The Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) invites you to join us for the latest installment of the MRISJ Civic Speaker Series on Thursday, November 18th from 4:30-5:45 pm for the virtual conversation: Using Creative Arts to Spark Civic Action for Youth.

The conversation, moderated by Dr. Sheena Manuel, Assistant Professor of Special Education, will feature a discussion with Peter and Paul Reynolds, co-founders of FableVision and developers of the learning game, Civics! An American Musical.

FableVision is a social change agency and multi-media production studio that designs and develops engaging media and interactives that inspire, teach, and move people to action.  Peter & Paul will discuss their local civic-focused work, the creation of FableVision and the impact it has made on communities and people of all ages.

About the Speakers

Paul Reynolds

Paul Reynolds is the CEO and Co-Founder of Boston-based FableVision, which partners with other mission-based organizations to create and distribute original educational media, mobile games and apps designed to move the world to a better place.  He also oversees Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity - Reynolds TLC - a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering purposeful, creative human potential around the globe.

Paul is also an award-winning children’s book author - creating stories about creativity and innovation.  His story book about the 4Cs entitled Going Places is illustrated by his twin brother Peter H. Reynolds, and recently won the Library of Congress MassBook Award for Best Picture Book of the Year.  The pair also created the STEAM-Powered Adventures of Sydney & Simon book series for early readers, which features twin mice who love creative problem solving and STEAM learning. Paul has also been teaching creative media production and digital storytelling at Boston College for over 20 years.

Peter H. Reynolds

Peter H. Reynolds is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator. Published in over 25 languages, his books The Dot, Ish, The Word Collector, and Say Something!, among others, inspire children and “grown up children” with Peter's messages about authentic learning, creativity, bravery, empathy, and courageous self-expression. Peter illustrated the best-selling I Am series and The Water Princess by Susan Verde and the Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald. His most recent collaboration Peace Train with Cat Stevens reached the New York Times best-seller list in the first week of release. His media company FableVision produces award-winning interactive applications and his educational company FableVision Learning produces applications to inspire creativity in the classroom. Peter and his twin brother Paul launched the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity (TLC), a not-for-profit organization that encourages creativity and innovation in teaching and learning. He lives in the Boston area where he founded The Blue Bunny, a family-owned and operated children’s book, toy & creativity store.

Dr. Sheena Manuel

Dr. Sheena Manuel is an assistant professor of Special Education at Bridgewater State University. Prior to BSU, Sheena spent seven years advocating for and teaching blind students across the north central/I20 corridor of Louisiana for Louisiana Tech University’s Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness. Sheena’s research interests include teacher candidates’ dispositions toward specific marginalized populations, blindness education, and social justice. In her spare time, Sheena enjoys spending time with her family, dancing in the park, and writing children’s stories and adult journals.

Registrations are closed

Civic Speaker Series: Using Creative Arts to Spark Civic Action for Youth