Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Lyceum Student Seminar
On January 30, students convened in the 20th Street Seminar Room for the inaugural student philosophy honors seminar of the academic year. Led by Pacifica’s Head of School, Jim Knight, the seminar explored the influential yet contrasting leadership philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, two prominent figures in African American history during the post-Reconstruction era.
Through close reading and guided discussions facilitated by Mr. Knight, students delved into Booker T. Washington’s emphasis on vocational training, economic self-reliance, and strategic accommodation, alongside W.E.B. Du Bois’ advocacy for political activism and civil rights. The seminar fostered thoughtful debate as students analyzed how these competing approaches aimed to address the challenges faced by newly emancipated Black Americans at the dawn of the 20th century and their relevance to contemporary issues.
Reflecting on the effectiveness, limitations, and enduring significance of both leaders’ strategies, students drew connections between past and present conversations about leadership, social reform, and justice.
Speaker: Jim Knight
Jim is the Head of School at Pacifica Christian High School. Previous to his work at Pacifica he was an award winning classroom teacher for 14 years and was the Executive Director of the Culver City Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. Knight was the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, the Culver City Unified School District Teacher of the Year, and the Culver City High School Teacher of the Year. He received is Masters Degree in American Studies from Pepperdine University, M.Ed from UCLA and Bachelors Degree in History from UCLA. He specialized in American foreign policy and civil rights. Mr. Knight enjoys the beach, his home away from home in the Swiss Alps, cooking, and all 37 Shakespeare plays. He and his wife Susan have four adult children all of whom attended Pacifica.