We believe that advancing educational equity requires not only innovative programs and leadership development, but also a deeper understanding of the systems, conditions, and leadership practices that shape outcomes for Black learners. Our research agenda explores the intersections of leadership, innovation, technology, and educational opportunity, with a particular focus on the role Black leaders play in driving transformative change across the education ecosystem.

Through original research, field convenings, and strategic partnerships, IFE seeks to generate evidence that informs practice, influences policy, and strengthens pathways for Black leaders from early childhood through workforce development. By centering the experiences and expertise of Black leaders, our work contributes new insights to the field while advancing solutions that improve outcomes for Black learners nationwide.

RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

Setting the agenda for Black leadership's effect on Black learners in education.

As generative artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education, critical questions remain about who is designing these tools, whose experiences inform their development, and how they can be leveraged to advance—not undermine—equity.

To explore these questions, Innovation For Equity convened its first GenAI Equity Symposium on April 6, 2025, in San Diego as a pre-convening alongside the ASU+GSV Air Show. This invitation-only gathering brought together Black and mission-aligned EdTech innovators, researchers, investors, and practitioners working across the AI landscape to examine how generative AI can better serve Black learners.

Participants engaged in collaborative discussions focused on:

Centering equity and responsible inputs in the design, research, and implementation of GenAI tools

Identifying promising practices and bright spots advancing equitable AI

Examining emerging challenges and opportunities as AI adoption accelerates

Expanding support for Black leaders shaping the future of educational technology

Guided by Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings, the symposium informed the development of IFE's white paper, Generative AI Use by Black Educators for Black Learners. The paper captures key findings, recommendations, and opportunities for collective action to ensure that emerging technologies are developed and deployed in ways that benefit Black learners and the communities they serve.

FEATURE

The GenAI Equity Symposium