Kamilah B. Legette

Kamilah B. Legette is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Denver, affiliated with the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. She directs the Reducing Inequities in Student Education (R.I.S.E.) Lab, focusing on how racial biases in schools affect academic and social outcomes for racially minoritized youth. Her interdisciplinary research aims to inform interventions, policy changes, and teacher training to address systemic inequities.

She holds a BA from Spelman College, an MA from UNC Charlotte, and a Ph.D. from UNC Greensboro in Human Development and Family Studies. Her work emphasizes transformative social-emotional learning (TSEL) to counteract anti-Black racism in education. Key themes include student-teacher relationships, racial literacy in educator training, and dismantling oppressive school policies.

Legette’s research highlights how racial discrimination shapes Black students’ experiences, advocating for humanizing educational practices. Her recent publications explore SEL competencies, systemic racism in discipline practices, and culturally attuned interventions.

Her professional contributions include NIH-funded postdoctoral work and collaborations on equity-focused education initiatives. The R.I.S.E. Lab serves as a platform for applied research and community engagement to advance equitable schooling environments.