ABLE Conversation Symposium
The Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE) is delighted to announce the 2024 ABLE Conversation Symposium, which will take place online only on Saturday, November 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET.
This event is free and open to the public.
- ASL interpretation will be available at the event.
- Attendees will be able to use the live transcription function of Zoom.
- At the request of the presenters, the event will not be recorded.
Master of Ceremonies/Host: Jordan Campbell
Jordan Campbell is a dynamic emerging leader in the American arts and cultural sector. With a career that spans the fields of education, arts and culture, policy, and executive leadership, Campbell has a consistent track record of trailblazing strategic innovation. In just two years as the executive director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center, his bold vision has ignited a staggering 522 percent increase in the annual budget and tripled participant engagement, which has not only revitalized access to the arts in rural Appalachian Eastern Kentucky, but has also set new standards for cultural innovation in rural communities nationwide.
Campbell holds an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a B.F.A. in musical theater and B.A. in political science from Western Kentucky University, and studied West African theater and dance at the University of Ghana. At Harvard, Campbell not only conducted pivotal research in arts education but also launched the inaugural Harvard Veritas Play Festival and the Harvard Graduate School Theatre Collective.
Much of Campbell’s work is informed by many years as a professional stage actor. As a Helen Hayes Award-nominated performer, Campbell has dazzled audiences around the world in Broadway tours, at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. As a passionate educator, Campbell has taught theater to individuals of all ages, from young students in India and China to adults in Saudi Arabia and Washington, D.C. His teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that the arts are a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation. This conviction is reflected in his extensive work in arts education, where he has contributed to numerous publications and conferences on topics such as youth voice in creative placemaking and social justice through creative methods.
Campbell’s dynamic career trajectory is a testament to his multidisciplinary approach in the creative sector, including influential roles at the White House during the Obama administration, Americans for the Arts, and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. As the director of research and learning at Creative Generation, he managed over 50 groundbreaking projects at the intersection of arts, youth, and civic engagement, working with global stakeholders from numerous professional sectors to increase field-building and support arts learning initiatives. Campbell is also the founder and cochair of the Small Town America Institute for Rural Arts & Culture.
Campbell aims to further contribute to the field through rigorous research, innovative leadership, and transformative impact as a current Ph.D. candidate in arts administration at the University of Kentucky.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Jeremy Andrew Davis
Jeremy Andrew Davis is a multi-hyphenate writer and film director, disability activist and representation consultant, entrepreneur, and social media content creator.
Davis’s mission is to transform disability representation, shaping the cultures of tomorrow through the stories told today. He works to create and educate through nuance, weaving humor and joy through the sharing of adversities people with disabilities face.
As the CEO and founder of Wondrous Horizons, Jeremy’s content has garnered over 150 million career views and 2,500 years of cumulative watch time. His work has been awarded as a LinkedIn Top Voice of Disability advocacy, with clients among the top brands and nonprofits in the world, including Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Haley Moss
Haley Moss is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, and the author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. She is a speaker and consultant to top corporations and organizations that seek her guidance in creating an inclusive workplace, and a sought-after commentator on disability rights issues. The first openly autistic lawyer in Florida, Moss’s books include Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals (ABA Book Publishing, June 2021) and The Young Autistic Adult’s Independence Handbook (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, November 2021). Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company.
About the ABLE Conversation Symposium
The ABLE Conversation symposium is an exceptional professional development opportunity in the field of arts education and individuals with disabilities, bringing together educators, artists, researchers, policymakers, school administrators, program administrators, and students to share best practices, explore new research, and learn from each other. The symposium includes presentations, performances, and opportunities for facilitated discussion. We aim to move the conversation in the field forward, and we want you to join us.
Clips of the introductory remarks and the discussion panel from the 2021 ABLE Conversation symposium can be viewed below.