Pixel International Conferences

Hardin L.K. Coleman

BU Wheelock College of Education and Human Development

United States of America

[email protected]

Elizabeth A. Barcay

BU Wheelock College of Education and Human Development

United States of America [email protected]

For decades, The Center for Character and Social Responsibility has sought to support professionals, particularly within the field of education, in their efforts to build communities that foster both individual and collective flourishing. Such communities encourage youth and adults alike to develop their senses of self and character, and to put their values into action – both for their own growth and for the good of those around them. The CCSR community believes that this work can happen anywhere, and that individuals can, and often do, facilitate organizational progress. In this age of polarization [1] it is important to examine how people and organizations are working to build communities of care rather than barriers to connection, and to amplify the narrative that such growth is possible. Coleman and Barcay [2] reported on the ways in which leaders of educational institutions and community-based organizations use an ethic of care, a focus on their own and others’ character development, and a commitment to community in order to create high-quality learning experiences and opportunities for all youth. This paper will report on how leaders in organizations that serve culturally and linguistically diverse youth integrate their own sense of character, as well as their commitment to creating communities in which all youth can flourish, into the work of building effective organizations.

Keywords Caring, Community, Character

References [1] Klein, E. (2020). Why are we polarized? Simon & Schuster. New York, New York [2] Coleman, H.L.K. & Barcay, E.A., (2022). Caring, character, and community: Leadership in times of crisis. Conference Proceedings: Future of Education (12th Ed.). Florence, Italy: LiberiaUniversitaria.