Building Toward the Future of Literacy Equity with Ken Bigger - EP 22

When you think of literacy, what comes to mind? Is it reading, writing, or something else?  Our definition of literacy is often oversimplified, much like the limits often placed on the question of who is and who is not “literate”. In this episode, Alida discusses literacy equity with Ken Bigger, the Director of Thought Leadership at the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. 

A vital figure in the movement to improve and facilitate conversations around the future of literacy in the U.S., Ken’s perspective on his field is one built on a deep understanding of human nature and a profound hopefulness for change.

Dig deeper into literacy with Alida and Ken as they explore:

• The difference between literacy and literacy equity
• The pitfalls of approaching literacy from the perspective of saviorism
• Civic fluency and inviting inclusive conversations
• Why education needs to incorporate literacy in all its forms

Important resources from this episode:

• The Twittering Machine by Richard Seymour - https://www.versobooks.com/en-ca/products/2505-the-twittering-machine
• The Color of Mind: Why the Origins of the Achievement Gap Matter for Justice by Derrick Darby - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-color-of-mind-why-the-origins-of-the-achievement-gap-matter-for-justice-derrick-darby/8296031?ean=9780226525358
• Language at the Speed of Sight by Mark Seidenberg - https://bookshop.org/p/books/language-at-the-speed-of-sight-how-we-read-why-so-many-can-t-and-what-can-be-done-about-it-mark-seidenberg/12785604?ean=9781541617155
• Proust and the Squid - https://www.amazon.com/Proust-Squid-Story-Science-Reading/dp/0060933844/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=671372748842&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001601&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6153848402677488693&hvtargid=kwd-508007502232&hydadcr=22459_13497880&keywords=the+proust+and+the+squid&qid=1702352754&sr=8-1
• The Science of Reading by Adrian Johns - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-science-of-reading-information-media-and-mind-in-modern-america/18891973?ean=9780226821481
• The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-knowledge-gap-the-hidden-cause-of-america-s-broken-education-system-and-how-to-fix-it-natalie-wexler/12471984?ean=9780735213562
• How to Educate a Citizen by E.D. Hirsch - https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-educate-a-citizen-the-power-of-shared-knowledge-to-unify-a-nation-e-d-hirsch/13705054?ean=9781799940722

Connect With Ken Bigger:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbiggera40pub 

Connect With Alida:

• Shar