AIEA introduced Community Connections at the 2022 Annual Conference as a way for conference attendees to have a first-hand experiential opportunity in the host community, with a focus on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), which is a priority of AIEA.​

2025 Community Connections: Project Row Houses 

Project Row Houses is a community-driven organization that fosters meaningful engagement through art, with a focus on cultural identity and its influence on the urban environment. By collaborating with neighbors, artists, and local enterprises, they  create sustainable opportunities in marginalized communities through collective creative action.

Located in Houston’s Historic Third Ward, one of the city's oldest African-American neighborhoods, Project Row Houses spans five city blocks and includes 39 structures dedicated to community-enriching initiatives. These range from art programs to neighborhood development activities.

Participants will enjoy lunch with local residents, engage in meaningful dialogue facilitated by Project Row Houses's docent, and contribute to community art.

Many thanks to the University of Houston, 2025 Community Connections sponsor!

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Past AIEA Community Connections

2024: What You Always Wanted to Know about HBCus but Didn't Want to Ask 

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Howard University   

AIEA’s Community Connections offer conference participants to

• Gain first-hand insights into the lived experiences of those in a community local to the Annual Conference
• Develop greater appreciation for and understanding of different perspectives
• Identify empowered actions to take in leading inclusive internationalization efforts in participants' respective contexts
  
  

Enjoy the energy of Howard University!

​This session begins with a lunch with Howard University students at the University Cafeteria, followed by a short campus tour, as understanding the environs is key to understanding the Howard University community.   After the tour, we will reconvene as a group to begin our afternoon session which will feature story circles with Howard University students, faculty and staff.  Story circles will provide insight into the perspectives of HBCU stakeholders as participants consider how to engage with these institutions or how you might engage with different stakeholders on your campus.

Howard University, Washington, DC -View full photo album 

2023: Challenges and Opportunities in Trauma-Informed higher education practices 

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 12-5 p.m., (includes lunch, courtesy of Gallaudet University)

Location: Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

Since 1864, when Abraham Lincoln signed the charter, Gallaudet University has directly fostered the growth and leadership of deaf and hard of hearing people in the spheres of education, research, career, and civic engagement. Gallaudet's students, alumni, and employees --drawn from many nations-- are deeply immersed in movements for human rights and equal opportunity worldwide. This immersive campus activity will look at Gallaudet’s trauma-informed practices in fostering equity, full access, and achievement for this traditionally disadvantaged yet resilient population.

This special event was held on the historic 100-acre campus (designed by landscape architect, Frances Olmsted (Central Park, etc.). Activities include a campus tour, immersion in a sign language setting (student cafeteria for lunch), and round table exchange about the lived experience of Deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind people and the equity-centered and trauma-informed practices of this university, with emphasis on diverse perspectives of those from outside the United States.

This is the first part of a two-year connection with trauma-informed universities in the Washington, DC area. In February 2024, Howard University is likely to host the activity. 

 Gallaudet University, Washington, DC -View full photo album 

2022 Community connection: An Afternoon with Ms. Leona Tate at the TEP Center

Wednesday, Feb 23, 2022 
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: TEP Center -Lower Ninth Ward New Orleans, LA 
Join AIEA participants in traveling to the TEP Center in New Orleans to meet with Ms. Leona Tate, a Civil Rights pioneer and activist who was one of the first Black children in the United States to desegregate a public school in 1960, along with Ruby Bridges, Tessie Prevost and Gail Etienne. 

The integration of New Orleans public elementary schools marked a major focal point in the history of the American Civil Rights Movement.  The TEP Center is now in the historic landmark building she helped integrate. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet with Ms. Leona Tate and then reflect on how university leaders can continue to integrate a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) lens into internationalization efforts. 

*Note that this unique opportunity is available to fully paid and registered conference participants who must sign up in advance by Friday Feb 18 since AIEA is generously covering the costs of participants to engage in this special Community Connections experience.  

Leona Tate Foundation https://www.leonatatefoundation.org/
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https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_d507518c-839c-11ec-8d00-ff3a062a1d6a.html

AGENDA
1:00PM - Group meets at AIEA Registration Desk (Fifth Floor) and leaves Sheraton New Orleans (bus transport provided by AIEA)
1:30PM- Arrival at TEP Center
1:30-2:30PM - Ms. Leona's Story with Q&A
2:45-3:30PM - Tour of TEP Center
3:30-4:15PM- Small Group Discussions 
4:15-4:30PM - Wrap Up 
4:30PM- Depart for Sheraton New Orleans
5:00PM - Arrive back at Sheraton

​An afternoon with Leona Tate at the
TEP CENTER
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Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans LA

View full album