U of M Social Studies professor named to Cultural Jambalaya’s Board of Directors

J.B. Mayo, Jr., associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota, has been named to the board of directors of Cultural Jambalaya.  Mayo’s work focuses on diversity, social justice, and multicultural teaching and learning within the social studies.

Edina-based Cultural Jambalaya is a national award-winning nonprofit that uses photography to promote understanding and respect for all cultures.  Cultural Jambalaya’s one-of-a-kind “Windows & Mirrors” educational series is a teaching tool in the classroom to broaden world views of students, while breaking down cultural barriers. The organization has produced videos on the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America, and are offered without charge online at www.CulturalJam.org.  The “Windows & Mirrors” series is produced by Twin Cities-based Tremendous! Entertainment, creator and producer of Travel Channel’s hit series, “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.” 

Mayo received a B.A. in History, M.T. in Social Studies and M.A. in American History from the University of Virginia; and his Ph.D. in Social Science Education from the University of South Florida.  His published articles on social studies education have appeared in top-tier education and social studies journals including: Educational Researcher, Theory & Research in Social Education, the Journal of Social Studies Research, Multicultural Perspectives, The Social Studies and the Journal of International Social Studies.

Mayo is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA), Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS), National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), International Assembly (IA), the Serpentine Society, and the International Society for the Social Studies (ISSS).  Mayo lives in the Dayton’s Bluff area of St. Paul.

Other Cultural Jambalaya board members include Grayce Belvedere Young, president of Lily Pad; Colleen Needles, president of Tremendous! Entertainment; Christine Fruechte, president of Colle + McVoy;  Rayla Allison, associate director, School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota;  Pat Brenna, president of Bizgal;  James Peterson, Twin Cities event planner;  Jennifer Roubal, accountant at Divine, Scherzer & Brody, Ltd.;  Jan Hertel, global studies educator; and Gail Shore, president of Shore to Shore Communications, Inc.