There IS A Balm In Gilead National Conference

The Modern Civil Rights Movement forced the nation to re-think, re-examine, and re-structure how it dealt with issues of race, justice, and citizenship. Join Minnesota educators at the national conference, There IS a Balm in Gilead: Healing from the Events of 1963 for an in-depth, interactive field study of the Modern Civil Rights Movement and the pivotal role that Birmingham, Alabama played in making the promises of the U. S. Constitution a greater reality for more Americans.

About the Conference

Using a combination of lectures, first-hand accounts from history makers, travel, and primary and secondary source documents, educators will examine how the political, social, economic, and cultural institutions of the United States of America were changed as a result of the events that took place in Alabama. Educators who participate in the extended conference track will:

• engage in stimulating lectures presented by noted scholars,
• participate in discussion groups,
• meet Movement leaders and foot soldiers,
• examine works of art, literature, and music; and
• travel to landmark sites dedicated to the preservation of the history and accomplishments of the Modern Civil Rights Movement,
• earn 31 Clock Hours.

Master teachers from the 2022, “Stony the Road We Trod . . .:” Exploring Alabama’s Civil Rights Legacy Institute, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities will model and present several interactive sessions designed to help teachers make curricular connections and explore instructional strategies designed to keep students interested, involved, and motivated.

Scholarships

The Minnesota Humanities Center will provide up to 25 scholarships for Minnesota educators to attend the national conference, There IS a Balm in Gilead: Healing from the Events of 1963.

We invite all educators including district and building administrators, classroom teachers, community educators, and paraprofessionals to apply!

Scholarships will be awarded through a competitive process and will provide support for educators and administrators to join in the three-day conference or attend the extended educator track. Scholarships will be distributed to the educator’s place of employment (school, district, or organization) to reimburse the cost of transportation, conference registration, and other related travel fees for participating educators, up to $1,700 per participant.

Educators who meet the following criteria will be given priority:

• Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or person of color
• Employed by a Minnesota school or school district
• Works as a classroom teacher, paraprofessional, or other role that directly engages with students

In addition to the criteria above, the review panel may consider the diversity of the overall awardee pool, including job title, district/organization location, ability to attend conference dates, and organizational support to attend conference.

The application period has ended.

Timeline

Spots are limited! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final application deadline, or until all scholarships are awarded.

Final Application Deadline: September 1, 2023 at 1 p.m.

The There IS A Balm in Gilead Healing Conference is hosted by the Historic Bethel Baptist Church Community Restoration Fund, The Minnesota Humanities Center, and the Alabama Humanities Alliance.