Knowledge Communities

Knowledge Communities are community spaces where knowledge is shared and produced in collaboration with others.

Co-led by a Wake Forest University faculty member and a community leader, Knowledge Communities are framed around topics that are centrally important to both our city and the academic interests of WFU faculty: environmental justice, immigration/refugee resettlement, and education. These communities are funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Events are free and open to the public.

Sound Interesting?

Look into joining a Knowledge Community, or see what they have planned.

Learn More

    Current Knowledge Communities

  • Environmental Justice

    The Environmental Justice Knowledge Community champions inclusion, equity, and democratic power sharing as integral to a community that is environmentally just. It welcomes participants of all backgrounds committed to producing actions responsive to community needs.

    Leaders: Marcus Hill (Community Member) and Dr. Rowena Kirby-Straker (WFU Faculty)

  • Immigration/Refugee Resettlement

    The Immigration/Refugee Resettlement Knowledge Community is about discourses and practices of immigration, including but not limited to the migrant and refugee community in and around Winston-Salem. It seeks to gather migrants, refugees, newcomers, long-term residents, advocates, and community partners to address local issues and work together on events and activities that allow listening and learning about immigration.

    Leaders: Shereen Abdelfattah (Community Member) and Dr. Alessandra Von Burg (WFU Faculty)

  • Education Equity

    The Education Equity Knowledge Community convenes parents, educators, and scholars who are motivated to ask broad questions about our education system by centering the experiences of parents of minoritized students. Through thoughtful conversations and resources it works to build capacity for parent-led educational equity across the community.

    Leaders: Renai Wisley (Community Member) and Dr. Dani Parker-Moore

Proposals for Knowledge Communities around new themes are currently being accepted.

Knowledge Communities receive modest funding, including a stipend for community-member leaders. They must meet at least monthly and leaders are expected to work to bring together diverse members from Wake Forest University and the broader Winston-Salem Community. 

Submit A Proposal

Want to get involved but don’t know where to start? We’ll answer any questions you have.

Contact Shelley Sizemore

Office of Civic and Community Engagement

Benson University Center, Room 506
Phone: 336-758-4070
Email: communityengagement@nullwfu.edu