Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III

The inaugural paper of the Foundation for Child Development’s Scholars of Color Series, The Timeless Contributions of Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III: Scholar, Educator, Psychologist, Historian, honors the transformative scholarship of Dr. Asa Grant Hilliard III. A pioneering figure in education, psychology, and curriculum development, Dr. Hilliard reshaped how educators and researchers understand intelligence, learning, and the developmental experiences of Black children.

Dr. Hilliard’s work challenges us to rethink how intelligence is defined, measured, and nurtured. He questioned the widespread use of IQ and standardized assessments, arguing that the field lacked a clear definition of “intelligence” and that many tests reflected cultural biases rather than children’s true abilities. Because these assessments could not validly or fairly capture the cognitive capacities of children from diverse backgrounds, Hilliard called for tools that reflect children’s strengths, identities, and lived experiences.

He advocated for supporting educators as a pathway to educational equity, equipping them to understand the social, historical, and cultural contexts that shape children’s development and affirming that all children are capable of excellence. He promoted teaching and assessment practices that honor children’s lived realities rather than imposing deficit-based assumptions.

Today, Dr. Hilliard’s work remains profoundly relevant. As an unwavering champion of social justice for children, he advanced teacher preparation, reimagined assessment practices, and promoted culturally grounded pedagogy in early learning. His legacy inspires a new generation to push for educational equity and to pursue research, policy, and practice that affirm the humanity, brilliance, and potential of every child.

Suggested citation: Harper Browne, C., Rashid, H., & Young, J. C. (2024). The timeless contributions of Asa Grant Hilliard III: Scholar, educator, psychologist, historian. Foundation for Child Development. https://www.fcd-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Timeless-Contributions-of-Asa-GrantHilliard-III.pdf