The College of Education is hosting a lecture Tuesday by Joy Lawson Davis, the director of the Center for Gifted Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, titled “Culturally Diverse Gifted Students: Coming out from Under.”

“Her audience would be anyone who interested in the gifted education of a culturally diverse student population,” Rebecca Ballard, Capstone Education Society coordinator, said. “That would include teachers, students, educators, administrators [and] counselors.”

Davis is an assistant professor of education in curriculum and instruction. She will be the Curtis Distinguished Lecturer for the 22nd James P. Curtis Lecture as part of the University’s “Through the Doors” celebration of the 50th anniversary of integration.

Ballard said the lecture will be based on Davis’s award-winning book, “Bright, Talented, & Black: A Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners” published in 2011.

This lecture is a part of a series created to discuss contemporary education issues in honor of James P. Curtis, a professor of administration and educational leadership as well as assistant dean of the bureau of educational services and research.

Davis was raised during the civil rights era, a time of school segregation and racism. She has focused her work in raising awareness to the needs of culturally diverse gifted students.

Ballard said students are encouraged to attend the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.

Davis has worked in gifted education for more than 30 years and earned her masters and doctorate degrees from The College of William & Mary in Virginia. She now serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Diversity & Equity Committee.

The lecture will take place Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m. in Woodis-McDonald Auditorium in Graves Hall.

“I can tell you that she is super excited to be coming to UA,” Ballard said.