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LaDonna Marrero (they/them) is a Black, non-binary educator and facilitator originally from Dallas, Texas. As Penn Alum, LaDonna graduated in 2015 with a BA in Religious Studies and planned to attend veterinary school until switching careers to education a few years later. They are currently, working towards their Master’s of Education in the Education, Culture, and Society program in Penn’s Graduate School of Education and are passionate about education equity, Black liberation, art and support for queer youth. As the Associate Director of Student Programming and Social Justice Education, LaDonna engages directly with students through the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, Penn Alternative Breaks, and Civic House Affinity Groups. LaDonna’s personal pedagogy is built upon the concept that education is a key part of liberation and critical to the dismantling of oppressive systems. Informed and inspired through the work of educators, activists, and academics such as bell hooks, Paulo Freire, Mari Matsuda, and Franz Fanon, they believe systemic oppression can only be combated through building, supporting, and maintaining communities. This requires constant learning, relationship building, reflection, and identity work. |
