Principles and Practices of an Equity-Focused Educator

Steve Becton has been with Facing History since 2001 where he first began serving as a Program Associate supporting teachers in the Memphis, Tennessee area.  

Steve now heads our Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and assures that our organization’s programs, policies, and culture align with current diversity, equity, and inclusion best-practices. He leads a team of Facing History staff who are working deeply in schools to create whole school culture and transformational educational experiences that would equip educators, while also empowering students to overcome the systemic issues that have placed them at risk. In addition to leading our DEIB initiatives, Steve supports regional operations including fundraising, district partnerships, and local implementation of strategies. This work happens in collaboration with all chief officers to ensure regional alignment across all initiatives. 

Steve writes and speaks for Facing History on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging issues in and beyond the classroom. He presents at conferences, writes, and conducts workshops and webinars for educators and for the larger community centered on having courageous conversations about race and education.

Before joining Facing History, Steve was an educator teaching high school social studies for 11 years. He was recognized as a leader among educators, earning Junior Achievement’s State Teacher of the Year Award in 2005.

Becton has a BA in Economics from Rhodes College, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, and an advanced certificate in Urban Education.  He has an earned doctorate from The University of Memphis with a focus on the historical construct of race and its impact on school equity.