"Whether Black girls are being overrepresented, misrepresented, underrepresented or not represented at all- the onus of righting and rewriting inaccurate narratives about Black girls too often falls on Black girls. Caroline believes “Black girls have a right and a reason to survive, 'come alive', and thrive in educational spaces, ‘da streets’ and other institutional spaces that try to “steal, kill and destroy” our identities.” -Caroline Bennett ""CarolineInspires"" Bennett is devoted to affirming the lives of Black girls inside AND outside of the academy. Inspired by her realities and dreams she uses spoken word, story-telling and song to express her passion, purpose, and hustle in life which illuminates the lived experiences, narratives and truths of Black girls. As a Black woman, her positionality as a first-generation graduate student pursuing a Master's in Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University on a full-ride scholarship has afforded her a unique “outside-within” status. She privileges the knowledge she possesses in order to write, sing, speak and live as access- bridging a gap for the communities she writes with, for and to. " "CarolineInspires" Bennett is devoted to affirming the lives of Black girls inside AND outside of the academy. Inspired by her realities and dreams her passion, purpose, and hustle in life illuminates the lived experiences of Black girls and their truths. She uses spoken word, story-telling and song as tools of liberation and resistance to join with Black girls who have been silenced by their past and/or paralyzed by their fear. As a Black woman, her status as a first-generation graduate student pursuing a Master's in Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University on a full-ride scholarship has afforded her a unique “outside-within” status. Caroline acknowledges how her journey to self has been far from easy yet it has been more than worth it and beautiful. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Intentionally utilizes the vehicles of spoken word, song, research and story-telling to challenge education stakeholders' "un"conscious investment in Eurocentric pedagogy and culturally incompetent restorative practices and its' contribution to Black students' traumatic experiences in K-12 public and charter school classrooms. Born and raised in North Tulsa, Caroline Bennett is a two-time loan and debt-free first generation black girl graduate of higher education. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s degree from Ohio State University. #Hoodid & #Hooded, and yet, she has been intentional about her work inside and outside of academic spaces. Her work has centered around the experiences and voices of inner-city youth, particularly Black girls. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Forrest Street Consulting invited Caroline to moderate their Planning Your Next – Student Edition panel during their annual leadership conference.

Brown Girls Mentoring invited Caroline to emcee and serve as a workshop facilitator for their annual girls' conference.

The Commission on Black Girls invited Caroline to be the keynote speaker.

Eryn Pink and ICE Mentors Inc. invited Caroline to emcee their annual financial literacy conference.

Education Foundation for Freedom invited Caroline to be the Education Lunch & Learn workshop facilitator.

Lincoln Park Elementary School invited Caroline to emcee and facilitate a Lunch & Learn session.