Higher Unlearning

“You can't cripple a man and then criticize the way that he walks” - Dr. Billy Ray Close In this episode Brianca, Le'Otis, and guest Arsene Frederick and Kintevous “KJ” Collins discuss the impact of classism within the black community and how their respective socioeconmic statuses growing up affected their views on blackness, education, and their role in the community. Question of the Day: Do you feel like it is our responsibility to reach back and better our community? If so, how do you do it?  We hope you enjoy the show!!   leave comments

“Black culture is a fight. We want to hold on to what we are, but sometimes the things that we are can be totally negative. You have to think: can't we try something new and not be seen as suspect?” - Donald Glover  WELCOME BACK FOR SEASON 2!! In the first episode of the new season Brianca, Le'otis, and Tiffney Funches discuss how they have navigated through the different dynamics of Black culture. The discussion covers safe spaces, being black in the professional world, and moving beyond boundaries. Question of the Day: What's the culture to you? Do you identify with it? We hope you enjoy the show!!   leave comments

“None of us alone can save the nation or the world. But each of us can make a positive difference if we commit ourselves to do so.” - Cornel West  In this episode Brianca and Le'otis attempt to distinguish the difference between systemic and systematic racism. They discuss multiple different systems such as healthcare and housing to identify the effects of racist systems. Question of the Day: What mechanisms are in place or need to be in place to address these systems and others? We hope you enjoy the show!!   Leave comments

“The White savior industrial complex is not about justice. It is about having a big emotional experience that validates privilege” -Teju Cole In this episode Brianca and Le'otis discuss how the white savior industrial complex has touched the lives of black people and other people of color through movies, mentoring organizations, and even mission trips. They begin to reflect whether the road to hell is truly paved with good intentions. Question of the Day: What's your favorite white savior movie?  We hope you enjoy the show!!   Leave comments

“We have a potential power in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power towards good ends” -Mary MCleod Bethune In this episode Brianca and Le'otis discuss the achievement gap and how the current education system set some students up for greatness while leaving others to completely wonder through the dark. Question of the Day: What was the biggest influence on your education? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqTTojTija8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHIQIO_bdQ We hope you enjoy the show!!   Leave comments

“When children attend schools that place a greater value on discipline and security than on knowledge and intellectual development, they are attending prep schools for prison” -Angela Davis In this episode Brianca and Le'otis discuss the consequences of having police in schools and the impact and message this sends to students. Question of the Day: How do you view the protective measures in place in your school? Do they protect the students or are they used as a backhanded weapon? We hope you enjoy the show!!   Leave comments

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them” James Baldwin In this episode Brianca and Le'otis discuss the theory of Adultification of Children and how the world's perception of Black and Brown children affects the way they move through life. They ultimately discuss the importance of allowing Black and Brown children to actually be children. Question of the Day: What childlike behavior did you get in trouble for when you were a kid? We hope you enjoy the show!!   Leave comments

Caged Bird - Maya AngelouIn this episode Brianca and Le'otis discuss the abstract and vast concept of Conceptual Incarnation. The discussion covers systemic and personal barriers, and most importantly, how to begin to find your freedom. Question of the Day: What does freedom look like?We hope you enjoy the show!!   leave comments

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” Frederick DouglasThis episode Brianca and Le'otis delve into the concept of healing. They discussed facing unhealthy childhood habits in the process of repairing personal “brokenness.” Question of the Day: What unhealthy habit did you learn as a child? What are you doing to unlearn the habit and build healthy ones?We hope you enjoy the show!!   leave comments

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase” -Martin Luther King Jr  This Episode is an introduction to the creators of Higher UnLearning, one of the three pillars of Raising Royalty, a social enterprise which works to challenge preconceived norms and invoke enlightened thought about the black experience. They will explain who they are and why they are passionate about the work they do.   Our mission is to educate by reinforcing black traditions, beliefs, and values which have enriched the world we live in.  Question of the Day: What experience do you fall back on for reassurance and to recharge your faith?  We hope you enjoy the show!!   leave comments