Justice for Black Students

“Part autobiographical, part historical, part instructive, and all engaging enjoyment makes this volume a rare treat for the reader who gets to learn closely more about the intellectual giant Kofi Lomotey’s culturally rich beginnings, his brilliant research on Black principals, and his compassion for Black children. Captured within is an instructive approach that drove Lomotey to confidently make an impact for Black children by challenging deficit views early in his career and endeavoring to eradicate them by leading schools, even as he studied at Stanford. This thoughtful tome also includes an appreciated presentation of his earliest scholarship with exciting current connections to culturally responsive school leadership, confirming that it should be required reading for ALL educational leadership students. It will be for mine.“

Mark Gooden, Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Professor in Educational Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University

“In Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter, Kofi Lomotey pulls together a half-century of his research on Black male and female principals. Both his experience as a principal and as a scholar in the field make this book a signal contribution to the literature of a key, but often under-rated, position in the practice of schooling in the U.S.”

Larry Cuban, Professor Emeritus of Education, Stanford University

“For a definitive overview of the research on Black principals, Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter is a must read. Professor Kofi Lomotey examines the research on Black principals conducted over 40 years. Covering the earliest research on the topic through the most contemporary, Lomotey explores several frameworks used to understand Black principals' practice and does not neglect the critical role of gender. Across several chapters, combining empirical research, reviews of the literature, and questions to consider, he takes the reader on a journey through the research on Black principals. This expedition takes place against a backdrop of his life experiences. Lomotey does for the scholarship on Black principals what others have done for Black teachers.”

Michèle Foster, Professor and Henry Heuser Jr. Endowed Chair, University of Louisville

“In Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter, Dr. Lomotey offers a compelling view of how and why culture is important for school leadership. As he pulls together his journey and much of his life's academic works, he masterfully guides readers to consider why school leaders do the work they do, and to ponder their greater purposes and commitments. Researchers and practitioners alike will find useful the discussion questions, and the invitation to think of who they are, and what redeeming qualities they may have, as leaders. This is most palpable in Dr. Lomotey's reflections and synthesis on ethno-humanist school leadership -- a concept that he coined, and that would go on to reshape our entire field. What is perhaps most promising is that Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter offers school leaders, university professors and educators another chance to offer a humanizing and fulfilling educational experience to Black students. It is brilliant and should be read and used widely!”

Muhammad A. Khalifa, Professor, Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University

“In the opening of this much anticipated text, Dr. Lomotey takes us on a journey beginning with the personal by telling his own life story and how it serves as the foundation for his work in the field and frame for this text. This critical choice sets the reader up for a journey into his genius and how he masterfully explicates the contributions of -- and need for -- the Black principalship in practice and in research. This is an amazing and much needed work for the field of educational leadership and beyond.”

Judy A. Alston, Director & Professor, Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies, Ashland University

“In Justice for Black Students: Black Principals Matter, Dr. Lomotey demonstrates how research is enriched by the culturally nuanced epistemological sensemaking of a scholar’s lived experiences… Lomotey addresses how the intersection of race and gender has been researched and elevates some themes that characterize the leadership of Black male and Black women principals.” (Read the full review at Teachers College Record, July 2023.)

kecia hayes, PhD, Senior Professorial Lecturer, Educational Policy & Leadership Program, American University’s School of Education

Acknowledgments

Foreword
Sonya Douglass

Introduction
Kofi Lomotey

Part One: My Early Work
1. My Beginnings: New York City, Oberlin, and Stanford

2. Black Principals for Black Students: Some Preliminary Observations

3. African American Principals: Bureaucrat/Administrators and Ethno-Humanists

Part Two: Issues of Gender

4. Research on the Leadership of Black Women Principals: Implications for Black Students

5. The Leadership of Black Male Principals: What the Research Tells Us

Part Three: Justice for Black Students (and People): Ethno-Humanism and Cultural Responsiveness

6. Ethno-Humanism: Extending its Significance

7. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy/Teaching

8. Culturally Responsive School Leadership

9. What Does This All Mean for Black Students (and Black People)?

Afterword
Linda C. Tillman

About the Author

Index


NOTE: Information subject to change up until publication date.

Kofi Lomotey

For more than 40 years—as a scholar and as a practitioner—Kofi Lomotey has focused on the education of black people. At the higher education level, he has been a university professor, department chair, provost, president and chancellor. He has been a founder, teacher and administrator at three independent African-centered schools. Kofi’s research interests include urban schools, African American students in higher education, African American principals in elementary schools and independent African-centered schools. He has published several books, articles in professional journals and book chapters.