Black Educators Matter: Project 500 Podcast

https://m.facebook.com/ProfRockCelebration/ “Because we are doing things totally different now, we have to have a new vision for how we approach things.” Professor Rock Lherisson Literature, ELA, Creative Writing, Special Education IG: @ProfessorRock1 https://www.profrocklherisson.com/ “The story of African American history is more of a story of power.” From his childhood growing up in a Haitian A...

“Teachers are the foundation of everything that is.” Ms. Terri Hunt, K-8, gifted education, literacy, writing Terri Teaches , The Write Space “We have released our authority to people who don’t teach truth.” #Shoutout to all the Black mothers! On this week’s episode, we are joined by Ms. Terri Hunt, who walks us through her educational experience as a Black student growing up in Utah (and the pain...

“If you invest in your community, you automatically invest in yourself.” Mr. Demetrius Heard, Music Teacher (K-8) Mr. Demetrius Heard's Youtube Channel “It was THAT powerful… people are still talking about it… I can go on and on talking about the work that my kids do.” Once Mr. Demetrius Heard recognized that he had the same presence as his father and grandfather, and reflected on the impact his B...

“That’s where I saw all types of Black male teachers who were really instrumental in me deciding that I wanted to become a teacher.” Dr. William McHenry, English Teacher Dr. William McHenry joins us today to share his journey into the classroom. After a nudge from his internship manager to pursue education instead of law, he’s spent the last 20 years supporting Black and Brown students in Chicago....

“Their names changed, their identity didn’t.” Joycelyn Davis, Preschool Teacher, Elementary School Special Education Assistant, Organizer - Clotilda Descendants Association www.theclotildastory.com “The focus was on the ship and not the people.” On this week’s episode, we are joined by educator and organizer, Ms. Joycelyn Davis. As a member of the Clotilda Descendants Association, Joycelyn speaks...

“I like what I do, but more importantly, I like who I do it for.” Ms. Alycia Worthy, Career Technical Education / Health Science Teacher “In all of my life, I have had one Black teacher. In the 2nd grade. Ms. Jones.” After reflecting on her career journey into the classroom, and her personal experiences with race as a student, Ms. Alycia Worthy’s episode demonstrates why Black Educators Matter. Wh...

“I had to tell her how thankful I was for her.” Samantha Davis, Special Education Teacher “There are so many kids who get left behind.” California native Ms. Samantha Davis has spent 17 years supporting students and families as a Special Education Teacher, and is incredibly proud of returning to her childhood district to teach. As the ONLY Black educator in her school, she speaks about how she was...

“We are the cornerstone of Blackness.” Ms. Connie Johnson Author, Community Educator, Youth Advocate, Tutor IG: @IamConnie40 https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Measure-Connie-L-Johnson/dp/1497354021 “Anything we deem as Black excellence needed a Black teacher.” #Shoutout to pouring back into your community, and believing in the brilliance of kids! On this episode, we are joined by Ms. Connie Johnson as...

“I love instructing. I love coaching. I love teaching.” Janelle Hughes, High School English Teacher, Basketball Coach, Athlete “Would I want my kids in front of me?” On this episode, we are joined by Ms. Janelle Hughes, a career changing athlete who took her talents from basketball courts around the world into a Chicago classroom. As she builds her talents as an educator, she reflects on her commi...

“We’ve tried to change the mission without changing the structure.” Enuma Menkiti Director of College Access, English Teacher “Within college, white supremacy culture is fully intact.” Imagine an educational system that brings healing power into communities. After being homeschooled by her mother, and developing a love of learning, Ms. Enuma Menkiti is able to imagine that possibility. In today's...

“Why would I ever think it’s ok to ignore what’s happening to our students, for math or for science?” - Lennex Cowan, Facilitator, Adjunct Professor, Math Educator, Consultant “You can’t change the system if you’re in the system.” Imagine an educational experience where students have unlimited time to master learning. In today’s episode, we are speaking with Mr. Lennex Cowan, about the need to abo...

“The gifts you have been given by God are divine and perfect. You’re worthy, you’re enough, you’re valuable.” Brian Keith Harris, II https://www.briankeithharris.com/ Author, Educator, Dancer, Preacher IG: @Brian_Keith_Harris “We expect our students to function at full capacity, but we are giving them a system that was broken for them from the beginning.” What does it mean to be an educator that f...

“Teachers live forever in the hearts of the students that we reach.” Crystal Higgs, Assistant Principal, Educator, Author, Podcast Host IG: @ClassroomChats Connecting with Students “We build connections through shared experiences.” It’s amazing how our experiences influence us. On today’s episode, Ms. Crystal Higgs speaks on the importance of understanding your teacher identity as we experience th...

“Good mentorship makes for great teaching.” Brian Bailey, Sr (IG: @BrianBaileySr), Aspiring Boarding School Founder, History Teacher, Substitute Teacher, Pastor “I did not have a Black male teacher, K-12, not one.” On this episode, we are joined by aspiring boarding school founder Mr. Brian Bailey. Throughout his career, his exposure to various school cultures and teaching opportunities have shape...

“You’ve built racism into your practices, and now we need to dismantle them.” Alia McCants Director of Student Services, School Administrator, Parent “I don’t care what governing structure you have. I just care about good schools.” It’s an Operations Reunion! On this week’s episode, I am joined by my former coworker and current educational leader Aila McCants! From her tracking elementary school G...

“You gotta get out there… you gotta use your voice.” Darrian Tanner, 10th grade ELA Teacher / Instructional Mentor IG: @ TeachMsTanner www. AMentor4Teachers.com “I am beautiful. I am capable. I am a good educator.” Hello, Educator Affirmations! On this week’s episode, we are joined by high school english teacher Darrian Tanner. A recently published author and instructional mentor, Darrian has spen...

“We have this unique position to really help bring equity to those students.” Asha Ayanna, Special Education Teacher & PBIS member “Come out of the shadows and into the light.” What happens when you flip the model in order to create a safe space for learning? On today’s episode, we are joined by teacher and mental health advocate Asha Ayanna. As we discuss the equity problem that exists in edu...

This Thanksgiving 2020 bonus episode is deeply connected to our "why". Tune in as various educators take a few moments to #ThankABlackTeacher.  Black Educators Matter is a nonprofit organization designed to create an ecosystem for Black educators globally. Through engagement and podcasting, we will document our stories and harness our collective power to enact change and make excellence equit...

“Wow… You’re Black.” Dr. Malikah Nu-Man Restorative Justice Teacher Advisor, Special Education Teacher “I grew up with Black pride and Black excellence, and knowing who I was.” On today’s episode, we are talking about Black excellence with L.A. native Dr. Malikah Nu-Man. After a career change from sales led her into the classroom, Malikah reflects on her fearless advocacy roots and the varied expe...

“They have purpose and potential, just like any other student.” - Dr. Luronda Jennings, Exceptional Education Lead Teacher, Coach, Family Advocate, Special Education Advocate “How can you help parents be better advocates for their children?” On today’s episode, Special Education Advocate Dr. Luronda Jennings is connecting the dots between the lack of teacher diversity, equity, and the growing achi...

Black teachers were able to keep me in line, but also inspired. - Mr. Marc Powers, Poetry, African American Literature, A.P. Theory Instructor Who teaches our stories? What inspires you? It’s a different world, but it doesn’t mean that students are less brilliant than we were. Beginning his teaching career at Howard University, Mr. Marc Powers reflects on how he has evolved from a college teaching...

“I had to learn how to teach them, how they learn… and accept them, for who they are.” - Ms. Ziggy Washington. Author, Educational Specialist, Special Education Teacher If dance is in our DNA, and there is purpose and power in movement, what happens to students when play is removed from schools? On today’s episode, Ms. Ziggy Washington is sharing her observations after 20 years in the classroom. A...

“We need our voices to be heard. Knowing that… you’re not in this fight by yourself.” - Mr. Blake Nathan, CEO/Founder, Educate Me Foundation, Inc. https://www.educatemefoundation.org/ How do you know if you are making an impact? On today’s episode, we are joined by CEO/Founder of Educate Me Foundation, Inc, Mr. Blake Nathan. After growing up around Black Excellence in Atlanta and attending Tenness...

"It is my duty as a human being to teach what I know." Adjunct Professor and Author Nicole D. Vick https://www.nicoledvick.com/ Pushing Through: Finding the Light in Every Lesson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-d-vick/ #Shoutout to the origin stories! And for telling YOUR life story! This week, I am joined by adjunct professor and recently published author, Nicole D. Vick. We discuss the lived...

Jesicka Monroe, Instructional Assistant / Elementary Special Education Teacher “It’s white people who are picking what they want us to learn.” On this week’s episode, Ms. Jesicka Monroe is ringing the bell and hitting us with a reality check. Education is a game, and we are not taught how to play it appropriately. After working as an Instructional Assistant under an inspiring influence, Jesicka ac...