NBJC Launches ‘Teach the Babies’ Podcast, Engaging in Conversations w/ Thought Leaders on Education, Equity & Democracy
First Season Will Focus on the 70th Anniversary of ‘Brown v. Board of Education’ and If the Promise of Educational Equity is Being Fulfilled in 2024
WASHINGTON—Today, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) launched the Teach the Babies podcast, hosted by Dr. David J. Johns, NBJC’s CEO and executive Director and former executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans under President Barack Obama. The first season of Teach the Babies will examine the impact of one of the most consequential Supreme Court cases: Brown v. The Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas.
LISTEN TO THE INTRO EPISODE FOR TEACH THE BABIES HERE
Coinciding with the 70th anniversary (May 17, 2024) of Brown v. Board, which continues to shape understandings of and facilitate or deny access to citizenship, democracy, and equity, each episode of Teach the Babies will feature conversations with brilliant changemakers from diverse sectors, each shaping education and democracy in profoundly consequential ways.
From political appointees and system leaders to educators at every level – including the president of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest labor union – to freedom dreamers and fighters like Brittany Packnett-Cunningham and leaders of national civil rights organizations like Damon Hewitt Esq., the podcast will explore the lessons learned from the Brown decision and ensuing actions, and reflect upon how far the country has come and the work that remains.
“As we surpass 70 years since the first Brown decision, we’re still grappling with questions about the effects and impact on our education system and equity in learning spaces for students of all races, sexual orientations, and gender identities,” said Johns. “As our ancestor bell hooks reminds us, living in a democratic society is our birthright. Rather than assuming that it will just happen, we must work to maintain democracy actively. With Teach the Babies, we’re speaking truth to power while commemorating the labor and love that led to, and are followed in the wake of, Brown.”
THE TOPICS AND GUESTS ACROSS EACH EPISODE WILL INCLUDE:
*sequence and titles may change*
EPISODE 1 & 2 (Tuesday, May 21 & Thursday, May 23):
“I Lived Through Brown,” featuring Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, former President of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
This episode explores what it’s like to have lived through the Brown decision, marched and been jailed at Dr. King’s invitation, and extended Brown’s legacy by serving within the higher education administration. The power of praying and the literacy of Black mothers and mother figures are also prominent themes throughout.
EPISODE 3 (Tuesday, May 28)
“#TeachTheBabies: The Legacy of Reverend Otis Brown,” featuring Nancy Hanks, educator, partner, executive coach, and trainer with the Management Center.
This episode explores Reverend Otis Brown’s legacy, the toll that being a race warrior, challenging segregation, and upending white supremacy can exact, and lessons learned as an educator, system leader, and executive coach with more than two decades in the sector.
EPISODE 4 (Tuesday, June 4)
“Navigating The Color Line,” featuring Becky Pringle, President of NEA
This episode explores the responsibilities that teachers and leaders have for improving schools and defending democracy, the power and importance of labor unions, and the responsibility that caring and concerned adults have for supporting students and schools.
EPISODE 5 (Tuesday, June 11)
“#TalkToTheBabies: A Classroom Teacher’s Perspective,” featuring Stephanie Allen, a High school English Teacher and Two-Time Teacher of the Year.
This episode features the front-line experiences of a classroom teacher, centers stories about under-supported students, and describes necessary steps to dismantle the social hierarchy that relegates Black students to the lowest rungs of every quality of life indicator ladder.
EPISODE 6 (Tuesday, June 18)
“The Whole System is Broken,” featuring Andrea Foggy-Paxton, Entrepreneur in Residence at EdLoc.
This episode answers the question: What is civics, and why should it be taught to all students? It shares lessons drawn from Andrea’s experience as an appointed school board member and explores the responsibility that philanthropy and corporations have for ensuring educational equity.
EPISODE 7 (Tuesday, June 25)
“And We Still Keep Fighting,” featuring Dr. Bianca Baldridge, Associate Professor of Education at Harvard.
This episode explores out-of-school learning spaces and the lessons we can learn from youth workers to support students, improve schools, and strengthen democracy. Loving and listening to Black children, youth, and young adults are salient and unifying themes throughout.
EPISODE 8 (Tuesday, July 2)
“This Ain’t What Justice Marshall Fought For,” featuring Damon T. Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights.
This episode revisits the legal motivations for bringing the lawsuit, the role of courts and our legacy system in facilitating access to opportunity and disrupting resource hoarding, and the white-washed memory of Brown’s legacy.
EPISODE 9 (Tuesday, July 9)
“Teach ALL the Babies, The Big Ones Too!” featuring Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN.
This conversation tackles the question of why it’s essential to say gay and trans and to ensure that all students have access to adults who are competent and compassionate. Melanie discusses the work of GLSEN, which is incredibly important considering the recent increase in anti-LGBTQ legislation targeting students, schools, and democracy.
EPISODE 10 (Tuesday, July 16)
“Systems Work Exactly As Designed,” featuring Dr. Christina Grant, DC State Superintendent of Education.
This episode will delve into what a superintendent is responsible for or why it’s important to support Black women educators while also strengthening the pipeline of Black male educators.
EPISODE 11 (Tuesday, July 23)
“Brown Was A Mixed Bag: White Supremacy Mutates,” featuring Judith Browne-Dianis, Executive Director of Advancement Project.
Did you know that for every one white male student suspended or expelled K-12th grades, the rate is three times higher for Black boys? What about Black girls? The rate is six times higher when comparing suspension rates of Black girls to their white counterparts. This episode reflects on how Brown increased surveillance and discipline for Black students, the consequences of carceral policy-making, and the power of context and community.
EPISODE 12 (Tuesday, July 30)
“The Trappings of Private School Privilege,” featuring Bobby Edwards, Director of Community Inclusion and External Relations at the McLean School.
This episode names the role that elite private schools play in preserving privilege, what privileged families seek to buy when playing the real estate for school access game, and the importance of supporting the unique needs of all learners.
EPISODE 13 (Tuesday, August 6)
“Montessori Methods are African by Nature,” featuring Maia Blankenship, CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund.
Have you ever wondered about what happens at Montessori schools and if they’re good for Black students? This episode answers these questions and more. Parent, family, and community engagement, the enduring legacy of lessons learned at HBCUs, and African-centered child-centered learning are unifying themes.
EPISODE 14 (Tuesday, August 13)
#TeachTheBabies about (Public) Charter Schools,” featuring Naomi Shelton, CEO of National Charter Collaborative.
Do you know what distinguishes a charter school from other public schools? Do you have questions about whether charter schools are public schools? This episode will grapple with these questions and more.
EPISODE 15 (Tuesday, August 20)
”The Color Line,” featuring Dr. John Diamond, Professor of Sociology and Education Policy at Brown University.
Dr. Diamond describes Brown as a compromise with whiteness and white supremacy. This episode addresses what WEB DuBois named “the color line” as an enduring feature of life in America and the toll exacted on Black families who pursue educational opportunities within systems gatekept by white racial actors.
EPISODE 16 & 17 (Tuesday, August 27 & Thursday, August 29)
“Reimagining Education,” featuring Brittany Paknett Cunningham, Host of the Undistracted podcast.
This series concluding episode of the podcast invites listeners to the freedom dream with one of our nation’s most sought-after thought leaders, policy advisors, and public speakers. Brittany and Dr. Johns discuss how the game of politics is played, how to stand on business while building Black futures where all Black students thrive, and that there are no lay people in the work of defending democracy and getting everyone to freedom.
If you are interested in talking more about Brown v. Board or the current state of educational equity in 2024 with Dr. David J. Johns or any of our guests, we’d be happy to facilitate the discussion.