April Baker-Bell

Dr. April Baker-Bell is an Associate Professor in the Marsal Family School of Education at the University of Michigan, specializing in Language, Culture, and Justice in Education. A Detroit Public Schools alumna and former high school English teacher, her work focuses on dismantling anti-Black linguistic racism and advancing antiracist pedagogies through Black Language advocacy. She leads a Mellon Foundation-funded initiative to develop antiracist medical curricula addressing systemic bias in healthcare institutions.

Education Background:

• Graduate of Detroit Public Schools Community District
• PhD in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies

Research Interests:

Her research intersects Black Language studies, antiracist education, and healthcare equity. She has pioneered the concept of Anti-Black Linguistic Racism, advocating for pedagogies that center Black linguistic identity. Her award-winning book Linguistic Justice provides practical frameworks for educators to implement antiracist language practices.

Key Projects:

• Mellon Foundation-funded healthcare curriculum project
• Development of Black Language Pedagogy instructional maps

Awards:

• 2023 Charles Carpenter Fries Award
• 2021 New Directions Fellowship
• 2020 George Orwell Award
• 2018 AERA Early Career Scholar Award

Grants & Collaborations:

Recipient of over $2M in grants including Mellon Foundation and MSU Community Engagement awards. Collaborates with healthcare scholars in the College of Human Medicine and African American Studies departments.

Labs/Teams:

Core member of the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice (formerly at MSU). Leads interdisciplinary teams in the Joint Program in English and Education.