Mavis Sanders is the senior research scholar of Black children and families at Child Trends. We talked with her to learn about her research, both at Child Trends and earlier in her career, and to find out more about her life outside of work.

Can you tell us about your primary research interests?

My primary research interest is studying the roles of schools, families, and community partners in improving educational outcomes for Black children and adolescents. For the past 10 years, I have examined factors that influence the implementation of school, family, and community partnerships within the context of full-service community schools (FSCSs). It is gratifying to continue this work as more attention is being directed toward FSCSs, but I am really excited to develop a broader research agenda on Black children and families in my new role at Child Trends.

What sparked your interest in education and improving educational outcomes for Black children?

I became an educator because I loved school and valued the skills transmitted through formal education. My favorite subjects in grade school were reading and language arts (going to the library was a Saturday ritual in my home) and math (I won my first trophy at a citywide math competition in 8th grade). My interests flipped in college after I took my first political science course and became enamored with the social sciences. The critical literacy and numeracy skills I gained through formal schooling were liberating; they diminished the social constraints placed on me as a Black woman.