Leana Cabral

About Leana Cabral

Dr. Leana Cabral is a Senior Consultant with RFA. With a background in sociology and education, she brings extensive experience conducting research in schools and in out-of-school programs. Her areas of expertise include educator diversity as well as Black teacher and Black student experiences. Dr. Cabral has developed a portfolio of participatory action research (PAR) methodological approaches that center the expertise and experiences of those who are closest to the site of inquiry but have been traditionally excluded. She has co-directed a national PAR project with Black teacher-researchers from five cities around the country.  She also supported projects that include a community-engaged research approach. Dr. Cabral is committed to drawing on community members’ strengths as partners rather than solely “subjects” in research—as a critical step in transformational and positive social change. Previously, Dr. Cabral worked in the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Education and in the out-of-school time space in Philadelphia and New York City.