-impact marketing and branding, event planning, and programming strategies. Prior to joining CCCADI, she served as the Director of Programs at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. and, an alumnus herself, she served AmeriCorps Public Allies New York (PANY) as the Director of Alumni Relations and Community Engagement. Sabine completed a fellowship with the Haiti Cultural Exchange and is the NYC Chapter Ambassador for She Builds Initiative, a social network of like-minded individuals who are creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs building platforms that can positively impact Haiti and the world. Currently she is also a Holistic Health Practitioner/Coach and DJ/Producer/Event Curator (Oyasound). Sabine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Sociology from Eugene Lang College at The New School, a Master of Arts degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Tri-State College of Acupuncture, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Performance Interactive & Media Arts from Brooklyn College.
Laura Lee
Laura Lee is the Director of Training and Resources at the Tenement Museum and oversees the design and implementation of staff training. Her work supports individuals in their development of skills and techniques to enhance programs. She studied journalism at Florida A&M University and has an MS in American Studies from the University of Maryland at College Park. Laura has been with Tenement Museum for more than 10 years.
Anunna Meem
Anunna Meem is an English Language Learner (ELL) Government & Economics teacher at the Brooklyn International High School, former ELL, and immigrant who is passionate about supporting multilingual students and newcomer families. Drawing from her own journey of learning English & adapting to a new country, she strives to create engaging, including classrooms where students build confidence, develop strong language skills, and thrive academically.
Megan Minturn
Megan J. Minturn is a dancer, choreographer, and educator. She studied dance in New York, Senegal, Brazil, Cuba, and her hometown, Omaha, NE. Her company MJM Dance performed at the 92nd St Y, Dixon Place, the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Miami University of Ohio, Grounds for Sculpture and produced its evening length concert, “Monopoly: The Landlord’s Game.” Megan dances with Bessie Award winner Joya Powell’s Movement of the People Dance Company and Catherine Gallant/DANCE. Dancing with these companies for over a decade, she performed at BAM, Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, among others. Awards include: The FLAG Award Semi-Finalist (2021); Fund for Teachers Fellow (2019); Academy for Teacher’s Don Quixote Fellowship (2019); New York State Dance Education Association’s Outstanding K-12 Educator of the Year (2016), Education Update’s Outstanding Educator of the Year at NY’s Harvard Club (2015), Brooklyn Arts Council’s Local Arts Fund (2013). Megan teaches at the Brooklyn International High School. She holds an MSEd in Educational Leadership (Hunter College), an MA in Dance Education (NYU), a BA in Philosophy (Fordham University), and is a Registered Yoga Teacher.
Victoria Teague
Victoria Teague is an Education Manager in the Training and Resources Department at the Tenement Museum. She trains educators to lead tours and helps them develop other relevant skills such as facilitation and group management. Victoria has a theatre background and after years of work as a director and dramaturg she received an MA in Museum Studies at CUNY SPS. She continues to include theatre in her professional life as part owner of the venue The RAT NYC in DUMBO.
Meet Our Sponsors
Jazz Power Initiative (JPI) transforms lives through jazz performance and education. Founded in 2003 by jazz musician Eli Yamin and educator Clifford Carlson as a not for profit 501(c)(3), JPI centers jazz—rooted in African American culture—within American history and identity.
Through free and low-cost programs for youth (ages 6–18), training for educators and artists, and intergenerational community concerts, JPI empowers participants to build skills, confidence, and connection through jazz music, dance, and theatre.
Serving thousands annually in Upper Manhattan and beyond, Jazz Power Initiative elevates historically marginalized voices and strengthens inclusive, creative communities through the power of jazz. For more information, please visit www.jazzpower.org
Rooted in Washington Heights and Inwood, The People’s Theatre is the place where theatre, education and advocacy come to life with and for immigrant communities to build a more just and equitable world.
Winnie Said is a cozy cabin-themed bar & restaurant full of outdoorsy charm, located at 1624 Amsterdam Avenue, right on the corner at 140th st. Winnie Said offers 16 draft beers, craft cocktails, elevated comfort food, and all around amazing vibes. Known for having the best smashburger uptown, check us out for lunch, happy hour, dinner or just a casual hang. The kitchen is open until midnight every night, so join us for late night bites & late night happy hour! The backroom is available to rent for private parties! Our goal is to give you a little break from the city & transport you to our hillside cabin in Harlem. Full of friendly and familiar faces, Winnie Said, let us be your favorite corner of the neighborhood. Remember: If Winnie says it’s time for one more round, it probably is. See you soon!
Acknowledgements
The Roundtable would like to acknowledge the work of the Taskforce on Equity & Inclusion and Day of Learning Sub-Committee, including sub-committee co-chairs Jyoti Guota and Steven McIntosh and sub-committee members Chesray Dolpha, Lulu Fogarty, Mikal Lee, Marissa Lewis, Tiffany Lin, Calia Marshall, and Barbara Stratyner.
