"Society portrays men of color as something to lust after or aspire to attain. We're represented to be used and feasted upon and are treated like nothing more t... Go Deeper
"One of the most common assumptions that people make about me as a man of color is that I'm mean, thuggish, arrogant, or even stuck up. But I wish people really... Go Deeper
"As a society, we train children subconsciously to look at being black or a person of color as highly undesirable or ugly. As a child, I lost sight in the pride... Go Deeper
"Based on my looks, people always assume I only like and play sports. But I also love poetry and writing. And as a man of color, we are always being portrayed a... Go Deeper
"Most people usually assume I'm angry or aggressive, before they speak to me. I wish people knew how much of an approachable and cool person I am, but that can ... Go Deeper
"#WeSmileToo has the potential to change how society views men of color and broaden not just our collective body of work, but society's views regarding change a... Go Deeper
"There are so many negative stereotypes when it comes to men of color that no one is exposed to the other beautiful things men of color are capable of, which is... Go Deeper
"There aren't any other platforms for black men to smile and be themselves. Most campaigns already have an agenda, showing men of color as aggressive, dominant,... Go Deeper
"#WeSmileToo is important because it gives voice to all men of color, and displays that there are all varying types of men with different skin tones, body types... Go Deeper
"#WeSmileToo dares to be different and challenges the status quo, which is instrumental to the future. It spreads positive awareness for men of color and what w... Go Deeper
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The Healing Literacy Framework
In 2019, Keith F. Miller, Jr., observed something remarkable while running creative writing after school programs in Savannah, GA: Students from all backgrounds didn’t just step outside their comfort zones—they learned, led, and thrived with unmistakable joy. Despite this, Keith heard from students and families that school, even for the high-achievers, was a place they survived, not thrived. This led Keith, through his studies in Educational Psychology, to explore why young people felt empowered to learn, lead, and heal in some spaces but not in others.
Through a qualitative research study involving interviews with high schoolers, fellow teaching artists over a year, in addition to examining creative works from youth journals and performances, Keith found that when young people engage in arts-based healing practices with trusted others (peers and adults), they don’t just cope with their struggles—they transform them, becoming vibrant leaders in the process.
Drawing inspiration from the process of rainbow formation—reflection, refraction, and dispersion—and building off of groundbreaking research from scholars like David Kirkland, Gholdy Muhammad, Bettina Love, Bianca Baldridge, and Shawn Ginwright, Keith developed the Healing Literacy Framework, illustrating how arts-based, community programs are vital in supporting young people as they overcome educational trauma, and, in doing so, can result in transformative partnerships in school and beyond that prove healing is possible for everyone.
Enter, HEALIT
In 2019, Keith F. Miller, Jr., observed something remarkable while running creative writing after school programs in Savannah, GA: Students from all backgrounds didn’t just step outside their comfort zones—they learned, led, and thrived with unmistakable joy. Despite this, Keith heard from students and families that school, even for the high-achievers, was a place they survived, not thrived. This led Keith, through his studies in Educational Psychology, to explore why young people felt empowered to learn, lead, and heal in some spaces but not in others.
Through a qualitative research study involving interviews with high schoolers, fellow teaching artists over a year, in addition to examining creative works from youth journals and performances, Keith found that when young people engage in arts-based healing practices with trusted others (peers and adults), they don’t just cope with their struggles—they transform them, becoming vibrant leaders in the process.
Drawing inspiration from the process of rainbow formation—reflection, refraction, and dispersion—and building off of groundbreaking research from scholars like David Kirkland, Gholdy Muhammad, Bettina Love, Bianca Baldridge, and Shawn Ginwright, Keith developed the Healing Literacy Framework, illustrating how arts-based, community programs are vital in supporting young people as they overcome educational trauma, and, in doing so, can result in transformative partnerships in school and beyond that prove healing is possible for everyone.