Black Caucus
Since its founding in 1970, the continuing mission of the Black Caucus has been to enhance the professional welfare of English language arts professionals of African descent, who work on all levels, from kindergarten through graduate school, who are members of NCTE and CCCC, and who are committed to Black students and scholars experiencing success in English language arts.
In order for the Black Caucus to grow and adapt to today’s issues yet stay rooted in the principles of its founding, we must dedicate ourselves to active participation and also invite others to join and become involved in the Black Caucus. In that spirit, we welcome you to join with us. We are here to support each other in professional growth and solidarity. We meet at each NCTE and CCCCs meeting. Come and meet your caucus colleagues across the country and even internationally.
For more information about the Black Caucus, please visit the Black Caucus website. Annual membership dues for the NCTE Black Caucus are $40 USD for faculty and $20 for students. Click here to secure or renew your membership.
Contact Information
Co-Chairs:
Ersula J. Ore
Arizona State University
Alexis McGee
University of British Columbia
News and Announcements
Black Caucus Geneva Smitherman Award
The NCTE/CCCC Black Caucus is pleased to announce The 2020 Geneva Smitherman Award for Research in Black Languages, Literacies, Cultures, and Rhetorics. The selection committee is now accepting applications and nominations for this award. Please see the application for information and instructions.
Congratulations to Dr. Brandon Erby, Penn State University, the 2020 recipient of the Black Caucus Geneva Smitherman Award
View Dr. Erby’s acceptance video
NCTE/CCCC Black Caucus Statement on Detroit Students Right to Access Literacy
May 2020
The Black Caucus of NCTE and CCCC Denounces Racism and White Supremacy
August 21, 2017
NCTE/CCCC Black Caucus Statement on the Orlando Mass Shooting
June 15, 2016
NCTE Statement Affirming #BlackLivesMatter
Authored by the
NCTE/CCCC Black Caucus
September 2015
Mission Statement
The Black Caucus of NCTE/CCCC is an advocacy group of Black English language arts educators and scholars who are involved in the teaching and learning of communication skills. The Black Caucus:
- Promotes and supports positive images and meaningful status, i.e. involvement and key leadership roles, for Black professional English language arts educators in NCTE, CCCC, and the profession at large.
- Initiates and supports resolutions and position statements that result in a broader understanding of language, composition, and literature.
- Maintains a network of Black educators whose interests include appropriate teaching methodologies and practices that foster success for Black teachers and students in language, composition, and literature.
Caucus Videos
The videos below were developed through a project titled, Writing and Working for Change: A Digital Archive of Social Activism by Teachers of NCTE/CCCC. These videos serve as one of many ways to preserve and expand access to records documenting the collective work of English teachers and as a way of supporting NCTE’s commitment to social justice and equality.