John Hale, Ph.D.
Jon Hale's research focuses on the history of student and teacher activism, grassroots
educational programs, and segregated high schools during the civil rights movement.
His award-winning book, The Freedom Schools: A History of Student Activists on the
Frontlines of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement (Columbia University Press, 2016)
examines the role of educational activism during the Civil Rights Movement. He is
a co-editor of The Freedom School Newspapers: Writings, Essays and Reports from Student
Activists During the Civil Rights Movement, (University Press of Mississippi, 2015).
His current book projects focus on the history of southern black high school student
activism after the Second World War and the history of the school choice reform movement.
His research has been published in history and education journals, including the Journal
of African American History, the History of Education Quarterly, The Journal of Southern
History, South Carolina Historical Magazine, and the Journal of Social Studies Research.
He has also published editorials and commentary pieces in The Atlantic, CNN, Education
Week, the African American Intellectual History Series, and Process: A Blog for American.
His research was also referenced in interviews with The New Yorker, CNN, the Associated
Press, “This Morning” (ABC), PBS, and California and South Carolina Public Radio.
Hale has worked with PBS as a consultant for Stanley Nelson’s documentary, Freedom
Summer, as well as the Grammy-nominated Two Trains Runnin’, which was produced by
award-winning author and filmmaker Benjamin Hedin. Hale currently serves as an advisory
board member of the Charleston Freedom School, co-director of the Quality Education
Project, co-director and co-founder of the Charleston Civil Rights Film Fest, and
a board member of the Southern Initiative of the Algebra Project.