Black English and Literacy: Teaching Reading Without Erasing Language

Dr. Jasmine Rogers is a leading national voice in literacy instruction, specializing in culturally competent approaches to teaching. With nine years of classroom experience in charter and DC Public Schools, she saw firsthand how traditional reading instruction often left Black English-speaking students behind. Her research at American University’s School of Education challenges long-held misconceptions, showing that when teachers receive even minimal training on Black English, their instruction becomes significantly more effective.

A sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Rogers blends data-driven research with practical classroom insights. She has been featured as a guest on podcasts, led workshops at teacher conferences, and moderated academic panels. Her work not only helps educators recognize unconscious biases but also equips them to better serve linguistically diverse students. Dr. Rogers’ mission is clear: to revolutionize literacy instruction by affirming every student’s linguistic heritage.

Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn is an educational consultant, multilingual speech-language pathologist, and researcher with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Middletown, OH, she earned her B.S. in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in French studies from Northwestern University, where she played on the women’s soccer team. She later completed her M.A. in speech-language pathology at The George Washington University and a Ph.D. in instructional leadership at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

She has held positions in Illinois, Japan, Maryland, and Texas, supporting organizations in the U.S. and abroad. She is the inaugural recipient of NBASLH’s Clinician of the Year Award and has presented research on African American English globally. Dr. Latimer-Hearn is the author of Unexpected Places and founder of the REACT Initiative, RespectTheDialect Facebook group, and The Culture We Speak podcast. A dedicated wife, mother, and traveler, she has visited over 25 countries.

Dr. Altheria Caldera is a racial equity leader, educator, and researcher with expertise in culturally relevant pedagogies, antiracist education, education policy, and language and literacy. She is the CEO of Caldera and Associates Equity Consulting, LLC, and serves as a University Professor at American University and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

A proud first-generation and HBCU (Stillman College) graduate, Dr. Caldera’s work is deeply influenced by her experiences as a Black girl growing up in Alabama. She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum studies and a graduate certificate in women and gender studies from Texas Christian University. With nearly two dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, her research explores how educators can advance equity for students of color and economically disadvantaged students. Through her consulting work, she helps organizations develop intentional, mission-aligned strategies to ensure communities of color see themselves in educational movements and initiatives.