“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 educators who understood the urgency of her community's needs. Reflecting on her son's contrasting educational journey, she notes the systemic challenges he’s encountered, including low expectations and la ..read more

“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 and his parents' involvement in education, he became an activist educator. As a career changer, Page entered education through an alternative teacher training program.  "Take your mental health days," a ..read more

“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 professor, her journey is a testament to the impact and importance of Black educators (ask her former student LaQuan!) and following the calling on your life. Growing up in Los Angeles during the crack epidemic, sh ..read more

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 survival mode while engaging in the work. Growing up in a predominantly white conservative town, Dante experienced microaggressions and a sense of isolation, and had to navigate the college pr ..read more

“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 Teachers Los Angeles. With 29 years of experience, Cecily's journey in education has been deeply influenced by her upbringing in Los Angeles, where she was surrounded by Black educators who exemplified e ..read more

“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-rooted desire to be a revolutionary and create meaningful change. Despite not attending an HBCU himself, he recognizes the value and impact they have, particularly in fostering a strong sense of pride and com ..read more

“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 journey of Dr. Daman Harris, an educator, author, and co-director of The Bond Project (located in the Baltimore/DC Metro area). Dr. Harris reflects on his experiences as a Black student in different ..read more

“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 a unique path. He’s been able to blend his content expertise, social emotional learning framework and gap closing interventions into meaningful professional development sessions that help educators move ..read more

“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 "State of Emergency," she highlights the urgency of addressing challenges within the education system. Despite facing personal struggles and doubts about schooling, Ms. Jones has found purpose and confidence in ..read more

“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 tremendous impact Black educators made on his life. He never thought about becoming a teacher, until a role as a community liaison led him to pursue a career in the classroom.  “You don’t have to do it all ..read more