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Black Minds Matter PodcastED

Black Minds Matter PodcastED

By Black Minds Matter

A podcast exploring the root causes of educational inequality and the hope we have for a better path forward.
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Arrested for Education Freedom

Black Minds Matter PodcastEDApr 05, 2021

00:00
41:04
The Childcare Guru: Tiffany Ford

The Childcare Guru: Tiffany Ford

Tiffany Ford is a successful entrepreneur, success coach, student advocate and the owner of 3 schools in Philadelphia.  

Tiffany is known as "The Childcare Guru" as a result of the extraordinary impact that she has made through her educational programs that are making a major impact in the learning and development of inner-city youth. She has also served as a mentor for women, aspiring entrepreneurs and educators aspiring to open their own childcare centers and schools.

Aug 22, 202220:51
Students are Remarkable, Give Them a Path: Shante Lane Tamerat
Jul 22, 202225:19
Transforming Leaders to Legends: Dr. LeDonna Griffin
Jul 15, 202233:03
Passionate Educator turned School Founder : Aba Healing Academy

Passionate Educator turned School Founder : Aba Healing Academy

Aba Healing Academy learned....   For many New Orleans', school- aged children, there is an opportunity to bring in a system that focuses on sound character development, with cultural components that have often been overlooked or underrepresented in traditional education environments. We began planning for a school that would utilize African Traditional Religious concepts, syncretized to widely accepted, Christian beliefs. From our planning, the Aba Healing Academy chose to teach from a Candomble standard of spiritual practice. But why? The answer lies in a better understanding and framing of the question. 

Candomble focus of cause and effect, effective decision making, and goal orientation provides students and families with a framework for making any choice and decision that gives them both religious underpinning and a scientific approach to the logic there in. 

Aba Healing Academy is committed to this form of religious practice because we believe that it is THE MOST culturally appropriate form of religiosity.   

Learn more about Aba Healing Academy at: www.abahealing.org  

Learn more about Black Minds Matter and Black Owned Schools at: www.blackmindsmatter.net

Jun 22, 202229:56
Community Lead and Community Driven feat. Rashaun Kemp

Community Lead and Community Driven feat. Rashaun Kemp

Currently, Rashaun recently led a national non-profit organization, Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools (FCCS), serving as its first Executive Director. FCCS is an advocacy organization focused on amplifying the voices of Black and Brown public charter school parents and leaders.

Rashaun is an active member of his community having served as Chair and Vice-Chair of Neighborhood Planning Unit K. He also is an alumnus of New Leaders Council Atlanta. Rashaun serves on two boards, Georgia Equality and Ivy Preparatory Academy for Girls.  He is also a former high school teacher and principal.

May 24, 202225:33
Black Minds Matter SXSW EDU Panel: Black Owned: Freeing Black Minds with Education

Black Minds Matter SXSW EDU Panel: Black Owned: Freeing Black Minds with Education

At SXSW EDU 2022, Black Minds Matter hosted a panel to celebrate education entrepreneurship! 

During this panel, we spoke with three Black school founders about their journey to launch schools, the history of Black-owned schools, and how even more people can undertake this venture.  

Today, only 15 out of 100 Black students nationwide read proficiently, and only 13 out of 100 perform proficiently in math. This is unacceptable, our black minds matter.

blackmindsmatter.net

#blackmindsmatter #blackownedschools #sxswedu2022

Mar 21, 202258:25
The "E" is for Excellence: T.H.R.I.V.E Christian Academy

The "E" is for Excellence: T.H.R.I.V.E Christian Academy

T.H.R.I.V.E. Christian Academy (TCA) is a new and unique academic addition to the metro-Atlanta community. Their mission is to equip and EMPOWER our scholars to EVOLVE into leaders, EXCEL through academics and EMERGE as Good Samaritans.   

Learn more about THRIVE Christian Academy at: www.thrivechristianacademy.org  

Learn more about Black Minds Matter and Black Owned Schools at: www.blackmindsmatter.net

Mar 03, 202248:07
Zest Preparatory Academy: #BlackOwnedSchools
Mar 02, 202231:37
Fighting for Economic and Educational Equity: Legends Charter School

Fighting for Economic and Educational Equity: Legends Charter School

Legends Charter School was founded on the belief that all students can learn and deserve the opportunity to receive high-quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background. It is our belief that a student’s zip code should not determine a student’s access to education. At Legends, we believe in a holistic approach to education and work to provide any and all resources that facilitate student success in the classroom and beyond.  

 Legends is committed to Prince George’s County, the residents, and the students, and desires to strengthen the relationship with the community by offering an academic choice that is rigorous and integral to the growth of our educational landscape. We look forward to providing Prince George’s County families with the opportunity to experience a truly world-class education. 

  Legends Charter School’s commitment to equity is unwavering. Equity means delivering to each scholar the things he or she needs to be successful. They are moving urgently to provide education to disrupt the current patterns of discrimination, marginalization, and underrepresentation as civic leaders.   

Learn more about Legends Charter Schools at: https://www.legendsschools.org/ 

 Learn more about Black Minds Matter at: https://www.blackmindsmatter.net/

Dec 08, 202143:57
Preparing the Brightest Futures

Preparing the Brightest Futures

Kind Academy is a project-based, personalized, and passion-infused microschool serving students in grades PreK-5 online - in Florida and all over the world.

School founder Iman Alleyne has worked with children most of her life and after teaching Special Education in Public schools decided she wanted to create a program that would work for all learners. She earned her Master's in School Counseling in 2013 and is certified in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Guidance Counseling. She is currently the Assistant Principal at a Nature Based Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale that she helped to start.

Preparing for the brightest future, Kind Academy provides unparalleled dedication and commitment to students and their variety of needs, passions, and dreams.

Learn more about Kind Academy: https://www.kindacademy.org/

Learn more about Black Minds Matter: https://www.blackmindsmatter.net/

Dec 03, 202132:33
[Special Edition] Black Minds Matter on the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles
Oct 11, 202108:28
[Special Edition] Denisha Merriweather discussed Black Minds Matter w/ Adrian Norman
Oct 04, 202119:55
[Special Edition] Denisha Merriweather discussed Black Minds Matter on Sirius XM Patriot w/ Sonnie Johnson

[Special Edition] Denisha Merriweather discussed Black Minds Matter on Sirius XM Patriot w/ Sonnie Johnson

Denisha Merriweather, founder of Black Minds Matter, joins Sonnie Johnson on Sirius XM Patriot Channel to discussion education freedom.
Sep 27, 202124:40
The Fight Continues for Black Students in Nebraska

The Fight Continues for Black Students in Nebraska

After the tax-credit scholarship bill failed to pass in Nebraska, we are all trying to figure out just what happened.

Sep 20, 202135:29
Icon Prep is Changing the Game

Icon Prep is Changing the Game

Icon Preparatory School (Icon Prep) is a non-profit corporation founded in Tampa, Florida by Dr. Dwayne Raiford, Ms. Lolita Jackson, Mr. Maurice Green, Ms. Monique Mills, Mr. Justin Smith, and Mr. Yuri Higgins. Icon Preparatory educates approximately 400 children in the city of Tampa. Icon Prep is open to any student in the state of Florida and committed to closing the achievement gap among its scholars and more affluent peers.

To close the achievement gap among students who live in underserved communities, Icon Prep’s Leadership Team aims to educate students who attend schools that have traditionally been underserved. With a belief that a student’s zip code does not determine their destination, Icon Preparatory School empowers its students to reach their maximum potential preparing them for life in college and beyond.

Combined the leaders have over 70 years of experience in education. With a leadership team comprised of professionals and seasoned educators that believe that all children can learn and achieve at high levels, Icon Prep’s leadership seeks to change the educational landscape in Florida offering choice and a high-quality college preparatory education to students in underserved populations.

Sep 13, 202132:53
Brainwashed by Opportunity?

Brainwashed by Opportunity?

It is not uncommon for liberals to suggest that students of color who receive a private education are being manipulated to have certain political beliefs and that they no longer “fit in” within their own communities as a result. For this panel, we invite students who attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee to share their perspectives and react to the belief that “students of color who attend private school are being brainwashed. During this discussion, we will bring light to this issue and provide a space where conversation can help all better understand the depth of this issue in relationship to the Black Minds Matter Movement.

Sep 06, 202141:44
Accreditation: Ensuring a High-Quality Education for Children

Accreditation: Ensuring a High-Quality Education for Children

Dr. Phyllis Walker is a school accreditation, accountability and ongoing improvement consultant with over 20 years experience as an administrator in secondary and post-secondary education.  Currently, Ms. Walker serves as Visiting Associate Dean for the Florida A&M University College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. She uses her skills to support the College’s strategic planning, program review, specialized accreditation and other effective operations initiatives.

Aug 30, 202148:54
A team of parent advocates committed to helping others

A team of parent advocates committed to helping others

Janelle Wood founded and President of the Black Mothers Forum in Arizona in 2016. The organization strives to dismantle systemic racism and ultimately create a safer, more inclusive environment for children and families. Janelle has an economics degree from Arizona State University and a master's degree in biblical leadership from Phoenix Seminary. She is the founder of a homeless ministry and served as a teacher, coach, and mentor to women released from prison. In May 2021, Janelle partnered with the Prenda Microschool Network to launch a chain of K-8 microschools in her community to address the injustices she seeks to rectify in the large education system.

Aug 16, 202140:36
How A Homeschool Co-op Meets the Needs of Black Families in Detroit

How A Homeschool Co-op Meets the Needs of Black Families in Detroit

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan this spring, causing nearly 2,000 new cases a day in early April, Bernita Bradley was ready.

Bradley has worked as a parent advocate in her native Detroit for more than 10 years, helping connect both children and adults with educational opportunities. As Detroit schools announced its plans to transition to remote learning, Bradley saw an opportunity.

With support from the National Parents Union, a Meet the Moment grant partner, Bradley launched Engaged Detroit, a homeschool co-op.

Engaged Detroit also provides its homeschooling families with opportunities through partnerships like the Detroit College Access Network, which provides college and career pathway support and virtual college tours. The families regularly convene for African drum lessons, and occasionally the families go on educational trips, such as a recent tour of State Line Corp., the company that installs and maintains all the street lights in Detroit.

Aug 09, 202145:27
BLACK-OWNED SCHOOL FOR KIDS CREATED WITH HBCU EXCELLENCE IN MIND

BLACK-OWNED SCHOOL FOR KIDS CREATED WITH HBCU EXCELLENCE IN MIND

The phrase “For Us, By Us” (FUBU) is usually associated with the hip-hop apparel brand. However, Cameron Frazier is using the well-known phrase for a different reason. According to his Facebook page, the Jacksonville, Florida, man is designing a school that’s F.U.B.U (For Us By Us). In various social media posts, Frazier encourages those curious about the school to visit its website. The site outlines the school’s objective to serve as a public, tuition-free, college-prep school called Becoming Collegiate Academy for kindergarteners during the 2021-22 school year. With HBCUs as a source of inspiration, accomplishment, and great pride, the academy will add a grade each year to the school eventually going up to grade five.

Aug 03, 202139:11
Lack of Investments in African American Communities

Lack of Investments in African American Communities

Education inequality is just one result of systemic racism. It has eroded other aspects of black society like housing, public health, employment, criminal justice, and colorism. How do we uproot racism in this country?   

Nebraska currently has one of the highest populations of incarcerated individuals nationally and worldwide. Their prison system is flawed and inhumane. During this episode we heard from State Senator Terrell McKinney about his goal to transform the criminal justice system and the education system in Nebraska.

Watch the video of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w28FBxRkd6M

Apr 30, 202149:05
Arrested for Education Freedom

Arrested for Education Freedom

In 2012, Kelley Williams-Bolar of Ohio was convicted of lying about her residency to get her children into a better school district. Williams-Bolar lived in a school district that only met 4 of 26 of school standards and wanted to send her children to the neighboring Copley-Fairlawn School District where all of the school standards were met. She asked her father, who lived in the Copley-Fairlawn School District, to use his address. The Copley- Fairlawn School district hired a private investigator to follow Williams-Bolar and ultimately she was asked to pay $30,000 in tuition reimburse the district for the education her children received since she did not pay taxes in the district; when she was refused to pay, she was charged with a felony (her father, Edward L. Williams, was also charged with a felony). Williams-Bolar was found guilty and sentenced to 10 days in county jail plus three years of probation. She eventually received some help from Ohio Gov. John Kasich who believed "that the penalty was excessive for the offense" and pardoned her, reducing the crimes to two misdemeanors. Kasich, however, qualified his act, by saying, "No one should interpret this as a pass — it's a second chance." 

Kelley was arrested for seeking a better education environment for her daughters. 

Apr 05, 202141:04
Education Incarcerated

Education Incarcerated

For season 2 of the Black Minds Matter PodcastED co-host @brianagilchrist and @deni_mweather will explore the stories of the school-to-prison pipeline and the hope education has brought.

The Black Minds Matter initiative seeks to bring attention to the institutional inequities in the education system that eerily resemble the institutional injustices of our criminal justice system. Yet, we look ahead optimistically, knowing that the dream of justice and education freedom for all will not be deferred. The Black Minds Matter movement is our restless, bold, and hopeful way of ushering in innovations, excellence in education, and more schools founded by Black individuals. Our Essence and Our Being Deserve Life.

#blackmindsmatter

Mar 15, 202140:45
Pioneering a New Education Path (feat. Kevin Chavous)

Pioneering a New Education Path (feat. Kevin Chavous)

For this episode, Kevin Chavous, President of K12, Inc. attorney, author, and former District of Columbia city councilman, joins me to discuss his extensive background in education and his hope for K-12 education in a time of Covid-19 and beyond.

Dec 05, 202040:47
Why does the Federal Government Care so much about School Choice? (feat. Terris Todd)

Why does the Federal Government Care so much about School Choice? (feat. Terris Todd)

Why is federal support for education freedom so important? During this episode, Terris Todd, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Education Excellence for African-Americans, join me to discuss his background in education and why he decided to fight at the federal level to promote education freedom for Black students.

Dec 03, 202018:39
Fighting Outside the Ring (feat. Ron Rice)

Fighting Outside the Ring (feat. Ron Rice)

A study by the Thomas Fordman Institute found that Black students in charter schools are more likely to have black teachers than their peers in traditional public schools, which lead to academic gains.    

For this episode, Ron Rice, charter school expert, and former New Jersey councilman joins me and our new co-host, Briana Gilchrist, to discuss the controversial development of charter schools and the hope for black empowerment.

Dec 02, 202035:06
Who's paying for your toilet paper?

Who's paying for your toilet paper?

School Funding and Upward Mobility.  District contracts are not given out equally. During this episode, we discuss how school districts can do a better job ensuring Blacks have access to district contracts and more.  

Panelist: Curtis Valentine, Director of Reinventing Public Education at the Progressive Policy Institute,  Paul Dauphin, Louisiana State Deputy Director at the Louisiana Federation for Children, and Emory Edwards, Outreach Director at EdChoice

Dec 01, 202001:04:31
What would the schools in Wakanda look like?

What would the schools in Wakanda look like?

What would the schools in Wakanda look like?  During this episode, the women of Wakanda brainstorm how education would be approached in the Black Panther's kingdom of Wakanda. 

Panelist: Tanesha Peeples, Deputy Director of Activist Development at Brightbeam Network  

Naomi Shelton, Director of Community Engagement at KIPP,  

Lisa Watson, Kansas City Grassroots Advocate  

Briana Gilchrist, NJ Charter School Alum/Advocate

Nov 30, 202001:04:02
The Evolution of School Choice in Tennessee (feat. Rep. John DeBerry and Shaka Mitchell)

The Evolution of School Choice in Tennessee (feat. Rep. John DeBerry and Shaka Mitchell)

In this conversation, we will rewind the clocks of time to talk about the evolution of

school options in Tennessee with the leaders who are making it happen. What’s

changed and what stayed the same? In this episode, we are joined by Rep. John

DeBerry. John DeBerry, Jr. has served House District 90 for the past 26 years in the

Tennessee House of Representatives.

Nov 30, 202034:08
Why don't Blacks vote Republican?

Why don't Blacks vote Republican?

"If David Dukes ran today and put a 'D' beside his name, Black people would vote for him. If Joe Biden ran today and put a 'R' beside his name, no Black people would vote for him. That's just a fact. We are just stuck there.' - Rep. Vernon Jones

Will Black always vote for Democrats?

Oct 19, 202047:27
Young with Options
Sep 30, 202018:49
The History of Black Minds Matter
Sep 23, 202009:02
Black Mind in a White School

Black Mind in a White School

Will black students get a better education at an all-white school? Hear from four black males who have had very diverse learning experiences.

This Black Minds Matter episode is hosted by Walter Blanks, Jr. Featuring Chris Stewart, Derrell Bradford, and Nanya Morris. 

Sep 04, 202001:00:40
 Education, Economics, Criminal Justice, and More: What do they all have in common? And, why must we reform them together?

Education, Economics, Criminal Justice, and More: What do they all have in common? And, why must we reform them together?

Education inequality is just one result of systematic racism. It has eroded other aspects of black society like housing, public health, profession, criminal justice, and colorism. How do we uproot racism in this country? And, should we be changing them all at once?

Featuring Dr. Howard Fuller, civil rights activist, education reform advocate, and academic. He has spent his life advocating for Black people and their right to better lives, including access to a better education. 

Aug 25, 202053:37
History of Schooling in America

History of Schooling in America

Let’s cut to it: American schools were not designed for African Americans and still fail millions of black children today. It’s no surprise schools have seen little to no innovation since the industrial period. That’s a double whammy. Where was the first white school and black school located? How did school founders envision the future of schools? In this episode we focus on the history of schooling with the context of racial inequality in America.

Featuring Gerard Robinson, Vice President of Education at the Advanced Studies in Culture Foundation in Charlottesville, Va; and, Paul Dauphin, Louisiana Deputy State Director at the American Federation for Children.

Aug 25, 202043:15
Black Minds Matter PodcastED Kick-off

Black Minds Matter PodcastED Kick-off

This is a podcast exploring the root causes of educational inequality and the hope we have for a better path forward. 

The world is in the midst of a civil uprising as more bear witness to the racial and social injustices that take place daily in America, sparked by the abhorrent murders of black men and women. We must commit to overhauling systems, and that includes acknowledging that our early justice system which hunted people of color as slave patrols. The education system, once a primary mechanism for segregation, is propped up and prowls for black minds just the same. Those committed to protecting black lives cannot simultaneously refuse to nurture black minds. Our essence and our being deserve life. Our black minds matter.

This episode features Dr. Steve Perry, one of the most sought-after Nationwide Motivational Speaker in America; Ann Duplessis, executive VP of the Retail Banking, Marketing & Sales, and Strategic Planning Division for the Liberty Bank and Trust Company; Gerard Robinson, Vice President of Education at the Advanced Studies in Culture Foundation in Charlottesville, Va; and Hera Varmah, 2020 Future Leaders Fellow with the American Federation for Children. Moderated by Denisha Merriweather, author of 'Black Minds Matter'.

Aug 23, 202001:01:40