SXSW EDU 2024 Opening Keynote, Five New Featured Sessions, & Many Networking Opportunities Announced

We are incredibly excited to unveil the Opening Keynote as the latest addition to the growing lineup for SXSW EDU 2024.

Presented as a fireside chat with Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director of The African American Policy Forum, and Dr. Jonathan Cox, vice president of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, this Keynote will discuss the debate over Critical Race Theory, inviting attendees to dive into the significance of its integration into academia.

“SXSW EDU’s mission has always been to offer discussions and perspectives on the matters impacting the state of education. Because Critical Race Theory remains a significant topic in the field, it is fitting to open our 2024 conference and festival with a comprehensive discussion. We are thrilled that Dr. Crenshaw and Dr. Cox, two of the country's leading voices on African American representation, political discourse, policy, and justice, will join us to host this incredibly important and relevant Keynote.”

-Greg Rosenbaum
Senior Director, SXSW EDU

Furthermore, we are announcing five new Featured Sessions focused on empowering educators, this year’s Mentor Program lineup featuring One-on-One Mentor Sessions and Roundtable Discussions, and more than 40 new sessions!

Dive into the extensive list of Keynote and Featured Sessions, new programming, mentors, and a plethora of networking opportunities that will be available next March.

Keynote Session

Unraveling Myths About Critical Race Theory in Education

This meaningful discussion will explore the debate over Critical Race Theory (CRT) and unravel myths and misconceptions that challenges the opposition in conversation with invited guest and leading scholar of CRT, Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw. We will cover the conceptual overview of CRT as the fundamental acknowledgement of historical and present injustices and how integrating it into academic and political discourse is a significant step towards achieving justice and fulfilling the constitutional guarantees for Black people and other marginalized groups.

Dr. Jonathan Cox, Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis and Research, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Co-Founder & Executive Director, The African American Policy Forum

Featured Sessions

Centering Blackness: Educate… Inform & Innovate!

Education, technology, and innovation are at the heart of The HistoryMakers' mission to effectively center black voices and excellence in today's classroom. When students do not see themselves reflected in history, they don't see a pathway to make history. Join this conversation to hear how digital archives can transform how history is taught such that it can inform and respond to today's 21st century students.

Julieanna Richardson, Founder & President, The HistoryMakers

For the World to Come: Exploding How We Do Civics in Schools

Rather than simply preparing students to navigate the precarious democracy of today, civics can support students to build futures worthy of their creativity, ingenuity, and passion. But this can only occur if we explode traditional approaches to civic education that is bound to a narrow range of subjects, grades, and knowledge. We offer a model of world-building civic education that positions every teacher as a civic teacher, insists upon ideological commitments to equity and justice, and provides strategies for fostering empathy, inquiry, and social imagination in every classroom.

Antero Garcia, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education at Stanford University
Nicole Mirra, Associate Professor, Rutgers University Graduate School of Education

How Do We Find the Good at a Time Like This?

Teachers are facing unprecedented challenges in their work, and this is causing many to leave the classroom altogether. How can those who stay sustain themselves and still find joy in their work? In this session, join two veteran educators to learn about and explore the intentional steps teachers can take to find meaning, beauty, and significance in their work every day.

Jennifer Gonzalez, Editor in Chief, Cult of Pedagogy
Rebecka Peterson, 2023 National Teacher of the Year, Union High School

The Power of Place: Transforming America One Block at a Time

Where you grow up, within 0.6 of a mile, decides the likelihood that you'll earn more than your parents in adulthood. To find solutions to economic inequality, it is critical to understand how and why ‘place’ and economic mobility interconnect. This session will trace the evolution of the place-based cradle-to-career model and share how practices developed in Harlem and beyond are leading to scalable solutions and systems change impacting over 1 million young people. Mr. Canada will emphasize the vital role of education within the place-based field aspiring to empower and uplift youth nationwide.

Geoffrey Canada, President, Harlem Children's Zone

Browse More Announcements

New Sessions

More than 40 new sessions have been added to the 2024 lineup featuring discussions on leading DEI efforts, impact-oriented research, and supporting early career teachers.

Mentors & Roundtable Discussions

Make connections and gain valuable advice, support, and insights through the SXSW EDU Mentor Program. Meet with mentors in either a one-on-one or group discussion setting.

Explore the initial lineup of more than 90 mentors, chosen from a selection of highly qualified applicants. These industry leaders can help you navigate career challenges, find paths forward, and work towards making an impact in your career. Stay tuned for One-on-One Mentor Session and Roundtable Discussion sign ups opening in February.

Meet Ups

Explore the initial Meet Up lineup featuring topic-focused networking events. Dive in and find meet ups that align with your passions and interests — meaningful connections await. Be sure to add to your favorites so your schedule is set come March.

Coffee & Snack Breaks

Keep your energy going by stopping by the Expo in the morning and afternoon for coffee breaks and afternoon snacks.

Coffee Break (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)
Snack Break (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)

Hikes

Start your morning with a 1.5 mile guided hike through Austin’s Greenbelt, where you can explore some of the city’s most beautiful trails while meeting and connecting with other attendees.

Greenbelt Hike with Explore Austin (Tuesday | Wednesday)

Walking Tours

Get to know Austin’s music and art culture on one hour guided walking tours through the historic downtown and East Side.

Austin Music Walking Tour (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)
East Side Art Walking Tour (Monday | Wednesday | Thursday)
Downtown Austin Walking Tour (Sunday | Tuesday)

Pop-Up Dinners

Grab a bite while making new connections at pop-up dinners at restaurants in downtown Austin. Don’t worry about saving a seat, we’ve already made the reservation, just find the restaurant that fits your budget.

Pop-Up Dinners (Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday)

Socials

Education is fun! Stop by the number of social events happening during the week and meet other attendees while enjoying music, food, drinks, and more.

Early Bird Social - Sunday
SXSW EDU Opening Party - Monday
Launch Spotlight - Tuesday
Beats & BBQ Social - Thursday

EDU Social

Don’t wait until the event – registrants can start making connections today with EDU Social. Browse the directory, chat with other attendees, and book or modify your hotel reservations all in one platform. Start your SXSW EDU experience today!

Don’t Miss Out On SXSW EDU 2024

Register and book your hotel today to break new ground in education through compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, mentorship, film screenings, trailblazing competitions, a dynamic expo, networking opportunities, and so much more at SXSW EDU from March 4-7, 2024.

Be the first to know of any information leading up to the event through Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and our newsletter.

SXSW EDU 2024 Keynote and Featured Speaker photos provided by the speakers. Julieanna Richardson photo by Timothy Greenfield Sanders.