
Overall, findings from her research demonstrate within-group variation in how stress exposure impacts the African American family’s mental and behavioral health and highlights the need to go beyond between-group differences.
LESSON 1
Personal Racial Identity
Interview with Shardé Smith
With police brutality in the news, parents may be wondering how to talk to their children about racism and White supremacy. These conversations are familiar to Black families, but University of Illinois Professors Shardé Smith and Helen Neville say all families should be having them.
Illinois Newsroom education reporter Lee Gaines recently spoke with Smith, an assistant professor of human development and family studies, and Neville, a professor of educational psychology and African American studies, about best practices for both parents and educators.
Shardé Smith is an assistant professor of human development and family studies at the University of Illinois.
Read Shardé Smith’s Full Bio
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. You can find links to anti-racist educational resources below the interview.