Forgotten Blocks

In this powerful episode of The Forgotten Blocks Podcast, host Quibila Divine sits down with Jennifer Pitt, Executive Director of the ELECT Program at the School District of Philadelphia. Together, they dive deep into how schools can support pregnant and parenting teens—offering resources that help young families succeed both in the classroom and in life. From free diapers and car seats to flexibl...

In this episode of The Forgotten Blocks Podcast, host Quibila Divine delves into the pressing issues facing low-income communities. She is joined by Joe Willard from HopePHL, a dedicated advocate working to address systemic challenges like education inequality, homelessness, food insecurity, health disparities, and incarceration. Together, they discuss solutions to uplift underserved communities a...

In this episode of the Forgotten Blocks Podcast, hosts Quibila Divine and Allegra Simms are joined by Akil Parker, author of "How to Use All This Math." They discuss the crucial role of math education in empowering underserved communities. Parker shares his journey from being a high school math teacher to starting his tutoring business, "All This Math," emphasizing the importance of a conceptual u...

Join us on this episode of the Forgotten Blocks podcast as we sit down with Principal Bahir Hayes, a distinguished Lindback Award winner from the School District of Philadelphia. Principal Hayes opens up about his personal and professional journey, discussing how his early experiences have shaped his commitment to providing better educational opportunities for students. Hayes also delves into his...

Join hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms and their very special guest, Dr. Tony Watlington, the dynamic superintendent of the Philadelphia School District. From his humble beginnings as a first-generation college graduate to his current role leading one of the nation’s largest school districts, Dr. Watlington's journey is nothing short of inspiring. We dive into his personal passions and explore...

In this special episode of Forgotten Blocks, co-host Quibila Divine explores the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and its impact on low-income students and their families. Quibila highlights the importance of parental engagement, their right to information, and the role of community collaboration in education. 

Join hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms as they have a special guest, Dr. Sonya Douglas to discuss her impactful book, "Learning in a Burning House: Educational Inequality, Ideology, and (Dis)Integration." In this heartfelt exchange, Dr. Douglass sheds light on the enduring disparities within the U.S. education system, particularly in the context of race and inequality. She underscores the crit...

Join hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms as they discuss revitalizing Philadelphia's schools and communities with special guest Tomás Hanna, Associate Superintendent at The School District of Philadelphia. As Tomás recounts the often overlooked narratives of our city's youth, we're reminded that every block, no matter how forgotten, has a story worth telling—and a future worth fighting for. Join...

Join hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms as they delve into the crucial legal battle for equitable funding in Pennsylvania's schools. With special guest Deborah Gordon Klehr, Executive Director at the Education Law Center, they will unpack the complexities of this pivotal lawsuit and its potential to revolutionize education in the state. 

Join hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms on a heartfelt episode of the Forgotten Blocks podcast as they explore the inspiring story of the Simms family and their youth programs in Philadelphia. With special guests Allegra and La’Skeetia Simms, discover how this remarkable family is bridging educational gaps, nurturing mentorship, and uniting communities through engaging workshops and hands-on le...

In this episode of The Forgotten Blocks, hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms discuss the impact of parental involvement in education with Allegra and La’Skeetia Simms from the Parent Leaders Advisory Network (The PLAN). The sisters share their personal experiences and the importance of parents engaging in their children's learning. They highlight the challenges faced by families and the support...

Meet the Forgotten Blocks podcast hosts Quibila Divine and Sylvia Simms as they give you an introduction to the podcast. Hear about who they are, why they started the podcast, what the Forgotten Blocks are, and help you understand their mission and what they're all about.