Urban Literacies

Urban Literacies showcases cutting-edge perspectives on urban education and language and literacy by respected junior and senior scholars, researchers, and teacher educators. The authors explore—through various theoretical orientations and diverse methodologies—meanings of urban education in the lives of students and their families across three intersecting areas of research: 1) family and community literacies, 2) teaching and teacher education, and 3) popular culture, digital media, and forms of multimodality.

This important volume:

• Extends the focus on “literacy” to include multiple settings and forms, as well as multiple voices and perspectives.
• Serves as a model of critical research and an extension of mentoring relationships and collaborative engagements.
• Includes a “Critical Perspective” section at the end of each chapter in which authors discuss implications, practices, strategies, and recommendations for improving literacy instruction.

Valerie Kinloch is associate professor in literacy studies in the School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Her most recent book is Harlem on Our Minds: Place, Race, and the Literacies of Urban Youth. She received the 2025 AERA Scholars of Color Distinguished Career Contribution Award.

“We are inspired by the scholars in this historic volume who are paving new groundwork for empowering literacies in schools and communities.”
—From the Foreword by Arnetha F. Ball, Stanford University, and Carol D. Lee, Northwestern University

“Kinloch delivers on her promise of ‘theoretically rich and practically sound chapters’ with new research by outstanding scholars, new insights into urban schools and communities, and new recommendations that ring of truth and hope.”
—JoBeth Allen, University of Georgia

2018 NCTE Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award