The Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) Presents: 

Talking About Race with Children: How Storytellers can Facilitate Important Conversations

Occurred on August 20, 2020 @12pm

Dr. Allison Briscoe Smith

Dr. Briscoe-Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University. She then received her clinical psychology Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley. She then went on to continue her specialization in trauma and ethnic minority mental health through internship and postdoctoral work at  University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco General Hospital.

She has combined her love of teaching and advocacy by serving as a professor and by directing mental health programs for children experiencing trauma, homelessness or foster care. Much of her work has been with schools, as a clinician, consultant, and trainer.

Currently she is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Wright Institute where she is a professor. She provides consultation and training to Bay Area nonprofits and schools on how to support trauma-informed practices and cultural accountability.

Koyalee Chanda

Koyalee Chanda is a children’s media creative with over 20 years of experience. She is a seven-time Emmy nominated producer and director, starting her career on the breakthrough preschool series Blue’s Clues, which she started directing at age 23.Koyalee is currently the VP of Kids and Animation at Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine. Prior to this role, Koyalee did stints at Netflix Animation and Apple as a production and creative executive. As a Creative and Development Consultant, Koyalee has worked with top kids networks, including HBO Kids and Family, Nickelodeon, Universal Kids and PBS Kids. Past projects include: Co-Executive Producer of Wallykazam! (Nickelodeon); Co-Executive Producer of the pilot for Odd Squad (PBS Kids); Producer/Director of on-air and off-air content for Sesame Street; Voice Director for Nickelodeon’s Emmy-winning series The Backyardigans; and Director of over 30 episodes of Blue’s Clues (Nickelodeon). She is a proud graduate of Wesleyan University and holds a Directing Certificate from NYU.

In collaboration with the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television the Livestream will be recorded and hosted on the CSS website for future viewing.