Shawn Ginwright is the Jerome T. Murphy Professor of Practice at Harvard Graduate School of Education, renowned for his expertise in trauma, healing, African American youth, youth activism, and youth development. He is a distinguished writer, a leading innovator, and a thought leader in his field. Dr. Ginwright is committed to transforming schools into sanctuaries of healing and well-being, drawing on his extensive experience working in urban communities.

With a background in grassroots direct service and as the former chairman of the Board of a $5 billion foundation, Dr. Ginwright has a comprehensive perspective on youth empowerment. His work has been cited in the New York Times, and he is a sought-after speaker both nationally and internationally, addressing topics such as civic engagement, youth activism, and the transformative power of healing.

Dr. Ginwright’s research focuses on the challenges faced by youth in urban communities, particularly their efforts to overcome poverty and strive for equality and justice in their schools and neighborhoods. In 2018, he introduced the concept of “healing-centered engagement,” emphasizing an asset-based approach to addressing youth trauma. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Flourish Agenda, Inc., a research lab and consulting firm dedicated to designing strategies that harness the power of healing and engage youth of color and their adult allies in transforming their communities and educational institutions.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dr. Ginwright was honored with the Fulbright Senior Specialist award from the US State Department in 2011 for his exemplary research and work with urban youth. He is the author of several influential books, including “The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves” (North Atlantic Books), “Hope and Healing in Urban Education: How Urban Activists and Teachers Are Reclaiming Matters of the Heart,” “Black Youth Rising: Activism and Radical Healing in Urban America,” “Black in School: Afrocentric Reform, Urban Youth, and the Promise of Hip-Hop Culture,” and co-editor of “Beyond Resistance! Youth Activism and Community Change: New Democratic Possibilities for Practice and Policy for America’s Youth.”

Additionally, Dr. Ginwright served as chairman of the board for the California Endowment from 2018 to 2021, overseeing a $5 billion endowment aimed at improving the health of underserved communities in California. He is also an advisory board member for the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning at the Jonathan Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Dr. Ginwright divides his time between Boston and Oakland, California. For more information, please visit www.ShawnGinwright.com