Research to Develop an Africentric Recognition of Prior Learning Project

DBDLI is leading an Africentric framed research project which will support development and implementation of an Africentric RPL Framework which will support adult learners of African descent in communities across Nova Scotia to successfully transition into post secondary learning or the workforce/meaningful employment. Partly, the goal of this work is to expand the learners’ awareness and valuing of their cultural and community context(s) and its imprint on their unique skills, competence and experience.

Taking an Africentric approach, the project will draw out resiliency practices and cross-reference theory (literature reviews, oral narratives, quantitative and qualitative research as well as knowledge translation) to co-create products. This work involves centering lived experience of adult learners of African descent, and addressing issues with strengths as the starting point.

“We are proud of this research project and its focus to centre African Nova Scotian voices and participation from the African Nova Scotian community to support our collective success.” said Dr. George Frempong, Director of Research at DBDLI. “Supporting adult learners of African descent and reassessing experiences is integral to ensuring success for our learners down the road. We encourage as many qualified adult learners as possible to participate.”

The multiphase initiative will involve organization partners such as the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Inspiring Communities to support application of learning and evaluation, respectively. Inspiring Communities is a leader in Developmental Evaluation (DE) in Nova Scotia. Inspiring Communities is currently developing an Evaluation Learning Pathway, which will build the evaluation capacity of members of African Nova Scotian community members who want to learn about evaluation, and incorporate the use of Africentric tools and methodologies into evaluation practices.

“We are pleased to be connected to and supporting this work through evaluation and learning which are woven throughout our work. Through our DE capacity building work and our internal learning practices, we are also building receptivity for DE and creating a culture of evaluation and learning in the province and beyond. said Louise Adongo, Executive Director of Inspiring Communities. “Supporting adult learners of African descent in reframing and reassessing experiences is integral to shaping and evolving identity and longer-term success in labour force attachment and future outcomes in the life journey.”

“I’m very excited to be a lead in this work and our team looks forward to hearing from community.” Said Rajean Willis, Project Manager.

“DBDLI has been at the forefront in promoting Africentricity and is recognized as a leading provincial and national center of knowledge and research on Africentric theories and practices that improve educational outcomes and inform policy about African Canadian/Nova Scotian learners,” said Sylvia Parris-Drummond, CEO for DBDLI. “We have a wonderful research team engaged in collaborations with multiple universities and with the NSCC. It makes perfect sense for us to lead such an important project as this one.”

This phase and the larger Africentric RPL Framework will provide a better support system for including adult learners of African descent in “building a competitive workforce.”

To learn more about the RPL project and how to participate, adult learners can contact Dr. George Frempong by email at george.frempong [at] dbdli [dot] ca.

Kevin Harrison, Community Engagement & PR Coordinator, DBDLI
kevin.harrison [at] dbdli [dot] ca
902-407-3200 ext. 202