Be Part of the Brave Schools Book Tour

Dr. Isaiah Pickens is hitting the road to launch his new book — and more importantly, to spark a national conversation about what it means to build brave, healing-centered school cultures.

The Brave Schools Book Tour isn’t just about a book — it’s about community, connection, and reimagining what’s possible in education. Through live events, powerful storytelling, and meaningful dialogue, Isaiah will engage educators, leaders, and changemakers on how we move beyond burnout, trauma, and broken systems toward schools rooted in equity, well-being, and relational leadership.

Join us for a stop near you — or RSVP to be part of a virtual event — and help us build a braver future for schools.
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📌 Virtual Webinar – February Kick-Off Event
Brave Schools Start From Within:
How to Build Sustainable Trauma-Informed Teams for the 21st Century
Presenter: Dr. Isaiah Pickens
Event: Free Brave Schools Virtual Webinar
Location: Online (Zoom)
Date: February 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Educators and school systems, and mental health teams are navigating an era of constant disruption — from student mental health needs and educator burnout to community trauma and rapid social change. Schools often respond with short-term fixes, but what they need now is sustainable, in-house capacity to support well-being.

In this webinar, Dr. Isaiah Pickens introduces a trauma-informed, culturally responsive model designed to help schools build internal teams who can lead and sustain this work over time. With real-world insights and strategies from Journey Community Schools, participants will explore a path toward long-term resilience, equity, and educator empowerment.

Participants will leave with:
  • A roadmap for building in-house, trauma-informed leadership teams
  • Strategies to reduce burnout, improve relational trust, and support student engagement
  • An introduction to the Brave Schools Culture Coach model for sustainable school-wide practices

    FEATURING GUEST PANELISTS FROM JOURNEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
📍 Washington, D.C. – George Washington University
Main Event: Brave Schools Book Launch Event
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM ET
Location: Amphitheater, GWU
Join Dr. Isaiah Pickens for the official launch of his forthcoming book, Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practices in Schools: Building a Climate of Compassion (Guilford Press, 2026). The event will feature highlights from the book, a candid discussion on educator and student well-being, and reflections on building more compassionate, resilient school communities.

Educator Round Table: Prioritizing Educator Well-Being
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM ET
Location: Room 309, University Student Center
This energizing, interactive session brings together educators from the DMV area to reflect on the biggest challenges facing schools, share what’s working, and explore practical trauma-informed and culturally responsive (TICR) strategies for strengthening school culture, reducing burnout, and supporting student growth.

Participants will:
  • Engage in a cross-role dialogue on school well-being
  • Learn trauma-informed, culturally responsive strategies
  • Explore next steps with the Brave Schools initiative

Ideal attendees include school and district leaders, student services staff, coaches, and teacher-leaders. Space is limited!
📍 Chicago, IL – NASP Annual Convention
Brave Schools in the 21st Century:
A Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive Roadmap for Mental Health Teams
Presenter: Dr. Isaiah Pickens
Event: NASP Annual Convention
Location: Chicago, IL
Date: February 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM CST
Students and educators are showing signs of trauma in real time — escalating conflict, withdrawal, chronic absenteeism, anxiety, and burnout — as schools navigate diversifying communities, AI disruption, and ongoing fears of violence.

In this session, Dr. Isaiah Pickens explores how school systems can move beyond reactive approaches and build a relationship-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive (TICR) climate.

Participants will leave with:
  • A practical transformation roadmap for school mental health teams
  • Strategies for strengthening relational trust and well-being
  • Insights from Dr. Pickens’ forthcoming book on Brave Schools

Important note: Attendance for this session requires registration for the NASP Annual Convention.
📍 Los Angeles, CA – Details Coming Soon
We're bringing the Brave Schools Book Tour to Southern California! Join Dr. Isaiah Pickens in Los Angeles for an energizing event focused on healing-centered leadership, educator well-being, and trauma-informed practices.
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Check back soon for RSVP info.
Want to be the first to know when details are released?
Drop your email below and we’ll send you updates as soon as the RSVP link and event info are live.
Thank you!
📍 New York City, NY – Details Coming Soon
We're headed to the East Coast! Our NYC stop will feature key insights from Isaiah's book, plus dynamic discussion and strategy-sharing with local educators and leaders.
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Check back soon for RSVP info.
Want to be the first to know when details are released?
Drop your email below and we’ll send you updates as soon as the RSVP link and event info are live.
Thank you!
📍 Washington State – Details Coming Soon
The Brave Schools movement is going Northwest! This event will offer tools and inspiration for building trauma-informed, culturally responsive school communities across the region.
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Check back soon for RSVP info.
Want to be the first to know when details are released?
Drop your email below and we’ll send you updates as soon as the RSVP link and event info are live.
Thank you!
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