Real Reading Talk

In this episode, I'm discussing the recent article in our local online news platform cleveland.com that talks about the budget cuts that will be taking place this September in districts across the country. The money from the American Rescue Plan Act dollars are drying up and of course that means take away Out Of School Time programs and summer learning programs. These are the programs that was...

The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down it to feel its warmth is an African proverb that reminds us of the importance of giving love, validation and grace to our children. Unfortunately Black children across this nation in particular, have been used to being dealt with in a punitive way. In the Black community we've adopted the ideology that our children have to be talk...

Have you heard of the books Bronx Masquerade, A Walk In The Woods, Garvey's Choice or Make Way For Dyamonde Daniel? Well these books and many other children's and young adult books have been written by the award winning author Nikki Grimes. Guess what I get to talk to her on this episode of Real Reading Talk. She'll be sharing with me her journey into becoming an author, which entails...

This episode is most definitely going to have to be listened to at least twice. Brotha Tyson Amir who is a dope MC, author, activist, educator and Freedom Fighter for our people has graced our presence on the Real Reading Talk platform. What you'll hear is his literary journey that starts with his Black conscious roots that come from his phenomenal parents who were entrenched with the knowledg...

In this episode I am addressing the article that I read in TMZ about Nick (woke) Cannon and a partnership with Zeus Network in which they were going to have a competition between dark skin and light skin women. Then, when Nick and the network received backlash they changed the name to chocolate goddesses vs caramel goddesses and of course that shot down too. Can we say Dr. Joy we need your book AS...

After reading an article about a fellow Clevelander's mother who understood the assignment of being her children's first teacher, it definitely renewed my faith and reminded me to keep doing what I'm doing. I was in such awe after reading an article that a lady posted in LinkedIn that was written about her mother 34 years ago, highlighting how she is adamant about preparing her childre...

How come we seek out the knowledge, mentorship, coaching, watch the Youtube videos, listen to the lectures and then when it's time to execute we freeze!? Well grab your notebooks and pens because I'm going all in how we allow the f word, stop us from taking action steps consistently on the things that we've learned. This is that episode that you can't miss! https://readingisfreedom...

This episode was extremely therapeutic for me. I was most definitely talking to myself from the beginning to the end. I'm addressing an issue that so many people deal with on a daily basis which is being afraid to show who you truly are. I breakdown how this mindset leads to being bullied or becoming a bully. In order for a person to be the best version of themselves in every aspect of their l...

The Right To Read has been one of the most talked about documentaries amongst educators and literacy advocates across this nation. It delves right into how this nation has been failing our children when it comes to them becoming successful readers due to inadequate resources, systemic racism and not teaching the science of reading. Well in this episode esteemed educator, author, and owner of Liter...

In this episode I'm talking about the documentary The Right To Read that highlights the obvious of how many of our children are not prepared as it pertains to reading across this nation. Kareem Weaver is the one who is like the guide if you will throughout the documentary and he focuses on how Lucy Calkins whole word and balanced literacy approach hasn't been very effective in teaching our...

This conversation had many going through a roller coaster ride of emotions. Philly native Will Latif Little shared his very challenging upbringing being raised by his single mother and aunt(grandma) in a racist society that helped to create the very environment he had to navigate his way through day in and day out. His stories that he shared made me upset, sad and angry all at the same time. Even...

When you think of hustle, dedication, determination and consistency after listening to this conversation with Asiya Nasir she surely will be the person to pop up in your mind. What's so phenomenal about listening to her journey is that she credits a lot of her success through the foundation that are her family set when it came to reading and education. She definitely understood the assignment beca...

In this episode I had one of the most inspiring conversations with a sister who encapsulates the meaning of determination and will power and her name is Zaakirah N. Muhammad. She shares her story about how she grew up in a house filled with books and two parents who are strong advocates of education. So of course her growing up around literacy led her to becoming an author her self. She definitely...

In this episode I address two issues that have been talked about heavy in the media. The first is how Ron Disantis the racist governor of Florida is on mission to erase the truth about the history of this country being taught in the classrooms. Even though I address there ridiculous requirements that must be met in the classroom in order to teach the children I make it clear that this is a systemi...

In this amazing episode I get a chance to have a great conversation with a dope brother who wears many hats. Masood Abdul-Haqq is an author, executive, speaker, he owns and operates to pediatric clinics with his awesome wife and he's a community activist. We talk about his journey from his humble beginnings growing up in the first part of his life in New Mexico and then moving to the Muslim commun...

In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with awesome cosmetologist, author, hair salon owner, hair care activist and educator Ladosha Wright! You get to hear about her journey growing up in a house filled with love and of course some sprinkles of dysfunction like alot families in particular Black families. Even though she experienced, trials and tribulations like most great people...

In this episode I’m having an intriguing discussion with my son Ismail about the book we both read, The subtle art of not giving a F. There were gems and nuggets being dropped from both of us, so be sure to have your notebooks and pens ready. Episode 2.

Purpose. Over. Pointless. Excuses. This is what is being discussed in this very first episode of season 3 of Real Reading Talk. Mark this down as one of the best episodes that I have ever done because this awesome guest Mr. Demont Pope was absolutely here dropping mad jewels, gems, nuggets and dimes! We talked about everything from his family background, the unfortunate trauma that he grew up with...

In this last episode of season 2 I talk about the concept of reading is freedom and how this message is at the very core of this podcast. I discuss the importance of being intentional about putting reading high on our value ladder in the Black community. Last I give 4 easy ways we can consistently implement reading daily in our lives.  Click the link below to visit our Reading Is Freedom stor...

Oh yes ya'll in this episode I talk about the quote that Kyrie Irving said when he was being questioned by the media in regards to a link to a movie he posted on his personal social media platform. I'm addressing the how made it clear that he understand as a 30 year old why it was said if you want to trick a Black person then you put it in a book. He then, talked about how reading is a superpower....

In this episode I talk about the what I call the 3 R's of Freedom Resistance, recovery and resilience. What made me choose this topic is because I thought about how my own children need to know how to recover whenever they are faced with trials and setbacks in the event I'm not around. So then, I realized this was an aspect of being a Free person. That's when I decided to add the other components...

This episode is a check-in to make sure parents are equipping their children with the necessary tools of empowerment that is needed when they are going to these "schools" that are in many cases like a battle zone. I also talk about how we must be real with our children in regards to the racism that they are faced with daily and what that looks like inside the classrooms. I give real examples of ho...

In this episode I show a number of titles of books for all ages that not only have I read but, I truly believe you must have in your home library. I give brief summaries of what each book is about and how these can help build confidence, knowledge of self and teach the history that our children are not learning in the classrooms. You most definitely need your notebooks and pens for this episode.&n...

Like I promised Ebony Donley and I took a deeper dive into why it's important for our children to get their writing skills up to par. Ebony gave practical tips on how we can help our children write more and write well. She went beyond talking about they need writing to pass these state tests she linked writing to empowerment and how it is great tool that can be used to get the things you need and...

Oh yes she's baaack!!! Intervention specialist, literacy advocate,  tutoring business owner, certified life coach and author of 2 books Ebony Donley is in the Real Reading Talk house! She is sharing her rich experiences about how she grew up in a very loving, supportive and literacy filled, high achieving home. She is also giving insight as to how her upbringing led her to choosing education...