Next Man Up: An MCEL Podcast

About this Episode In Part 2 of this conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas continues his discussion with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara on the question, Who Has the Principal's Back? Together, they explore what meaningful support for school leaders really looks like and why trust, coaching, mentorship, and strong relationships matter. Through honest stories and...

About this Episode In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara to explore a question at the heart of educational leadership: Who Has the Principal's Back? Together, they examine what it means to lead with support, not just accountability, and discuss the critical role system leaders play in developin...

About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up and The MCEL Podcast , sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real lives of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and the creation of safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding light on the daily challenges, rewards, and the necessity of leading with authenticity and pri...

About this Episode In this Women’s History Month special episode of Next Man Up , Kareem Thomas is joined by Dr. Nadia Bennett and Natalie St. Louis for a powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and leadership. From overcoming barriers to uplifting leaders of color, they share real strategies for impact, mentorship, and sustainability in the work. About Natalie St. Louis Natalie St. Lou...

About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up, The MCEL Podcast , sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real life of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and creating safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding light on the daily challenges, rewards, and the necessity of leading with authenticity and prioritizing s...

About this Episode In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas speaks with guests Ray Pace and Dr. Wardell Hunter about the critical importance of leadership development programs for aspiring school leaders. They explore the frameworks for effective leadership training, the significance of mentoring and coaching, and the need for self-assessment and reflective conversations in preparing fut...

About this Episode In this episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas discusses the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in education with guests Errin Smith, Dr. Arman Lakes, and Dr. Chuck Curtis. They focus on SEL’s impact on young men of color, emphasizing how emotional well-being affects academic success. The conversation covers student support roles, common misconceptions about SEL,...

Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with Dr. Aaron Dukes and Mr. Brandon Johnson, two leaders who transitioned from school principal roles to central office positions. They discuss their personal journeys, the challenges of recognizing when to move on, the importance of mentorship, and how they apply skills from their principalship in their current roles. The conver...

Summary : In this episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas sits down with Mario Jova n and Vincent Rawlings for a powerful and deeply reflective conversation about what it means to support LGBTQ+ students as male leaders of color. Together, they explore the intersections of identity, leadership, and advocacy, unpacking the challenges of fostering inclusivity within the education system. The dis...

Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with Dr. Jacob Waites and Joseph Speight to discuss the significance of affinity spaces in education, particularly for educators who are men of color. They explore the definition of affinity spaces, their importance in fostering community and a sense of belonging, and the challenges educators face in today's political climate....

Summary : In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with educational leaders Justin Sinclair and Dr. Harold McCray to discuss the challenges and strategies of school transformation, the importance of self-care for leaders, and the need for culturally responsive education. They share personal journeys, insights on effective leadership, and the significance of community involvement...

Summary: In the season two premiere of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas welcomes Harrison Peters, co-founder and CEO of MCEL, to discuss the current state of the organization and its initiatives. They delve into the National Leadership Institute, its core principles, and the importance of community among leaders of color. The conversation also covers the competencies framework for leaders, the appl...

Episode Summary In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas speaks with Dr. Paul Cruz, a seasoned educator and former superintendent, about his journey in education, the challenges men of color face, and career advancement strategies. Dr. Cruz emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the need for an accepting culture in schools, and the evolving landscape of education in the age of AI and v...

Summary : In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with three  Philadelphia educators—Will Lawrence, Will Brown, and Vance McNear—to discuss their journeys in educational leadership, the challenges they face as men of color, and the importance of branding schools to attract families. The conversation also delves into the potential impact of eliminating the Department of Education...

In this dynamic episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas sits down with two influential superintendents, Dr. Donald Fennoy and Dr. Howard Hepburn, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about leadership, legacy, and the journey of men of color in education. Together, they share defining moments that shaped their leadership—from navigating the aftermath of the Parkland tragedy and the p...

In this powerful episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Courtney Curtis, Dr. Javan Childs, and Gene Renoir for an honest and deeply insightful conversation about what it means to lead as Black men in education. Together, they unpack the profound role mentorship has played in shaping their leadership journeys, the importance of having mentors who understand the nuances of th...

Summary In this episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Dwayne Chism and Dr. Jayson Strickland for a powerful conversation on how mentorship and coaching have shaped their journeys as men of color in educational leadership. Together, they unpack the challenges of navigating predominantly white spaces, the distinction between coaching and mentorship, and why representation an...

Summary In this special episode of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas sits down with two groundbreaking superintendents, Misty Herr and Theresa Plasencia, to explore their leadership journeys in education. As women of color in top positions, they share their experiences navigating challenges, advocating for diversity, and fostering inclusive leadership. The discussion highlights the importance of re...

In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with Ike Ramos, a former educator turned EdTech leader, to discuss his dynamic journey from hip-hop artist to school principal to a driving force in educational technology. Ike shares his experiences integrating hip-hop culture into education, the challenges and triumphs of transitioning into leadership roles, and the innovative potentia...

In this powerful episode of Next Man Up , Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Erick Pruitt to discuss his incredible journey from serving in the Marine Corps to leading as the Superintendent of Schools in Ankeny, Iowa. Dr. Pruitt shares the lessons he’s learned navigating leadership as a Black man in education, the importance of mentorship, and the discipline required to maintain both mental and phys...

Summary In this continuation of Next Man Up , host Kareem Thomas reconnects with MCEL co-founders Harrison Peters and Steve Gering for Part 2 of their powerful discussion on mentorship and leadership for male leaders of color. Building upon the insights from the first episode, they dive deeper into the importance of fostering a strong community, the role of honest feedback, and the ways in which t...

In this inaugural episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas dives into an inspiring conversation with Harrison Peters and Steve Gehring, co-founders of the Men of Color Educational Leadership (MCEL). Together, they unpack the challenges men of color face in educational leadership, the necessity of creating safe spaces for authenticity, and the transformative power of diversity in leadership roles...