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Daily Border Crossings

Daily Border Crossings

By Samantha Fletcher

Daily Border Crossings is a show that looks at what it’s like to feel like you’re crossing a border each day when you show up at a place. It could be work, school, college, a place you volunteer, maybe your neighborhood. Each day when you arrive, you feel like you have to leave so much of yourself outside the door, you can’t bring all of you with you, and it feels like you’re crossing a border.

Each episode, we talk topics/to people who feel this way, sometimes to those who CAUSE others to feel this way, and have conversations around "othering" and not including certain types of people.
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Ep. 12, THE Dr. Freeman Hrabowski & ADVICE You Need

Daily Border CrossingsApr 01, 2021

00:00
01:00:01
Literacy, Reading, Neurodivergence and Our Students - When Learning Doesn't Look the Same, S4 E5

Literacy, Reading, Neurodivergence and Our Students - When Learning Doesn't Look the Same, S4 E5

Final day of Black History Month, phenomenal episode w/ phenomenal guests!! Research told Black students long ago that they lacked reading proficiency and were below reading level. Decades later, research is telling the same story that they're still woefully behind. What is going on with research? With teaching practices? What should parents or teachers be watching for or doing differently? What should you do if the way your child/student reads, writes, or learns doesn’t match what’s widely considered “the norm”? And what about a learning difference or a dyslexia diagnosis? Then what? Guess what? There's good news on the other side, and value in realizing that not all learning looks the same...so how do you navigate that? Join the conversation and learn from THRIVING adults who learn differently or are parenting children who are. Bring your questions! Daily Border Crossings' 3 esteemed guests: Marcia Brissett-Bailey – UK-based author of Black, Brilliant and Dyslexic, one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women of 2022, Forbes featured dyslexia advocate and champion LeDerick Horne – poet, spoken word artist, advocate, co-author of Empowering Students with Hidden Disabilities, and a "voice for people who learn differently" Resha Conroy – founder of Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children (DABC), a national non-profit created by parents, educators, and advocates driven by the urgent need to alleviate the double disparity of unaddressed Dyslexia and racism For more info, contact Samantha Fletcher, moderator and host of Daily Border Crossings, at dailybordercrossings@gmail.com.

Mar 01, 202401:32:53
Black Geeks, Blerds, Cosplay and Dragon: What in the World is this World? S4E4

Black Geeks, Blerds, Cosplay and Dragon: What in the World is this World? S4E4

Black geeks, Blerds, Cosplayers they affectionately & proudly call themselves. Just in time for Black History Month, #28daysofcosplay

Think dressing up in costumes, Marvel, superheroes, TV & movie characters, loving sci-fi, fantasy & space shows, talking science and technology -- think all that is only for white people? THINK AGAIN.

Meet this panel of only a handful of the thousands of Black folks who live this Black geek, blerd, cosplay life.

Who are they? What goes on in this world? Are they regular folks like everyone else...who just happen to become their favorite characters from time to time?

Meet Montel Thompson aka navymontel https://www.instagram.com/navymontel/

Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers:

"Honestly, one of the biggest misconceptions that I have encountered is because we're fans of certain things that we don’t know how to function in society. There’s a certain level of observed immaturity that goes along with that accusation. On the contrary, we are just as productive and contributed to society as anybody else. The thing that sets us apart from the rest of the crowd is that when the day is done, we don’t have to go to clubs, get drunk and cause any kind of trouble or drama. we hang out with our own tribe and we create things that make ourselves and others happy."

Teresa Kennedy, a Sales Administrator, Geek, blerd & aspiring cosplayer ready to dip her toe and ankle into big time cosplay

Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers: "I think outside people would probably be surprised at who considers themselves to be Blerds/Black geeks and who the cosplayers are. There may be coworkers or acquaintances who are cosplayers and they have no idea."

Allison Joyner, Freelance Journalist and Content Strategist for Allison Joyner Enterprises Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers: "the love of their fanverse is obsession"

Channing Scott Sherman, Co-Founder Black Geeks of DragonCon Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers:

"We are all the same. There are MANY ways to be a blerd."

Feb 09, 202401:33:58
Black Saturday School S4E3

Black Saturday School S4E3

Guests: Kendra Shae-Marie Mullings and Victoria Ennis

@blacksaturdayschool on Instagram

We're talking about Black Saturday School. Yep, you heard me right. Saturday School.

Based in Canada, it’s something that Kendra started a few years ago that is still going strong. And you might be thinking “My kids don't want to go to school during the week, no way would they go to school on Saturday!” but as it turns out, the kids who attend can’t wait for Saturdays because they are so in love with what is happening there. They get things they don’t get during typical weekday school at Black Saturday School.

It is open to students of all races and backgrounds ages 9 - 13. Do your children need something like this? Is this a model or perhaps is her specific program something more areas and school districts should be considering?


Daily Border Crossings is hosted and produced by Samantha Fletcher. https://www.samanthafletcher.com/

Jan 23, 202401:09:29
The Color Purple: The Golden Black Classic - Guests of dif ages and regions explore why Alice Walker's work is timeless, connects generations & proves mainstream experts just don't get it S4E2

The Color Purple: The Golden Black Classic - Guests of dif ages and regions explore why Alice Walker's work is timeless, connects generations & proves mainstream experts just don't get it S4E2

The new The Color Purple movie is OUT -- and broke box office records on day 1 when it was released on Christmas day 2023!

One of my favorite moves of ALL TIME – we’re talking about THE COLOR PURPLE! Why do you, your grandma, your auntie, cousin, niece and nephew ALL know lines from this movie? Why is it so timeless? What's the magic that makes it connect people across regions, generations, genders, etc.? We laugh, agree, disagree, and connect -- and you will too!

My guests -- aka TCP experts by the sheer experience of being a part of Black culture and loving the book, movie, play or new movie:

Anthony Page, film director & producer, Atlanta

April Dobbins, writer & filmmaker, Iceland (from Alabama then Miami)

Kamille Bostick, PhD student, educator, activist, Charlotte (from SC)

Rosa Clemons, Black history museum board president, historian, activist, Georgia/SC

Terri A. Johnson, acclaimed author, D.C.

Dr. Shahara Jackson, educator, activist, Brooklyn/Boston

Tina Seales, business analyst, Maryland/Boston/NYC

And I get to do so with this whole panel of esteemed intellectual guests who also go by just regular everyday folks who pay attention.

Oprah and the cast of the new TCP have been all over the country and beyond promoting this new version. 

And I got to thinking - why am I excited all over again? Why are so many ppl excited? Wow it’s doing numbers so big it’s breaking box office records! Clearly it is connecting w/ many people – across generations and time. WHY IS THAT? 

And here we are with this wonderful crew and we will talk about past, present, and what TCP meant to us individually, personally, what it means to society, why people can relate and keep coming back. 

We’ll also talk about its cultural significance and Black cinema, Black media, Black folks, current events and much much more.





Jan 10, 202401:27:36
Palestinians, Israel and Gaza: What’s Really Going On? Author & Law Professor Khaled Beydoun returns to break down truth, present and past | S4 E1

Palestinians, Israel and Gaza: What’s Really Going On? Author & Law Professor Khaled Beydoun returns to break down truth, present and past | S4 E1

We’re talking Palestinians, Israel and Gaza on this episode of Daily Border Crossings (DBC) and an expert on the region, author and law professor Khaled Beydoun is here to help us break things down and understand what’s really going on.

Israel, Gaza, Hamas, IDF, genocide, cease fire, occupation...the places, the people, the events, the terminology–

If you’re like many Americans, myself included, you’ve seen the horrific videos and images and heard heart- and gut-wrenching stories of the very real, very current war in the Middle East.

And if you’re like me and many Americans, you’ve wondered just what is going on? 

Khaled, an activist with a very active social media presence (his Instagram) for bringing awareness who’s also very busy traveling, speaking and writing on CNN or in the Washington Post, a frontline humanitarian made time for us to talk on day 69 of the war. Years before writing his 2 books, American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear and the follow up The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims, he spent over a decade researching the area.

He’ll discuss the history, the present and how he thinks this will end. Also, hear his take on famous Palestinian DJ Khaled’s silence, his thoughts on Beyoncé, Taylor Swift & celebs in general in relation to the crisis, and what all of us should know, what we should do. Get ready to sit back, listen and learn. It’s DBC.

DBC is hosted and produced by Samantha Fletcher.

www.samanthafletcher.com

Dec 19, 202355:31
Islamophobia: Khaled Beydoun -- Law Professor, Author and Activist -- Gets Candid about Global Muslim Life | S3E2

Islamophobia: Khaled Beydoun -- Law Professor, Author and Activist -- Gets Candid about Global Muslim Life | S3E2

Thrilled and honored to have author, attorney, law professor, public speaker, activist, Harvard scholar, critical race theorist, I’m sure I could go on and on with titles. Khaled Beydoun! His new book, The New Crusades Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims, is a global follow up to his U.S.-centric first book, American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear and has garnered awesome and impressive reviews. In this interview, Khaled's likability easily shines through, as he talks about serious subjects while weaving in wit and humor. We discuss:

  • Islamophobia, from book 1 to 2
  • life as a Muslim, US & globally
  • truths about Islam
  • unimaginable global atrocities + burden to honarably tell stories
  • why he fights (& without fear)
  • trump administration & beyond
  • Ramadan
  • critical race theory
  • 9/11, law school & decisions
  • Politics of banning Black history
  • mentor kimberle crenshaw
  • much more

Learn more about me -- producer, host, visionary and DEI technologist -- at www.samanthafletcher.com/.

Mar 31, 202355:18
S3E1 Undiagnosed: Dyslexia, Reading Challenges, and the Impact on Black Children

S3E1 Undiagnosed: Dyslexia, Reading Challenges, and the Impact on Black Children

Special guests: AMEER BARAKA and RESHA CONROY on the often not discussed but highly impactful DYSLEXIA. It's more common than you think, and it's impacting adults and our children. NOTE: Their audio is great. My (host) audio is off. DON'T LET THAT MAKE YOU MISS THE MESSAGE!

Welcome to Season 3 of Daily Border Crossings. TRIED UPLOADING ON FEB. 28, 2023. On this last day of Black History Month, I have one of the most powerful, intriguing shows – one you don’t want to miss.

Today I speak with the brilliant Emmy nominated actor and critically acclaimed author AMEER BARAKA (check out his IMDb), with roles in Bronx SIU, Zatima, A House Divided and more.

And the amazing and equally brilliant Resha Conroy, founder and executive director of DABC, the Disability Alliance for Black Children.

Resha has a son with severe dyslexia.

Ameer has dyslexia, which wasn’t discovered until he was frustrated w/ not being able to read at school, no one helping to find out why, his frustration turned into behavior issues, then a life of crime which led him to prison where his D was discovered and it opened up doors that took him to Hollywood and even to Congress.

They complement each other well in this discussion. They both are dropping some SERIOUS knowledge we ALL need and especially if you or someone you know has ever had challenges with reading.

NOTE: MY AUDIO IS MESSED UP!! Please note that. Ameer and Resha – their audio is superb. Mine is echo-y and was not fixable. DON'T LET THAT MAKE YOU MISS THE MESSAGE.

THIS SHOW IS DONE IN CONJUCTION WITH THE SIENA SCHOOL AND AIMS.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE IS OUR UNDIAGNOSED DYSLEXIA EPISODE ON SEASON 3. IT’S DBC

Mar 01, 202301:09:12
30 in 30, ep1: Mentor v. Champion with Dr. Freeman Hrabowski

30 in 30, ep1: Mentor v. Champion with Dr. Freeman Hrabowski

The 1st of 30 episodes in 30 days. 30 shorts, these are highlights of the most thought-provoking, talked-about Daily Border Crossing episodes.

Aug 03, 202202:46
Yes, Black People Camp, Hike and Kayak: Ian Solomon of Amplify Outside on Environmental Healing, Black Recreation as Black Liberation and the Joys of Nature

Yes, Black People Camp, Hike and Kayak: Ian Solomon of Amplify Outside on Environmental Healing, Black Recreation as Black Liberation and the Joys of Nature

Meet Ian Solomon of Amplify Outside – a Black man who, get this, HIKES & CAMPS & KAYAKS! Gasp! Yep, a popular stereotype and misconception is that Black folks don't really "do" the outdoors, staying away from woods and mountains and stray or woodsy animals. Out to debunk such myths, Ian -- whose motto is "Black Recreation is Black Liberation" -- takes every chance he gets to be outside. He’ll talk about ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING, a topic that is othered, especially one not discussed a lot in the Black community. And what are Sound Baths? How can we get healing from sound? From the night sky? So much to learn! 

While we're outside celebrating Juneteenth, listen up for reasons to keep being out there. It will benefit your overall health more than you might think. When there is so much mental health talk and so many of us are thinking about how to do better, live better, stress less – TRUST ME! You don’t want to miss this episode. Find out some things we've been missing out on! (Some of us, anyway.) 

Find Ian Solomon at @amplifyoutside on all the socials.

Jun 22, 202254:17
The Truth about Career and Technical Schools - How much is it costing you financially and professionally to overlook these gems?

The Truth about Career and Technical Schools - How much is it costing you financially and professionally to overlook these gems?

On this ep of DBC, we're talking career and tech schools and the fact that they lead to so many lucrative lifetime professional experiences and opportunities that many people miss out on because of overlooking and "othering" them thanks to stigmas. Our guests are Shelette Pleat, principal of a career and tech high school, Nikasha dicks, PR and marketing director for a community/technical college, and Katie Sievers, from credentialing organization Credly

What comes to mind when you think of career and technical schools?  Community colleges? Career and tech schools at the high school level? Some of you may refer to them as vocational and tech, many are changing names from voc to career to highlight that they lead to lasting careers. Are you considering attending? Or did you attend? And if you didn’t, why not?

Voc tech, career and tech are often looked at as the step brother to 4-year colleges and universities, but my guests today would say not so fast. You may recall Pres. Joe Biden giving praise to community colleges, where his wife has spent her career teaching. My guests are all weighing in and showing us that these schools, though often overlooked, also often lead to some quite lucrative careers – all while saving thousands of dollars spent at 4-year universities. You don’t want to miss this discussion on DBC.

Apr 12, 202201:14:47
Mental Wellness: Mindset & Resilience Expert Chazz Scott on the Power of Thoughts, How We (Adults & Children) SHOULD BE Thinking, & Wise, Rich & Rewarding Tips for a Life of Success & Self Care

Mental Wellness: Mindset & Resilience Expert Chazz Scott on the Power of Thoughts, How We (Adults & Children) SHOULD BE Thinking, & Wise, Rich & Rewarding Tips for a Life of Success & Self Care

Resilience and mindset expert, keynote speaker and published writer, Chazz Scott tells us how to take control of our thoughts and then control of our LIVES! Find him at www.chazzscott.com.

He has been named BE Modern Man by Black Enterprise Magazine, selected as Top 30 Under 30 by HBCU Buzz, and was a recipient of The Positive People Award by The Baltimore Times. HIs IG page is filled with insightful, helpful, encouraging messages of knowledge and wisdom to better our lives, including a post discussing the need to regularly do a mental diet. His usage of the phrase "mental wellness" is an example of his commitment to positivity and positive language. 

A scientist by trade, Chazz has the remarkable ability to understand and explain in the most practical, easy-to-grasp and understand way the power of thinking and having an awareness of thoughts to ultimately lead your life in a better direction. WHAT ELSE IS REMARKABLE: HE OFFERS THESE TEACHINGS AND SERVICES TO KIDS 11-18 AS WELL AS ADULTS!

How aware are you of what you’re thinking? Maybe you feel convinced that fear isn’t a factor in your life, but lemme ask you this: Did you not land that job? Not launch that business? Not nail that interview? What if your behavior caused those things to happen, behaviors…showing a lack of confidence or some worry. Our behaviors are connected to our thoughts. So while you’re thinking you’re not afraid or intimidated or scared, your behavior is showing otherwise BECAUSE our behaviors are aligned with our thoughts – EVEN thoughts and beliefs we’re not consciously aware that we’re holding on to. And this can ultimately get in the way of our success and achieving goals.

Deep, right? This is the kind of thing you’ll learn about from my brilliant guest on this episode of DBC! His name is Chazz Scott, and we are talking about mental wellness. But not just like it’s some buzzword. No. Specific points on healthy mind lifestyle changes YALL! That connect with you actually accomplishing big wild dreams or small daily goals, and GET THIS — not just for adults! For our children too? How to be mentally well, ways to think to be successful — in middle school?! And high school. They’re not teaching this stuff in schools, to young people! But my guest is! Who’s teaching this stuff to our kids, Black kids? My guest today…and he can teach yours too, so listen. Time flies. It’s already a month into this new year! Coming up on Black History Month. We want to get it right this time! To start that business, write that book, leave that job, try that idea!

You are tuned into the right show, you don’t want to miss the amazing Chazz Scott, a resilience and mindset expert who’s dropping gem after gem on just how powerful the mind is and then what WE NEED TO DO WITH THAT POWER to get us where we’re trying to go. And i’m like some of you, thinking I’ve heard this mind stuff before – NOPE. You ain’t heard it like Chazz Scott is delivering it. He makes goal achievement  and accomplishing things in general so practical and doable. I’m telling you! Get your notetaking apps out, get your voice recorder ready bc you wanna keep some of these tips to live by. Seriously.

And at the end of the mindsets conversation, there is a bonus portion of Chazz talking about THE legendary Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Stay tuned for that bc whenever UMBC president and civil rights icon Hrabowski is involved, there’s always some knowledge dropping. And then you don’t wanna miss my wrap up where I tell you about the upcoming show and a new twist on career and technical colleges high schools and the long term earning potential that might make you rethink them as solid, viable options for you or your child.

Jan 29, 202201:03:20
Special TIE DIE Edition with Chief Medical Illustrator Chidiebere Ibe on faith, art, & normalizing Black bodies in medicine

Special TIE DIE Edition with Chief Medical Illustrator Chidiebere Ibe on faith, art, & normalizing Black bodies in medicine

Chidiebere Ibe & his passion for art and medicine was the perfect guest for DBC's 1st TIE DIE episode, where we highlight & explore the intersection of Technology, Innovation & Education + Diversity, Inclusion & Equity. We sat for a delightful convo. Tune in and find out:

  • the big role his Christian faith plays
  • desire to "normalize" & response to negativity
  • thoughts on studying in the US or UK
  • childhood sparks of creativity and surgery
  • holiday plans

I am so excited about my guest and what this young man means for the culture, our culture and for really the world in general. He’s the 25-year-old Nigerian recent college graduate who has been making news and social media headlines with his medical illustrations of Black people. I sat down with him from my cozy place in the U.S. to his cozy place in Nigeria. Wait til you hear the role he said God has played and is playing in his life! He shares why he’s doing this and what it means to him, and you’ve likely heard a lot of that, but I wanted to dig more into the makings of him. Who is he? What are his plans for his future? Is he interested in doing any studying in the U.S.? And what about his childhood? What inspired him? Parents? Siblings? An extra piece of his story that’s so special is that he’s self taught, SELF TAUGHT Y’ALL! Have you SEEN these illustrations? Google him! Imagine my shock when he told me he did not do art as a child, in terms of drawing. He was creative & would construct things. Plus he was into animals, you’ll hear about a lizard, but a thing I really wondered about was this idea of being a doctor and an illustrator. I often see one or the other – the doctor focuses on medicine and hires an illustrator; or an artist/illustrator often focuses only on drawings and not on medicine, so the fact that these 2 fit so perfectly together for him piqued my interest. He talks about that, and that also made him the perfect fit for the first TIE DIE DBC episode. Enjoy!

Dec 22, 202129:59
A Candid Conversation with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad: Dropping Knowledge, Wisdom & Lessons for Education and for Life

A Candid Conversation with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad: Dropping Knowledge, Wisdom & Lessons for Education and for Life

The incomparable, amazing educator and author Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy, visits Daily Border Crossings and gets candid, discussing everything from food and family to 19th century Black women who inspired her work to Taboo and Spades! She discusses her book including how she came up with the title, why the book -- which is grounded in the teachings from Black women in Black literary societies from long ago -- is for all students. Gholdy has made such waves, she’s now working with music super producer Pharrell Williams & shares about that. 

You may have heard about her style of pedagogy or even heard her thoughts on critical race theory —some of which she shares on this episode — but what do you know about her? What drives her? What was life like growing up and who were the special ppl who poured into her so wonderfully that they created the beautiful human she became who now pours into so many? What did she say about Jazmine Sullivan's speech at the Soul Train Awards & hear how she connects that to the long history of Black excellence & Black education. Black excellence and education are the foundation of her book — why does she think her book has been such a success and more importantly, what advice does she have for aspiring authors? Speaking of her book, a number of teachers and schools and districts are using her framework, while many schools, when it comes to antiracist and inclusive and culturally responsive teaching, say they prefer to wait for teacher buy-in to do so. Wait for Gholdys strong views on buy in and why it’s extremely problematic, harmful, and a shameful thing to do. Finally, Gholdy joins me for the new Point Counter Point, where guests get 30 seconds to discuss each item in a list of topics -- and we learn if she's a Taboo or Spades person! All that and more on this episode of Daily Border Crossings -- produced and hosted by Samantha Fletcher, music by Miles J Beats, on socials as @milesjbeats.

Dec 11, 202153:38
The Updates Show - What's Samantha Fletcher doing, done & what's to come on DBC?

The Updates Show - What's Samantha Fletcher doing, done & what's to come on DBC?

Season 2 opens with Episode 1, The Updates Show -- updates on the host, on past guests, & on what new/dif things & people to expect this season! This is a special rare chance for listeners to get a peek into the life of the host. I, Samantha Fletcher, am so used to interviewing people BUT this time, I will be I’ll be taking questions and sharing my journey. Listeners can expect to hear what I've been doing, including what a year at Harvard for a mid-career wife, mother, busy Black woman was like, as well as some powerful life lessons I've learned that I believe will help plenty of folks out there. I'm hoping to share valuable nuggets of wisdom I picked up from my life journey. I'm also gonna tell you about some exciting upcoming guests this season -- hello Dr. Gholdy Muhammad! -- and changes/additions to the show -- hello YouTube & more guests!

And will update you on guests from last season -- for example, you’ll hear from Marty Swaim talking about race from the perspective of a white educator and antiracism leader (from ep 1) and from the popular Asian American educator episode (ep 7), I caught back up w Cindy and Ariana, you'll find out if things have or have not changed for them. Othering continues. We will explore it, bring it to light, and learn from it. Come find out what I have in store -- and how it can help move you forward to being a better human being and inclusive member of society. Excited! I’ve missed you!

Nov 23, 202101:02:15
Ep. 12, THE Dr. Freeman Hrabowski & ADVICE You Need

Ep. 12, THE Dr. Freeman Hrabowski & ADVICE You Need

On this episode of DBC, I am beyond honored about today’s guest -- THE legendary Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president of UMBC -- the University of Maryland, Baltimore County -- who is responsible for breaking barriers in Civil Rights, and responsible for countless numbers of Black students and students of color who are now working in STEM. He is brilliant, engaging, funny, and full of good advice. I am also joined by some fellow students and friends who will be a part of the interview as well:

Claribel Aguilar Whyte

Kamille Bostick

Silvana Rueda

Channing Sherman

Apr 01, 202101:00:01
Black History Month Dos and Donts: Capitol Hill Day School Sheds Light with School-wide Effort

Black History Month Dos and Donts: Capitol Hill Day School Sheds Light with School-wide Effort

How do you observe Black History Month? Thinking of your (or your child's/friend's/relative's) school, was it celebrated at an individual or school-wide level? In a time when so many are unsure of what to do, Capitol Hill Day School (CHDS) has figured out ways for all students and faculty to participate in month-long activities and celebrating, that's woven into the curricula. Meet Leslie Sinsay and Jamayca Williams of CHDS, a place where participating in BHM is not optional, where every teacher and class takes part, where they take BHM seriously, SO SERIOUSLY that planning for it starts in October! Leslie & Jamayca share some of what they do, how and why they do it, and tips to help other educators do the same. We’ll also hear what some experts and professors think of BHM, including educators Rebecca Horwitz-Willis and Anri Wheeler and parent Adelle Harris, plus a statement from NAIS VP of Equity and Justice, Caroline Blackwell. from a CHDS parent, and I’ll read a statement provided on this topic by the VP of Equity and Justice for the NAIS. Let this episode help you think ways to approach heritage months and other days to recognize.

Mar 12, 202101:29:05
*Special "Harvard grad school, Say Her Name Edition" - Black Women: Juxtaposing Centering vs. Erasure

*Special "Harvard grad school, Say Her Name Edition" - Black Women: Juxtaposing Centering vs. Erasure

What started as a potential paper for a Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) final project became this special edition of DBC: *an audiovisual podcast campaign (PodPaign, yep I coined that!) that also has a YouTube version. The project -- which features many unheard of Black women Civil Rights greats as well as current Black women voices -- "Black Women: The Need for Centering vs. the Constant Erasure, Exploring this Juxtaposition", was for the course, Say Her Name: From Tituba to Breonna Taylor - Race, Gender, and Punishment, fall 2020 with professors Kaia Stern & Janelle Fouche.  
Who -- Featuring interviews with experts:
Renowned Cardozo law professor Ekow Yankah from the popular PBS NewsHour piece on the contradictory and hypocritical treatment of the opioid vs. crack epidemics
Esteemed Harvard Medical School student LaShyra "Lash" Nolen
Distinguished Episcopal priest Jenifer Gamber
Veteran EdTech & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion practitioner Jonathan Fichter
Also, work and thoughts cited from Dr. Bettina Love, Dr. Kimberle Crenshaw, Dr. Janet Bell, Danielle Brooks, and more.
Plus hear powerful thoughts of fellow HGSE grad students -- women of color who are not Black.

What -- This episode also promotes campaign #ustoo, which I started to Remember, Recognize, Respect, & Regard Black women

Specifically my research posed these questions: "How does centering the ways in which Black women live and love, survive, and struggle for freedom point toward the liberation of all people? How and why is it that Black women, a group of people so pivotal to the well-being of so many other groups, so crucial to this country, so impossible to NOT SEE, have historically been and continue to be invisible often in society? Why are they largely erased? What if they were centered as often instead?"
Reach me: Website: wwwsamanthafletcher.com  Podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailybordercrossingsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/csfletcher1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/csamantha2009

Jan 12, 202101:59:33
DBC ep 9, Impacting millions by age 25: Richa & Vedant of India & the Success of Labhya Foundation

DBC ep 9, Impacting millions by age 25: Richa & Vedant of India & the Success of Labhya Foundation

Richa Gupta and Vedant of India dared to dream big and work hard. Today, the fruits of their labor are exceeding even the dreams they had, and they hope to continue helping even more children in schools. They are 2 of 3 founders of Labhya Foundation, an India-based foundation  whose work in social/emotional curriculum now reaches 2.5 MILLION students across 20,000 schools. And they only started this in January 2017, 3 years ago.

The 3 founders met in a chance encounter but all with similar backgrounds and visions -- all from humble, meager beginnings in India, all w/ a vision for empathy building and helping schoolchildren believe for more. The realized schools in India stressed academics but w/ so much cultural diversity, students needed more in order to learn. They wholeheartedly believe a social/emotional component is imperative but this hasn’t really been added or in many cases considered before, plus no one wants to hear young 20-somethings.

Ultimately, in the end, they create SEL curriculum and reach millions of students and thousands of teachers. As their website’s mission statement states, Labhya Foundation partners with Governments, Multilateral organizations & Non-profits to co-create scalable Social and Emotional Learning programs across Public Education Systems. So, how’d they do it? Learn about a life-altering exchange Richa had with a 12-year-old girl who thought her limiting views on life were normal, and learn about the pivotal, life-defining decision Vedant made at 17 after a life riddled with hardships of many kinds. These moments set the tone years before they met for their invaluable foundation that would come.

I’ll say this: THIS IS A LONG EPISODE! During the first hour you’ll hear much of their backstory. And in the 2nd hour -- they give the blueprint to their success! Hear their journey, find out just what they’re doing and why, and learn just how they did it. Maybe you can help? Collaborate? Or just be inspired right now on DBC.

Nov 29, 202001:53:01
Ep. 8: Indigenous in the US: Meet Loyola Rankin and Isaac Moore - Native American Heritage Month

Ep. 8: Indigenous in the US: Meet Loyola Rankin and Isaac Moore - Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage month. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Loyola Rankin and Isaac Moore, who candidly share about life as indigenous people in this country, from family structures different from what mainstream America has taught as the traditional family to having to navigate code switching starting in elementary school, to addressing stereotypes -- hmm, do they pay taxes? is their college free? --the shock on people’s faces that they wear jeans & t-shirts, and what that NFL Washington football team’s mascot really meant and why it was horribly offensive. Plus they talk about life growing up as well as present day, and being a part of an indigenous educator organization called FIERCE that hopes to impact and revolutionize the teaching of history to be more accurate. Also, is it Native American? Indian? Indigenous? Loyola and Isaac don’t presume to speak for every native person or tribe in this country, but they’ve got thoughts and ideas on this and much much more on DBC.

Nov 16, 202001:33:27
DBC ep 7, Asian American Educator experiences, meet Ariana and Cindy

DBC ep 7, Asian American Educator experiences, meet Ariana and Cindy

How are Asian American educators faring today? On today’s episode, 2 really thoughtful, wise educators share what it’s like being Asian in America. We get a little into the era of Covid and Black Lives Matter, but mostly life in general today and what it was like growing up. For Cindy, who identifies as Chinese American, hear about some traumatic childhood experiences caused by well-meaning people that shaped who she is today. Ariana, a co-founder of the Hijabi Librarians blog is Indonesian Okinawan AND Muslim, and people CONSTANTLY ignore, dismiss, or seemingly erase her Asian heritage. Hear the message she has to all immigrants to this country on their relation to the Civil Rights movement. Also, wait til you hear about Cindy’s son’s discovery of being Asian and Ariana’s young son’s thoughts on skin color. Plus lessons and truths they have to teach their children.
These awesome ladies have opinions about the model minority myth, strong messages of advice for teachers, colleagues, parents, and peers, as well as tools for fellow Asian Americans and others for surviving daily border crossing moments.

Oct 02, 202001:25:43
DBC, ep 6, Black, Married & Champions for Justice: A Tale of 2 Awesome Women, Anika and Yolande Kwinana

DBC, ep 6, Black, Married & Champions for Justice: A Tale of 2 Awesome Women, Anika and Yolande Kwinana

Anika and Yolande Kwinana are founding members of Arlington for Justice, a nonprofit in Arlington, VA, that bills itself as an organization that works to bring a new era of public safety to the neighborhoods there by seeking reform of Arlington’s criminal justice system. The couple sat down with me virtually and shared what the Arlington for Justice is all about. More than that, though, was the candid portion, where they allowed a peek into the personal side of being married, fighting for justice on numerous fronts, the joys and hardships, tough times, times that were motivating them to get to the point of protesting and raising awareness about injustice, those Daily Border Crossings moments of being othered and the painstaking brunt of that. Yolande gave particularly insightful thoughts through her lens of being Black and an immigrant and what she discovered racially after arriving in the U.S.; Anika shares her experience of wedding planning and being a newlywed -- and keeping both mostly under wraps because...society. You won’t want to miss this as both Anika and Yolande open up about life and all these identifiers that lead to isms and to othering and to feeling like you’re crossing a border to just be.

Sep 13, 202001:13:23
DBC ep. 5, organizer Alexandria Bailey, candidate for DC ANC

DBC ep. 5, organizer Alexandria Bailey, candidate for DC ANC

Listen to Alexandra Bailey, an organizer and candidate running to be the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 2F08 in Ward 2 of DC who also just completed planning, organizing and executing a successful 6-week race education series teaching participants about becoming antiracist. Here, she gets candid and personal, sharing about her life growing up biracial, challenges she faced in both public and private schools, and how her life experiences shaped her into someone deeply passionate about ensuring that people are treated fairly. Hear the valuable lessons she has for teachers and other adults, as she states:

“You are not going to be able to protect your students or anyone you care about from all the trauma the world is going to provide -- but you don’t have to add to it.”

Aug 22, 202001:17:49
A conversation with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, part 2

A conversation with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, part 2

It's part 2 of my interview with the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, pastor of the historic Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago -- one of his many titles, including scholar, leader, teacher and filmmaker among other roles. On this episode, we learn about the huge impact on Dr. Moss’s life, sermons, and teachings made by his sister Daphne; what his life was really like as leader of Trinity during Pres. Obama’s presidential run while the world was focusing on Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright; what he sees as the problem with our current education model; the harmful effects of having been wrongfully labeled as having learning disabilities by teachers as a young student and the lesson he learned about the qualities of a good teacher; and positivity coming out of this pandemic because of the role of spirituality and the idea of justice and faith -- hear what he’s seeing from agnostics to people of all differing faiths. Plus, hear his advice and message to the masses regarding mental health. All this and much more. Don't forget to check out part 1!

Aug 01, 202045:32
A conversation with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, part 1

A conversation with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, part 1

Renowned and gifted speaker, author, and advocate for justice, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III joins Daily Border Crossings and talks Covid 1619 “the original pandemic,” what children should do and parents should NOT do when interacting with police, and offers his keen insight on the world today. In part 1 of a 2-part interview, Dr. Moss addresses the racial protests and white people’s roles in them, response to people critical of Black Lives Matter’s intentional inclusion of LGBTQ+ & trans folks, and what needs to happen for lasting racial change. Dr. Moss also has the best stories, from his parents regularly hanging out with civil rights legends and icons (wait ’til you hear what Dr. Martin Luther & Coretta Scott King did for his parents) to having Fannie Lou Hamer sleep over. Civil rights is in his DNA; it’s no wonder he is pastor of the historic Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago -- just one of his many roles. Add filmmaker to that list; he recently founded Unashamed Media Group, which has produced numerous viral social justice-themed videos and through which he is seeking to launch a new genre called sermonic films. Wise, brilliant, compassionate leader. And he’s just an all around great guy. You won’t want to miss this show.

Jul 26, 202055:27
2 Protesters, a Professor, a Community Organizer: From Global Protests to Local Communities

2 Protesters, a Professor, a Community Organizer: From Global Protests to Local Communities

Protests against racism and in support of Black lives continue around the globe. What does this mean at the local level? I talk with Sophie and Brooke, 2 white 20-something protesters on why now; college professor Kamille Bostick’s responds to a protester’s striking disappointed admission about needing to unlearn many things including particularly inaccurate information a teacher taught her about the point of the Civil War; and Alexandra Bailey, the leader of a DC neighborhood group, DC Neighbors for Racial Justice, about ways they are committing to take action. Daily Border Crossing, episode 2. #blm www.samanthafletcher.com facebook.com/dailybordercrossings

Jun 26, 202001:17:46
Daily Border Crossings, ep. 1, Marty Swaim, co-founder of Challenging Racism

Daily Border Crossings, ep. 1, Marty Swaim, co-founder of Challenging Racism

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Daily Border Crossings (DBC) hosted by me, Samantha Fletcher. DBC is a show that takes a look at what it’s like to feel like you’re crossing a border each day when you show up at a place. It could be work, school, college, a place you volunteer, maybe even your neighborhood. Each day when you arrive, you feel like you have to leave so much of yourself outside the door. That you can’t bring all of you with you, and it feels like you’re crossing a border. It feels like you don't fully belong and that those around you don't accept the full you.

It’s something we in education refer to as “othering”. You’ll hear a lot about that on here.

With each episode, we’ll talk to people who feel this way, to people who work with people who feel this way, to those who work with people who feel that way, even those who CAUSE others to feel that way. The goal is to shed light on all of these folks and share their stories.

This episode features an interview with Marty Swaim. A public school teacher for years, she retired with disappointment on her heart about the achievement gap and awareness of its connection to race. After leaving the classroom, she  co-founded Challenging Racism,  an organization that aims to "educate people about the prevalence and inequities of institutional and systemic racism, giving them knowledge and tools they need to challenge racism where they encounter it."

Jun 02, 202049:23