Keynote Address

A San Francisco native, Dr. Ammar Saheli is the Director of Student Support Services for the San Lorenzo Unified School District, CEO of Saheli7 Educational Consulting, pastor of the West Oakland Church of Christ, and author of, Eerie Silence: Race/Racism Explored Across Educational, Theological, and Justice Continuums Amidst America and Beyond.

Dr. Saheli has helped school districts and organizations respond to and resolve Office of Civil Rights complaints related to race, disability, and discrimination. He is passionate and proficient in the conceptions and implementation techniques related to racial equity, racial justice, cultural competence and responsiveness, unconscious/implicit bias, Restorative Practices/Restorative Justice, and instructional strategies related to critical pedagogy and critical consciousness. Dr. Saheli specializes in developing and implementing systems designed to address racial disproportionality, empowerment, and consciousness, while additionally managing the tough and necessary dialogues that are critical to moving systems, organizations, teams, leaders, students, and families beyond the impact of cultural bias and institutional barriers.

Dr. Saheli has a BA in Psychology and Master of Science degree in Counseling, and a Doctorate in International & Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco.