Black Educators Matter: Project 500 Podcast

"Literacy is everything." Dr. Duane Davis Literacy Advocate and Public School Advocate https://www.instagram.com/literacyloungepod/ https://bsky.app/profile/literacyloungepod.bsky.social Email us at morelifemorestories@gmail.com "We need to see models and examples of people that look like us." Hello, Season 3! We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Duane Davis back to the Black Educato...

"We are the backbones, we are the nurturers, we are the lovers, we are the teachers." Ayanna Scott Jenkins Middle School Instructional Coach ayanna.s.jenkins@gmail.com http://www.primerica.com/a_jenkins "Without us, the world would be something different." This week, we welcome Ayanna Scott Jenkins, a dedicated middle school instructional coach, to Black Educators Matter. Born and raised in Aurora...

"You are capable and it is possible." Darius Stanley Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership, Author To order his book: https://hep.gse.harvard.edu/9781682538869/blackeducatorsmatter/ "I realized that I don't think they hired me to teach." This week, we are joined by Dr. Darius Stanley, an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Hailing from T...

“You do you.” Chris Chambers Goodman Professor of Law "I really love when I see the light bulb of recognition." This week, we are joined by Professor Chris Chambers Goodman, a distinguished law professor at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Born in Los Angeles and now residing between Switzerland and Malibu, Goodman reflects on her journey from a diverse K-12 experience to becoming a trailblazer in...

“Ms. Stampley was my inspiration…” Barbara Bennett Reading Interventionist, Pre K, K, 1st - 3rd "I had the best teachers."  This week we are joined by Ms. Barbara Bennett, a dedicated reading interventionist with a background in Pre-K - 3. Growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Bennett was highly inspired by her teacher, Ms. Stampley, and experienced the profound impact of having Black e...

“I’m overjoyed that our kids now have these opportunities.” Wil Page Climate Justice 6th Grade Math/Science "It was joyful," says Wil Page, reflecting on his journey as a 6th-grade science teacher with 16 years of experience. Growing up in Los Angeles, he navigated the complexities of being the only biracial child in his class. Inspired by his unapologetically Black kindergarten teacher...

“This is our Selma Bridge.” Dr. Qiana O’Leary https://drqianaoleary.com/ www.minty-es.com "A glorious, glorious journey."  #Shoutout to the storytellers. This week, we sit with Dr. Qiana O'Leary, CEO, Founder, and Owner of Minty Educational Services, as she reflects on moments of joy and pain throughout her 27-year career. Starting as an instructional aide and now an assistant profes...

Dante Plush Director of Youth Engagement, Comedian IG: @DanteFlush   “We need to address these educational barriers that are stopping our kids outside of school from getting a good education inside of school.” “What is there to be scared of?”  Dante Flush, Director of Youth Engagement, says he has the best job in the world as he supports and listens to changemakers every day and works to reject su...

“We aren’t looking for allies… we are looking for co-conspirators…” Cecily My-art Cruz 6th and 7th English Teacher, President, United Teachers Los Angeles https://utla.net/contacts/cecily-myart-cruz/ “All I knew was Black educators showing us Black excellence on a daily basis.” In this episode, we had the honor of speaking with Cecily My-art Cruz, a passionate educator and president of United Teac...

“I feel like I found my revolution in teaching.” Rodney Powell School Principal, Founder EdArchy “I want to see free kids have free thoughts.” "In education, we have the power to construct freedom," shares Mr. Rodney Powell, a school principal and founder of EdArchy, as he reflects on his journey and vision for education. His path into education was not conventional, but driven by a deep...

“We have yet to reckon with the influence of racism and white supremacy in all of our spaces, but especially schools.”  Dr. Daman Harris Manager of Higher Education Partnerships, Co-Director BOND Project, Author www.damanharris.com Bondeducators.org Book: The Antiracist School Leader “There have always been people around me that poured into me.” In this enlightening episode, we dive into the journ...

“Each generation has to make sure that the next generation does better.” Dr. Don Parker Educational Keynote Speaker, Author, Former Administrator, Dean and Educator https://drdonparker.com/about/ “I absolutely knew what I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted my future to look like." #Shoutout to the PE Teachers! As a Black male educator, author, speaker, and coach, Dr. Don Parker has carved out...

“Education is like a game, there are rules to the game. Black children, often time, are not given the rulebook.“ Dr. Tracee Perryman CEO / CoFounder of Center of Hope Family Services, Author https://cohfs.org/ “I became energized by teaching children how to learn, how to think.” Dr. Tracee Perryman, CEO/Co-Founder of Center of Hope Family Services, shares her journey and passion for education. Rai...

“Being an educator is a lifestyle.” Tierra Jones Classroom Teacher (Spanish, World History), Paraprofessional “I get those kids because I was that kid.” Ms. Tierra Jones, a classroom teacher and paraprofessional, emphasizes the significance of representation in education, recognizing her own journey from a skeptical student to a dedicated educator. With quotes like "I am a teacher" and &...

“My philosophy is to leave people better, coach them to a new level.” Coach Carlos Johnson https://carlosjohnson.org/ "True educating will not start, can not start, until you’ve created an environment for healthy relationships to foster.” Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, with over two decades of experience, Coach Carlos Johnson adeptly bridges the worlds of business and education, advocating f...

“Support the arts… the arts make life worth living.” Dr. Carolyn Sebron, Opera Singer, Educator www.youtube.com/@carolynsebron5567 "Our lives are not restricted to the borders of this country." Step into the vibrant world of Dr. Carolyn Sebron, a renowned opera singer and dedicated educator, as she unveils the transformative power of music and education. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ca...

“Get Curious” Abdel Shakur 15th year English Teacher, Podcast Host https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-teacher-matters/id1542560174 "The essence of humanity…" #Shoutout to the power of our stories. Abdel Shakur is an English teacher with over 15 years of experience, and is the host of the Black Teacher Matters podcast. As he reflects on his educational voyage, he realizes the tre...

“I know I love to read and I know we need to cultivate that in students.” Cynthia Cobb HR Generalist, Training and Development Storytime Anytime 4U "School was part of our family DNA." This week, we engage with Ms. Cynthia Cobb, a nontraditional guest with a rich background in human resources and training and development. Through reflecting on her educational experiences, both inside and...

“We have to leave space for how are you, really? Are you well?” Dr. Asia Lyons CEO, Lyons Educational Consulting Co-Host, The Exit Interview Podcast Co-Facilitator, Black Educator Wellness Cohort “Our stories need to be shared, our perspectives need to be shared. We belong in all places.” In this week’s compelling episode, we speak with Dr. Asia Lyons, CEO of Lyons Educational Consulting, co-facil...

The Triple C Affect “The world doesn’t really respond to them the way that we do.” Henry Caudle - 7th Grade Special Education Math Teacher Robert Chatmon - 12th Grade Economics Teacher Dr. Aaron Carter Jr - Principal, US History Teacher (23 years) https://www.thetriplecaffect.com/ “Tough love has been out since 2010. There is no tough love if they don’t love you.” In this wonderful conversation, f...

“Other people see our value… but we don’t…” Young Ladies at all Times Sherri Simmons www.youngladiesatalltimes.com Assistant Principal, Nonprofit Founder and President, Elementary School Teacher, STEAM Instructional Coach "The education system is designed for us to fail." Embark on a transformative journey with Ms. Sherri Simmons, an educational leader and founder of a nonprofit, as she...

“Take educator skill sets into the community to thrive in different ways.” Kendra Nalubega-Booker Educator, K-12, Higher Ed, Author, Executive Leader in Tech Company https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Culturally-Inclusive-Teaching-Anti-racist/dp/1956512306 https://www.instagram.com/becoming.dr.booker/ "We’re going to co-create together" In this week’s compelling episode, we speak with Kendra...

*Trigger warning, mental health* “Working with kids gave me purpose.” Donovan Taylor Hall Youth Development Specialist https://www.instagram.com/donofriend/ “Kids need people to invest in them so they can learn to invest in themselves.” Oh the joys of a healing journey. This episode, we are joined by Mr. Donovan Taylor Hall, affectionately known as Donofriend. After a tumultuous educational experi...

"TSU saved my life." Dionne Cooley Computer Science Teacher “My worry is for those students like me, at predominately white schools…”  #Shoutout to Tennessee State University! This week, Ms. Dionne Cooley, a Computer Science teacher with 16 years of experience, takes us on a walk down memory lane through her educational and career journey. Originating from St. Louis, MO, she experienced...

“Every Black child deserves the future representation of their manifestation.” Nadia Benett School Turnaround Strategist, K-12 schools When Brown Girls Lead - https://www.nadiabennett.com/ "I believe when more Black and Brown educators are given the opportunity to lead, schools in communities of color thrive." In this impactful episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Nadia Bennett...