Dr. Lakeya Afolalu talks to us about freedom, identity as an outcome of language and literacy, and arts as a key to communicating and expression. Dr. Afolalu is known for her work that explores the role of language and literacies in Black African immigrant youth identity constructions and negotiations across school, community, and digital spaces. As an artist and advocate, as well as a former middle school teacher, Lakeya pays particular attention to the intersection of racialization and socialization processes that influence identities. Dr. Afolalu is a Scholars of Color Transitioning into Academic Research Institutions (or STAR) Fellow with the Literacy Research Association and her work won the American Educational Research Association Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group’s Outstanding Dissertation Award. Dr. Lakeya Afolalu is currently an Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Washington.

To cite this episode: Persohn, L. (Host). (2023, Mar. 14). A conversation with Lakeya Afolalu. (Season 3, No. 20) [Audio podcast episode]. In Classroom Caffeine Podcast series. https://www.classroomcaffeine.com/guests. DOI: 10.5240/F003-DA43-E669-98CB-E29E-N

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