Sabrina Brinson
Professor, Childhood Education and Family Studies | Missouri State University
Springfield, MO, UNITED STATES
Dr. Brinson specializes in diversity and social justice, with an emphasis in African American studies and culturally responsive practices.
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Biography
Dr. Sabrina Brinson, Diversity Fellow and Professor of Childhood Education and Family Studies at Missouri State University, holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a cognate in reading. Her primary lines of research include diversity, multiculturalism and social justice, with an emphasis in African American studies; culturally responsive literature; and social, emotional, and moral development.
Dr. Brinson publishes results in international and national journals like Contemporary Education, Multicultural Perspectives and The Dragon Lode-Journal of the International Literacy Association.
Likewise, she presents papers at international and national conferences like the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Annual Conference for the International Literacy Association and the Annual Conference for the National Association for Multicultural Education.
Currently, she serves as coordinator of the University-based Mentoring, Support and Partnership Program; creator and advisor of the student-led Diversity Task Force; creator and coordinator of the We Heart Our Veterans Initiative; creator and coordinator of the Real Men Consortium; chair of the Student Day Planning Committee for the 2016 Statewide Collaborative Diversity Conference; co-Chair of the Diversity Coordination Task Force; and member and former chair of the African American Studies Committee.
Dr. Brinson is the founder and national director of two award-winning national, community-based, literacy programs: Boys Booked on Barbershops (B-BOB) and Girls Booked on Beautyshops (G-BOB). The programs are designed for youth (ages 1-18) to increase their reading interests, reading practices and literacy development. Reading nooks with literacy tips for parents and a variety of high-interest, culturally responsive books are set up in barbershops and beautyshops (and other community sites) across the United States. The programs are in partnership with 22 organizations to date. Picture it, boys and girls reading and/or being read to while waiting for their turn in the barber’s or beautician's chair!
She is also a member of several professional organizations including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Literacy Association.
Industry Expertise (3)
Education/Learning
Research
Writing and Editing
Areas of Expertise (8)
Education
Childhood Education
Literacy
Bullying
Diversity
Multiculturalism
Social Justice
African American Studies
Accomplishments (2)
Selected as the Higher Education Policy Analyst for Missouri for the Policy Analysis Initiative (professional)
2017 Sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English
Recipient of the Drum Major Award from the Springfield Branch of the NAACP
2015 For the development and advancement of difficult conversations
Education (4)
University of South Florida: Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction 1998
Emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a cognate in Reading
University of South Florida: M.A., Special Education 1992
Emphasis in Behavior Disorders
University of South Florida: B.A., Psychology 1985
University of South Florida: B.A., English Literature 1985
Affiliations (10)
- National Association for Multicultural Education
- National Black Child Development Institute
- National Council of Teachers of English
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Midwest Association for the Education of Young Children
- Ozarks Association for the Education of Young Children
- International Literacy Association
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Women in the NAACP Standing Committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Education Standing Committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Links (3)
Media Appearances (3)
Questions about diversity, inclusion dominate Springfield school board forum
Springfield News-Leader online
2016-03-21
The one-hour forum Saturday at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library was moderated by Sabrina Brinson, professor of childhood education and family studies at Missouri State University.
Springfield School Board Candidate Forum Being Held At Midtown Carnegie Branch Library
Scripps Radio Station online
2016-03-19
Today, beginning at 12:30, the Springfield Branch of the NAACP will be hosting a Springfield School Board candidate forum at the Midtown Carnegie Library. Dr. Sabrina Brinson, professor of childhood education and family studies at Missouri State University, will be moderating the forum.
Maroon Minute recognizes research of Sabrina A. Brinson
Missouri State University News online
2015-02-20
Illiteracy is a concern for Dr. Sabrina Brinson, a Diversity Fellow and a professor of childhood education and family studies. Dr. Brinson is an advocate for learning reading skills early and reinforcing them often. But she is equally concerned about the plague of aliteracy, which is the ability to read but lacking the desire and motivation.
Event Appearances (10)
Equity literacy required for a fair and balanced curricula
1st Annual Conference for Academic Research in Education (2017) Las Vegas, Nevada
Culturally responsive literature recollected and present for practitioner accountability
International Conference for National Association for Multicultural Education (2016) Cleveland, Ohio
The audacity of accountability
Annual Convention for the National Council of Teachers of English (2016) Atlanta, Georgia
Using culturally responsive books as a bridge over troubled waters
Annual Conference for National Association for the Education of Young Children (2016) Los Angeles, California
Eradicating diversity, equity, and inclusion as an afterthought, a fleeting thought, and a superficial thought
Hawaii International Conference on Education (2016) Honolulu, Hawaii
Eyes wide shut: Awakening society to the perils of human trafficking
4th Annual Statewide Collaborative Diversity Conference (2016) Springfield, Missouri
Forgotten but not gone: Integrating African-American literature into curricula
60th Annual Conference for the International Literacy Association (2015) St. Louis, Missouri
Using multicultural literature as positive portals of curriculum to civic and social understandings
59th Annual Conference for the International Reading Association (2014) New Orleans, Louisiana
School daze: Using language and literature to eliminate our own “isms"
2nd Annual Statewide Collaborative Diversity Conference (2013) Springfield, Missouri
Literacy for boys and girls: The barber-beauty shop connection
102st Annual Convention for the National Council of Teachers of English (2012) Las Vegas, Nevada
Minds-Eye (1)
Picking the right literature to counter aliteracy
Imagine entering a restaurant and being unable to read the menu. Or looking at a ballot on Election Day and not knowing which issue was being put forth. That is the startling scenario for one out of seven adults in the United States. Illiteracy is a concern for Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson, who advocates for learning those skills early and reinforcing often. But she is equally concerned about the plague of aliteracy – a term used to describe having the ability to read but lacking the desire and motivation.
Articles (8)
Knowledge of multicultural literature among early childhood educators
Multicultural Education
2012 In today's ever changing multicultural society, it is imperative for early childhood educators to be adept at facilitating the learning and progress of all children. In the United States, children of color make up about 40% of the population, and across the world children of color make up approximately 70% of the population. A primary goal in early childhood programs is to welcome and embrace the diversity of children and families in today's multicultural society. Therefore, early childhood educators need to hone their interpersonal skills, increase their knowledge about different cultures, and facilitate learning activities that compliment children from diverse populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of early childhood educators about multicultural literature for children.
Pledging allegiance to patriotic books in elementary classrooms
The Dragon Lode: Journal of the International Reading Association SIG in Children’s Literature
2011
From Thunder Rose to When Marian Sang ... Behold the power of African-American female characters! Reading to encourage Self-worth, Inspire/Inform, and bring Pleasure
Young Children
2009 Stories are important teaching tools. To ensure that young children are informed and experience more than a handful of African American women and girls' stories and authors, this article showcases notable and little-known accomplishments of exceptional women, real and imaginary.
Reading while black (and male)
The Dragon Lode: Journal of the International Reading Association SIG in Children’s Literature
2009
Utilizing assistive technology in inclusive classrooms-Leaving no child without
Journal of Educational Technology
2008 Students who are at-risk and with disabilities often benefit from strategically designed computer supported assignments and instruction. The proposed manuscript summarizes a research study which included a focus on training participants to effectively utilize hand-held computers and select software programs in planning, delivering, and assessing daily instruction in inclusive elementary school settings.
NGOMA: Celebrate the "dream" with African-American literature
Multicultural Perspectives
2008 How can we celebrate the most powerful dream (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s) in America's history, which paved the way for civil rights, equality, and social justice? How can we heighten students' awareness of these civil and social issues?
Gone but not forgotten: Children's experiences with attachment, separation, and loss
Reclaiming Children and Youth: The Journal of Strength-based Interventions
2007 Attachment, separation, and loss are critical life events for many young children. This article discusses prevalent factors of separation and loss and their potential harmful effects on development.
Boys booked on barbershops: A cutting-edge literacy program
Young Children
2007 The barbershop is a community institution, one of the most familiar and stable businesses in any neighborhood. Men and boys frequent barbershops, and barbers get to know their customers by name and personality. Boys Booked on Barbershops (B-BOB) is an innovative literacy program designed to make the most of a naturally occurring opportunity: the wait for a turn in the barber chair.