SoBE Rants
By SOBE
State of Black Education - Oakland
SoBE RantsAug 20, 2019
S4E4: Coron Brinson Speaks on The Black Teacher Project, Support for Black Educators Under Non-Black Leadership, High Expectations for Black Scholars, and More
S4E4: Coron Brinson Speaks on The Black Teacher Project, Support for Black Educators Under Non-Black Leadership, High Expectations for Black Scholars, and More
For results to take place in the direction of executing a mission, sometimes uncomfortable conversations need to take place. As a melanated family, we have to hold each other accountable and correct those who are causing harm to our movement, but also show gratitude for those demonstrating positive actions or making progress for the overall benefit of our melanated scholars.
We vent it out by indulging in a quick S.O.B.E. style rant to crack open the door and welcome in uncomfortable but needed education conversations, then transition into the solution for the State of Black Education.
The podcast serves as a safe space to have those accountability conversations, while bridging the gap of understanding and providing clear action steps in our fight to elevate the educational experience for our blessed and melanated scholars, while maneuvering in an education system populated by uncultured and seasoning deficient individuals.
Excited to have this conversation with you.
Hosted By: Quis Evans
S4E3: Kamar O'Guinn speaks on the state of black education in Oakland
Kamar O’Guinn has dedicated his educational career to uplifting and empowering students and their families. He is the founding manager of Berkeley Unified School District’s (BUSD) African American Success Project and the architect of Umoja - an affinity-based cultural enrichment program designed to ensure the success of Black students. Additionally, he helped develop BUSD’s African American Success Framework. The AASF is a multi-year intervention created to disrupt longstanding inequities facing Black students.
Before joining BUSD, Mr. O'Guinn was an Assistant Principal of an Education For Change public charter school in Oakland, California. There, O’Guinn played a vital role in establishing an organizational culture and outcome-centered educational orientation that challenged staff to deliver a high-quality school option for students from across the city.
O’Guinn believes shared knowledge and collaboration are critical levers for course corrective educational initiatives. Private and public organizations have commissioned his expertise for professional development and research projects.
As an Oakland, California, native Kamar credits his community for helping him to understand the relationship between education and social mobility. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from California
State University East Bay, where he graduated summa cum laude.
S4E2 Are Allies in Education Getting in The Way of Black Excellence?
@Quis.Evans put it into words through his most recent blog,
Now you can hear what Michael Ikuesan, has to say.
Michael Ikuesan is an Educational Consultant from Atlanta, Georgia, currently living in Oakland, California. In this episode, we discuss the 3 points listed in Quis' blog, https://greatschoolvoices.org/2022/08/sobe-rants-are-allies-in-education-getting-in-the-way-of-black-excellence/ , as well as discuss solutions for the overall State of Black Education.
Music By: Jalani Will
S4E1: Before You Curse That Teacher Out About Grades, Listen to this
@Quis.Evans put it into words through his most recent blog,
Now you can hear what Michelle Coleman, Assistant Principal, has to say.
Michelle Coleman is a former ELA educator, now Administrator, who’s experienced both the positive and negative interactions with parents of the scholars she holds to a high academic and cultural expectation. Though she’s experienced some challenges and pushback, her methods resulted in her having the highest ELA growth scores in her school’s network. In this episode, we discuss the 5 solutions stated in the previous blog, https://greatschoolvoices.org/2022/05/sobeo-rants-before-you-curse-that-teacher-out-about-grades-read-this-first/ ,as well as dig into the grades versus the mastery of the standards and lessons taught.
Music By: Jalani Will
Community Solutions Ep. #1: Financial Literacy with Nikki' Clayton
Join host Marquis "Quis" Evans, KIPP Bridge social studies teacher, for a monthly conversation! In this first episode, Marquis is joined by financial coach Nikki’ Clayton to talk about financial literacy and the importance of young people to understand basic finances at a young age.
S2E3: ...On Teacher 43 Years in Oakland w/Mr. Herman Brown
This was a personal and special episode. Mr. Brown was a major factor in my life, similar to the thousands of kids he's taught over his 40+ career. Just sit back and listen to some of the best wisdom from a life with an endless number of lessons.
S2E2: ...On Progressive Cities Failing Black Kids & Notes on Mentorship w/Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart is a trailblazer making a splash in educational activism. He loves Black kids and he's loud about it. In this episode, he discusses Brightbeam's Report, The Secret Shame which looks at progressive cities that are failing Black children. We discuss how he feels these cities should receive the study as a benchmark to be approved upon.
We also have a great conversation regarding the state of mentoring and intergenerational leadership. It was quite fascinating.
To reach Chris:
Twitter: @citizenstewart, email: christopher@activist.com, website: brightbeamnetwork.org
S2E1: Toxic Waste in West Oakland? ft: Jumoke Hinton Hodge
Welcome to Season 2! We are so excited to be back for a new cycle of Oakland leaders impacting the city. In this episode we have school board director and SoBEO co-founder, Jumoke Hinton-Hodge on to discuss the recent discoveries in West Oakland and what they mean for our community as a whole. Enjoy.
You can reach Jumoke for questions at jumoke.hintonhodge@ousd.org.
Twitter: @sobeoakland
...with David Hardin, 75% Black Male Teaching Staff is Possible! (Ep. 9)
In this episode, we sit with a good friend and education warrior, David Hardin. David runs a very special middle school in East Oakland called Aurum Prep that has a student population breakdown of 55% Latinx and 45% Black students. Even more impressive is his 75% Black male teaching staff that is seeing amazing academic growth. Listen to his full story and let us know your thoughts on Twitter at @SoBEOakalnd.
...About the "Kaiser-Sankofa-Santa Fe" Situation w/Dr. Brian Stanley
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Brian Stanley, former ED of the Oakland Public Education Fund. He's an amazing guy and also an Kaiser (OUSD) parent. Recently, he wrote an electric piece detailing the racial issues that have emerged as the school is primed to merge. Well, in the midst of the stir-up, Dr. Stanley sat down to discuss his article and to examine how race is impacting Oakland education. You do not want to miss this.
...with Charles Cole about Black Folks Being on Our Own! (Ep. 7)
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE.
In this episode, I turn the mic on myself dive into my thoughts about where we are as a people. This meditation was more of a meditation on my thoughts and hopefully you all take something away from it. Enjoy.
...with Rachel Willis-Henry about Parent Advocacy & Losing Friends (Ep. 6)
In this episode, Rachel rants about her work advocating for parent choice and what has led her to that work. She reminisces on her time growing up in Oakland and her love for this city. She also discusses how Black kids deserve better. Take a listen.
...with Kennan Scott about There Being Too Many Adult Issues Interfering with Education in Oakland (Ep. 5)
Kennan Scott is a mover and shaker on the Oakland education scene. In this rant, Kennan had a lot to say about adult issues infringing on our ability to actually educate Black and Brown kids well here in Oakland. He shares his plans for what he wants to do that would impact students in a positive way.
...with Amber Childress, about Just Letting Kids be Kids
In this episode, we spend time with Alameda County Board of Education Trustee, Amber Childress as she rants about the need to let children be children and not forcing them to grow up too soon. Take a listen, leave a comment, and share.
You can reach Amber on Twitter: @AmberLChildress and Facebook: Trustee Amber Childress
You can email us at sobeoakland@gmail.com.
...with Marquis Evans about High Expectations for Students, Teachers, and Improving Outcomes Together
In this episode, Mr. Marquis Evans, 6th and 7th grade Social Studies teacher at Kipp Bridge rants about how to get parents and teachers to partner together better in service of students. He also discusses how he holds his students to a higher standard and how it irks him to see people outside the Black culture lowering standards for Black students. It was a great conversation.
stateofblackeducation.com
Intro Music: T.I. - Go Get It
Outro Music: Jalani - Cameron Crazies
...with Selena Wilson, EOYDC, about the Pressures of Perfectionism (Ep. 2)
In this episode, Ms. Selena Wilson rants about how the quest for perfection harms Black students. It was a really insightful conversation from an organization that is doing amazing work.
To learn more about the East Oakland Youth Development Center, go to eoydc.org.
Intro Music: I Got 5 On It (Jordan Peele Remix), The Luniz
Outro Music: Redbone, Childish Gambino
Follow SoBEO on Twitter: @SoBEOakland
...About Being a Black Female Leader in Oakland (Ep. 1)
In our first episode ever we are joined by SoBEO co-founder and Oakland School Board Director, Jumoke Hinton-Hodge. In her rant, she touches on Black girls not getting enough love in education debates, being in directly in the fire to ensure Black kids get educated, and what lead her to this work. Hope you enjoy.
Underbed music: Miss Mary J. Blige
stateofblackeducation.com
Twitter: @sobeoakland