Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students

by Afrika Afeni Mills

"Afrika Afeni Mills’ book fills an important gap in the arena of diversity, equity and inclusion. Most books are focused on the needs of children of color, but she helps us understand why White students need to build their cultural competence if we are to truly have a society that is bias-free. If you’re a White educator or parent, this book will help you to let go of the things that no longer serve you, and to teach your students to embrace those things that will help create welcoming environments where all feel a sense of belonging."

—Zaretta Hammond
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor

Equip your students—and yourself—to grapple with racial identity and crucial questions about race.

As antiracist educators, we strive to create learning environments where White-identifying students learn to shift from centering their own racial identity to recognizing the histories, perspectives, and experiences of others. How do we make that vision a reality?

In Open Windows, Open Minds , transformational educator Afrika Afeni Mills explores why racial identity work is crucial, especially for White-identifying students and teachers, and shows educators how to use literacy instruction to provide more windows to racial awareness, antiracist thinking, and pro-human action in the classroom. This roadmap for moving from intention to action

Exercises that push educators to examine their own racial identity before facilitating antiracism work with students Prompts that lead educators from deep thinking to instructional planning and implementation Developmentally appropriate teaching strategies for guiding students toward understanding racial identity and engaging in action-oriented learning Tools and resources for navigating challenges, finding allies, and creating partnerships Engaging in anti-bias, antiracist work requires actively thinking, doing, and evolving. Open windows to racial identity and awareness in your students and help create a more inclusive and equitable society.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2022

About the author

Afrika Afeni Mills is an author, educator, spiritual director, speaker, and facilitator whose work lives at the intersections of racial healing, spiritual formation, education, and belonging. She is the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students and the forthcoming Sowing Shalom: Soul-Anchored Practices for Racial Healing and Nurturing the Beloved Community (InterVarsity Press, May 2027).

For more than two decades, Afrika has worked with educators, leaders, and communities to create spaces where people can learn, grow, heal, and belong. She is the founder and CEO of Continental Drift, LLC, teaches and supports preservice educators in higher education, and serves as an instructor with the North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation.

As a trained spiritual director and practitioner of contemplative Christian spirituality, Afrika is particularly interested in what happens when the work of racial healing becomes part of our spiritual formation. She offers spiritual direction through Soul Compass and, through her writing, teaching, retreats, and workshops, invites people to approach difficult questions with courage, curiosity, compassion, and attention to the movement of God.

Afrika’s TED-Ed Talk, “Four Ways to Have Healthy Conversations About Race,” has been viewed more than one million times, and she has spoken and facilitated conversations across the United States.

She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her beloved husband and is the proud mom of two adult children. She loves books, practices that make room for spaciousness and wonder, and remains a Hufflepuff at heart. And if she ever finds herself in the world of Divergent, she’s choosing Amity. No hesitation.