LaGarrett King

is an internationally recognized scholar of Black history education. A former teacher in Texas and Georgia, King studies how Black history and race is taught and learned in schools and society. His research also examines critical theories of race, teacher education and curriculum history.

King’s extensive published work on these topics includes several edited or co-edited books, ranging from “Perspectives of Black Histories in Schools,” which brings together a diverse group of scholars to discuss how Black history is understood in K-12 education, to “We Be Lovin’ Black Children,” which shares strategies and activities for ensuring Black children are loved and safe, facilitating their cultural and academic excellence.

King is founding director of the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education at UB, which focuses on research and teacher professional development activities that seek to improve K-12 Black history education. The center also builds networks of people and organizations committed to Black history education, including through its signature Teaching Black History Conference, an annual event for educators interested in transformative and engaging ways to teach K-12 Black history in history and humanities courses.