Teach the Babies w/ Dr. David J. Johns

In this rich conversation, Eboni takes us on her journey from a young girl who was "playing president, not playing with baby dolls," to a woman who discovered that motherhood could be her unexpected mojo pouch – that sacred vessel of African protection and power. She shares how choosing motherhood on her own terms has expanded rather than limited her options, and why she refuses to do anything "by committee" – whether it's integrating the cast of Real Housewives of New York or raising our daughter Liberty Alexandria.We explore how Eboni draws and respects her boundaries in spaces where she's often the first or the only, her reflections on representation in media, and the ancestral wisdom she's reclaiming. From Fox News to Revolt TV, from courtrooms to television courts – Eboni shares lessons that will challenge you to bet on yourself and honor your own authentic path.Spoiler Alert: Our conversation includes references to the film "Sinners" – so if you haven't seen Ryan Coogler's masterpiece yet (and seriously, what are you waiting for?), you might want to bookmark this episode and come back after your viewing.Mocha SMC PodcastBet on Black The Good News about Being Black in America Today Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

In this soul-nourishing episode of "Teach the Babies," host Dr. David Johns sits down with doula, author, and maternal health advocate Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow. Together, they explore the revolutionary act of reclaiming birth as a sacred, communal experience deeply rooted in ancestral wisdom.Latham shares her journey to becoming a doula after her own transformative birth experience, which led her to create Mama Glow, an organization that has trained over 3,000 doulas nationwide. In a healthcare system where Black women face dramatically higher maternal mortality rates, Latham's work stands as both resistance and restoration.The conversation delves into how doulas serve as modern-day midwives, holding space for birthing individuals while helping them access their ancestral magic during this powerful transition. Latham illuminates how birth is meant to be experienced in community rather than in isolation, with profound insights on how even non-birthing individuals physically change to support new life.From the power of language as a tool for healing to the alchemy that transforms trauma into joy, this episode offers wisdom for anyone interested in reproductive justice, community building, and reclaiming African ways of being. As Latham beautifully articulates, "It's not enough to survive—our birthright is transcendence.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

In this profoundly personal season opener, host David Johns sits down with his first teacher—his mother, Edith Johns—to explore the foundations of advocacy, resilience, and love. Mama Johns shares her journey from experiencing childhood trauma to becoming a fierce advocate for her children, fighting educational injustice with lawyers in tow when necessary. With remarkable candor, she discusses her path to acceptance, the challenges of single motherhood, and her recent discovery of peace at age 68.This conversation starts our season 'Rooted Resistance: Ancestral Wisdom for Revolutionary Times,' centered on lessons from mothers and maternal figures who've shaped us. Through laughter, vulnerability, and generations of wisdom, this episode reminds us that our collective liberation begins with healing our relationships and showing up fully for one another, especially in challenging times.Whether you're a parent, a child, or both, this episode offers powerful lessons about advocating for the next generation while finding your path to peace. As fascism threatens our communities, Mama Johns reminds us that fierce love is our most powerful weapon.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

In this season finale of Teach The Babies, Dr. David J. Johns welcomes power couple Michelle Molitor and Caroline Hill for a profound conversation about the revolutionary potential of community. These visionary educators and equity champions share their journey from meeting in a principal training program to becoming partners in both purpose and love. Together, they explore how to "flatten hierarchies without flattening people" and remind us that in times of political uncertainty, our collective power remains undiminished.This capstone conversation weaves together the season's central themes: the courage to dream in Afrofuturistic colors, the necessity of equitable education, and the radical potential of loving community. Listeners will leave inspired by their practical strategies for "seeding disruption" and creating environments where everyone is seen as enough because they exist. Join us for this inspiring finale as we close Season 2 and look ahead to new explorations in Season 3. As Caroline reminds us, "We cannot take our humanity for granted" - a fitting conclusion to a season dedicated to defending democracy and expanding equity through education.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

I bet cash, US dollars, that you've heard “Don't Say Gay,” but have you met the leader behind the truth-anchored reframing of a Florida bill (HB 1577) designed to prevent us from honoring that people be gay (in my Quinta Brunson voice). Civil Rights activist Nadine Smith stops by class to talk about how much we've gained in the fights for racial equity and LGBTQ+ equality, why she founded Equality Florida, a statewide advocacy organization she continues to lead, in 1997, and she drops gems to help us all get closer to freedom including the importance of returning home to lead and having a local and state political strategy, looking to history for lessons to win the future, and organizing in community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Leave it to the babies to stop by class to teach us the importance of staying woke. Hobbes Chukumba is a STEAM-loving scholar who helped organize the national trans prom when he was sixteen. Hobbes and his father, Stephen, provide a master class on the importance of sacrificing to do our part so that the opposition does not win and the importance of appreciating one another's humanity. They want us to remember that when we come together, there's nothing we can't do and provide tangible strategies to get closer to freedom and center joy in the process.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Daniel Trujillo is a seventeen-year-old Chicano high school student from Tucson, Arizona, who is most known for being one of the creators and four organizers of Trans Prom. He's been advocating for trans rights for most of his young life. Daniel and his rockstar momadvocate stop by the class to talk about the toll that forced political interruptions take on a family, the importance of supporting trans joy in action, and what it's like to be required to teach your peers while trying to be educated at school.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

What do you know about trans joy? On this podcast episode, we're joined by Vanessa Ford, an award-winning educator, author, and parent and Rebecca Kling, an educator, organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change. The two talk about their collaboration to publish “The Advocate Educator's Handbook: Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive” and the lessons they've learned working with educators, parents, and adults to encourage expansive resistance, remembering the importance of community and the politics of passing. Trump Is Rolling Back Protections for Transgender Students. What Educators Can Do https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-trump-is-rolling-back-protections-for-transgender-students-what-educators-can-do/2025/01 www.jrandvanessaford.com www.theadvocateeducator.com VanessaFordDCwww.RebeccaKling.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Rainbow In Black is a non-profit organization that provides unwavering support, resources, and advocacy for Black families of transgender and gender-diverse youth. Sonia Bell and Keisha Murphy, two of the organization's three founders and operators, join the class to discuss the importance of creating community, advocating and showing up for all the babies, and addressing church hurt and hypocrisy.  They remind us that acceptance does not require understanding, break down what “gender diverse” means, and talk about organizations like Gender Cool that work alongside Rainbow In Black and NBJC to ensure that YOU have everything you need so we all get free! https://www.rainbowinblack.org/ https://gendercool.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

If you're still thinking about the significance of home or getting a DNA test to know where your people are from, this episode is for YOU. Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry Inc., joined the class to discuss the company's pioneering efforts to ensure African descendants throughout the diaspora are empowered with information about the communities we come from and can contribute to, what distinguishes them from other companies that profit from selling our genetic information while also lacking the range to provide us with meaningful information in the exchange, and the power we can draw from having meaningful information about who we are and where we draw strength from.African Ancestry is offering a 10% discount on its DNA testing kits as a gift to the class. Visit AfricanAncestry.Com/Discount and use the code “TeachTheBabies” to activate the offerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Are you at the point where you're ready to flip tables? If not, what will it take for you to grow there? Our sister, Alencia Johnson, the self-proclaimed accidental entrepreneur, stops by the class to talk to us about the lessons learned from producing her debut novel, “Flip The Tables, a guide for everyday disruptors to find the courage, disrupt the status quo and create a better world, right where they are.” We discuss what she learned working on four presidential election campaigns, creating the “Stand With Black Women” branding and framework at Planned Parenthood, how the personal is political, and our responsibility to play BIG! www.Flipthetables.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Andre 3000 told us the South has something to say, and Dr. Christina Greer wants us to heed the lessons that Black women political leaders from the South are teaching us. Dr. Greer stops by the class to talk about her latest publication, “How to Build a Democracy. From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams,” and what it means to grow beyond fear, to build upon foundations established by our ancestors, being prepared to thrive at Historically White Colleges and Universities, the importance of political tithing and not waiting for America to grow up fully–she may never.  How to Build a Democracy. From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/how-to-build-a-democracy/F34AB82F40A6FFD835D39C8AF46DA530 Instagram: @dr_cmgreerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Too often, we celebrate moments like holidays without holding space for the grief that comes for many of us. Advocate, attorney, and herstory making Florida State Representative Michel Rayner stops by the class to talk about how love shows up in her work, learning to live without your parents as anchors in the physical form, and the importance of having chosen family–folks who create space for you like attorney Ben Crump who wrote a check for Michele's future and post-dated it for when she was brave enough to bet on herself. E-mail info@nbjc.org “GTN: Good Trouble Network” for more. Michel Rayner For Florida https://micheleforflorida.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

If James Baldwin and Toni Morrison had a literary baby, it would be Robert Jones Jr. He stops by the class to discuss what he learned about love from writing his debut novel, The Prophets. The New York Times Bestselling book shares the romance and love between two enslaved same-gender loving men on a plantation in the American South and a parallel story of Kosii and Elewa, who live and love in a place farther than the past on the African continent.Robert discusses the importance of permitting yourself to love and interrogating the pleasure in bigotry. He also discusses the importance of witnessing, writing, and harnessing our superpowers. The episode celebrates caring and compassionate adults who invest in us, open windows, and expose us to mirrors so that we can explore who we are in this world we didn't ask to be born into. Witness Substack: https://robertjonesjr.substack.com/ Jordan Neelyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jordan_Neely Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

In case you missed it, as the new Texas state legislative session commenced on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Jones, one of the first Black same-gender loving men to serve in the state house, got down on one knee and proposed to his longtime partner, Gregory Scott Jr., moments after being sworn in at the State Capitol in Austin. Rep. Jones stops by the class to talk about the responsibility of elected office,, the importance of going back home to lea,d, the importance of love, afrofuturistic dreams that include family, and finding and creating safe and soft places. There's some School House Rock revisiting how a bill becomes a law and the importance of sustained legislative and civic engagement. This episode is bound up on knowing love–love of yourself, love of community, and love of family.  We pray you know love.E-mail info@nbjc.org “GTN: Good Trouble Network” for more.  Rep. Jones, Venton - District 100 https://house.texas.gov/members/4275 Venton Jones: https://www.ventonfor100.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Warning" This episode discusses self-harm.On April 18, 2019, 15-year-old Nigel Shelby died by suicide in response to constant homophobic, anti-Black bullying at school. His mother, Camika Shelby, stops by the class to discuss keeping Nigel's legacy as he celebrates his 21st birthday (2/1) with our ancestors.  Camika reminds us of the importance of everyone using every available resource to support our babies.  She says that if a child doesn't have a safe space at home, they will go looking for it elsewhere. She provides lessons she's learned, including through loss and in grief, for caring and compassionate adults. Listen to the episode and read her book, “A Need for Nigel.”  National Suicide Hotline 988Camika Shelby- Facebook@longlivenigelshelby- Instagram Iamnigelshelby- Facebook group page Website. www.thenigelshelbyfoundation.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Ask anyone in DC for recommendations for disability advocates, and they'll likely name Dara Baldwin. She works within the Disability Justice movement to end racism and systems of oppression. She served as the Director of National Policy for the Center for Disability Rights, Inc., and Senior Policy Analyst at National Disability Rights Network.  She has worked on over 25 bills signed into law by five Presidents. She stops by the class to discuss the most important lessons learned in fighting for disability justice for all!Baldwin, Dara. To Be A Problem: A Black Woman's Survival in the Racist Disability Rights (July 2024).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Survival, friendship, acceptance, and love are themes that thread this episode together. Angela Rye, political strategist, culture architect, entrepreneur and Dr. Johns' twin, joins the class to process what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life and legacy have to teach us in this moment: the importance of engaging in rituals that soothe and restore you, including building with friends who challenge you.  The two Capitol Hill veterans discuss lessons they learned, including the critical role of the Congressional Black Caucus and building IMPACT to increase political, civic engagement, and economic empowerment among young professionals.  The friends and political strategists debate if there are limits to liberal progressivism, how we ensure the safety of every member of our beautifully diverse community, and how we will measure success toward collective freedom and liberation. #MLK: But, If Not https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-kgkeuNOB4 Native Land Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/native-land-pod/id1724078118Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Brother Brother Baba Ron Walker has more tham 50 years of experience as a teacher, principal, staff developer, and consultant. He is the founding and retired executive director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color. He joins the class to discuss lessons learned from educating Black Boys and being educated by Black people who love Black people.  Walker, Ron. Solomon's Plan's A Gift of Education from a Father to His Son. https://www.americanreadingathome.com/bookstore/book/9781640532809/ Walker, Ron. Delores's Dream. https://www.americanreadingathome.com/bookstore/book/9781648515842/ Website:ronwalkerbooks.comCoalition of Schools Educating Boys of Colocoseboc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Brother Baba Christopher “Chris” Chatmon is the visionary founder and CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland, an award-winning nonprofit that elevates Black boys' educational and life outcomes nationwide. He stops by class to talk about the work he pioneered as the inaugural Executive Director of African American Male Achievement at Oakland Unified School District, the first of its kind nationally within a public school district, and lessons learned along the way–including the importance of making space to support non-binary and gender-expansive young people. We also celebrate the life and legacy of Civil Rights & Education Advocate Oscar C. Wright.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Dr. Johns and your favorite auntie's DJ Eugene “Grovvy Gene” Brown reflect upon what they're most thankful for, what they're leaving in 2024, and are most excited about experiencing in the New Year. Eugene also shares the five songs that will absolutely be featured on his New Years Eve playlist. Does his playlist match yours?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Let's be honest: this Holiday season doesn't hit the same. This session holds space for processing all of the feelings washing over us.  Dr. Johns reflects on the origins of the pod in search of lessons to survive under legislated sub-humanization.  He processes out loud messages shared by ancestors like James Baldwin, who names the rage those of us who are relatively conscious are righteous in feeling and Fannie Lou Hamer, who reminds us that none of us are free unless and until all of us are free.  He also shares grounding books, including Michael Singer's The Untethered Soul, Sonbufu Some's The Spirit of Intimacy and Bayard Rustin's FBI Files.  Toplines and takeaways include guarding your joy and owning your power; celebrating that we have nothing to lose but our chains (shout out to Assata); finding safety and security in community; and remaining focused on Black Facts, including we're much closer to freedom than they want us to believe. Black Facts www.nbjc.org/BlackFacts Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Few people know the responsibilities of leading one of the nation's largest school systems or innovating a tech company to teach African American history and culture. Kaya Henderson stops by the class to discuss the lessons learned while innovating across sectors to ensure that poor Black students can access the resources affluent white students may demand and take for granted.  Kaya shares advice for leaders working in supportive positions, discusses plans for a new venture she's building WITH young people, and talks about the politics of leadership.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Stephen Chukumba is a trusted voice on issues of race, gender, and intersectionality. He stops by class to share some of the lessons he learned along his parenting journey, including the importance of mourning the loss of the life you imagine for your child to make space for the one they design and celebrating your child's wins. Stephen talks about the first-ever Trans Prom, which took place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Netflix documentary short, The Dads, and being a dope-ass father.Rainbow in Black- dedicated to providing unwavering support, resources, and advocacy for Black families of transgender and gender-diverse youth.The Dads (2023): Five fathers of trans children join Dennis Shepard—the father of Matthew Shepard—for a weekend fishing trip. On this trip, they find common ground across racial, geographical and generational lines: their unconditional love for their children.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Land ownership is our birthright, and we are NOT our labor. These are central themes in Brea Baker's debut novel, Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership. In this episode, we unpack our inability to work out the racial wealth gap caused by land theft and forced labor, the cost of Black women being forced to work, and the importance of being connected to and respecting the land. Brea reminds us to “see what the land teaches you” and explains why, in love.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Did you know that structural determinants of health determine 60% of our health and that zip codes are among the strongest predictors of health, among other important life outcomes? These are facts, and it is essential to investigate how algorithmic biases appear in medicine and health care. #RaceBasedMedicine. Dr. Alisha Liggett, MD, joins the class to teach us how the environment influences health outcomes, how sex and gender are conflated, how stigma and discrimination impact most of us, and the importance of community in ensuring we can all thrive.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

During today's Office Hours, we address the critical issue of hate crimes against Black queer men and Black trans women.On October 17, 2024, Daqua Lameek Ritter was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Dime Doe, a Black transgender woman. This landmark case is the first guilty verdict under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act aimed at protecting transgender people.Dime Doe's story highlights the disproportionate violence faced by Black Queer communities. As we recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, let's honor those lost to hate and work towards a future where everyone can live safely and freely.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Be advised, this sepisode includes a brief, but frank discussion about sex education, including online pornography.Have YOU had sex education? Yes, YOU, no, seriously? Think about the consequences of miseducation when it comes to sex, gender, development and everything in between. Dr. Ed Brockenbrough explains how a lack of gender, sexuality, and sex education in schools can leave students miseducated.  Dr. Brockenbrough, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, breaks down the importance of comprehensive sex education, the consequences of operating out of fear, and how we can all do better by our students.  Brockenbrough, Edward. "Queer of color critique." Critical concepts in queer studies and education: An international guide for the twenty-first century (2016): 285-297.Brockenbrough, Ed. Learning While Black and Queer: Understanding the Educational Experiences of Black LGBTQ+ Youth. Harvard Education Press, 2024.Black Men Teaching in Urban Schools: Reassessing Black Masculinity by Ed Brockenbrough

bell hooks reminds us that each generation must defend democracies and that education is its midwife–it being education. In this episode, David is joined by Cici Battle and Tylik McMillan to bring the group chat reflections on the state of things following the most recent presidential election to life. If you too are angry, struggling to make sense of where we are and how we got here, have curiosity about how Black people on the continent are judging us or what it was like to work for the Democratic party and on the campaign trail THIS is one episode you don't want to miss.

In this exciting return episode of Teach The Babies Office Hours, we welcome back Brittany Packnett Cunningham, a leading voice in culture, justice, and policy. After closing out Season 1, Brittany shares her insights on the recent presidential election and its impact on our communities, especially as a mother of a young Black boy.She discusses the vital narratives surrounding anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Black legislation and offers advice for Black mothers navigating these uncertain times. Brittany also shares what listeners can expect from the new season of her acclaimed podcast Undistracted.Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom and encouragement to find joy amid the challenges we face!

In this engaging episode of Teach The Babies Office Hours, Dr. Raquel Martin, a pioneer in Black mental health and liberation psychology, joins Dr. David J. Johns for a lively, laughter-filled conversation. Together, they explore the pressing challenges following the recent presidential election, emphasizing the importance of community healing and the impact of political environments on mental health, particularly for parents and educators. Dr. Martin shares actionable strategies for navigating stress and fatigue while encouraging a commitment to ethical living. Listeners are invited to seek good therapy that promotes growth beyond the session and to build supportive communities. Join us for an enlightening discussion filled with joy, respect, and professional insights as we empower ourselves and our children in these turbulent times.Thema Bryant- https://drthema.com/ Podcast Episode Mocha Moms- https://www.mochamoms.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1Girl Trek- https://www.girltrek.org/ 

For Brianna Baker, founder of Justice 4 Black Girls, these words are more than a motto; they are a mission.  This proud Spelman Alumna, classroom educator, curriculum developer, and BOSS joins the class to share the experiences that led to founding an organization dedicated to ensuring justice for Black girls.  Top lines include Black girl barretts and revolutionary dreams; honoring and protecting Black girlhood; the power of connection and community (including HBCUs like Spelman College); and what Black men and boys can do to support Black women and girls.

In this compelling episode of Office Hours, host Dr. David J. Johns welcomes renowned scholar, author, and activist Marc Lamont Hill for an in-depth discussion on the pressing issues surrounding the Middle East and the complicity of the U.S. government and both major political parties in shaping the conditions that led up to October 7, 2023.Marc offers a master class on the region's historical and political context, highlighting how systemic issues have influenced current events. Together, they explore the importance of adopting an asset-based mindset and leveraging proven strategies that have historically moved us closer to freedom and justice for all.Additionally, Marc discusses the significance of the Green Party and the potential that third-party options hold for creating a more inclusive political landscape.Join us for this enlightening conversation as we unpack these critical themes and examine how we can advocate for change and engage more effectively in the political process.Don't forget to check your voter registration status and create a plan to vote on or before November 5th. Every voice matters in the pursuit of equity and justice!Hill, M. L. (2016). Nobody: Casualties of America's war on the vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and beyond. Simon and Schuster.Hill, M. L. (2020). We still here: Pandemic, policing, protest, & possibility. Haymarket Books.

CEO, author, media commentator, fantastic husband, father, and friend of the class Joshua DuBois stops by the class to discuss being our first Black President's (Barack Hussein Obama, don't play) spiritual advisor; lessons learned bringing together community leaders from across the ideological spectrum to tackle some of the nation's most significant challenges; and things his children teach him and his wife. Joshua honors the life and legacy of Amadou Diallo, who inspired his advocacy and activism–in faith–and the power of technology to fuel diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts globally.https://www.instagram.com/heydubois/https://wearevalues.comhttps://gauge.ai/https://x.com/joshuadubois

In this episode of Teach The Babies, host Dr. David J. Johns is joined for office hours by renowned journalist, author, and cultural commentator Clay Cane. Together, they dive deep into the pressing issues surrounding the current presidential election, exploring the critical role of Black voters and otherwise Queer constituents in shaping the political landscape.Cane takes us on a historical journey through the evolution of Black Republicanism, revealing how the Republican Party transformed into a refuge for racists and how some Black Republicans have aligned themselves with white supremacy to secure power.Join us in this urgent and informative episode as we explore how to reclaim our narratives, empower our communities, and ensure our voices are heard in the upcoming elections and beyond. Let's teach the babies—that includes ourselves—about the power of political engagement regardless of political party affiliation!Remember to check your voter registration status and create a plan to vote on or before November 5th. Your voice matters!Cane, C. (2024). The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump. Sourcebooks, Inc.. Key facts about Black eligible voters in 2024 https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/10/key-facts-about-black-eligible-voters-in-2024/ (Documentary) Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn (2023)

Tina Turner famously sang, " What's love got to do with it?” Educators in meaningful relationships with their students know love is the answer to this question is Love. Love is at the center of Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz's pedagogy, and is also at the center of this conversation between educators who understand the power of love. Questions fueling this conversation include: Where did you catch sense (or learn who and whose you are)? What is your racial literacy? What do you believe? Which children are you teaching (and what are you teaching them)? And do you have the capacity to love? Parents, educators, and people in relationships with young people will want to bookmark this episode. Dillard, Cynthia B. "The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen: Examining an endarkened feminist epistemology in educational research and leadership." International journal of qualitative studies in education 13.6 (2000): 661-681.Sealey-Ruiz, Yolanda. "The critical literacy of race: Toward racial literacy in urban teacher education." Handbook of urban education. Routledge, 2021. 281-295.Sealey-Ruiz, Yolanda. "An archaeology of self for our times: Another talk to teachers." English Journal 111.5 (2022): 21-26.https://www.yolandasealeyruiz.com/academicbooks-yolandasealeyruiz, TEDx Talk: https://www.yolandasealeyruiz.com/tedxtalk

In addition to our regularly scheduled class, we're adding office hours. These office hours will feature election-specific content.  Sometimes, it'll be just me, and sometimes, I'll invite thoughtful people who also care about and spend time working to understand, defend, and expand democracy to join me. The goal is to cut through some of the dis-information, misinformation, and straight-up BS (that's the technical term) to ensure that we all have fact-based information to use as those of us who can exercise our right to vote and empower and support others in doing the same. We kick off our Teach The Babies office hours by reviewing crucial facts about Black-eligible voters.

There is something powerful about educators who are committed to introducing children to the genius in them.  Dr. Chris Emdin is a genius personified, and this intellectual cipher between two intellectual powerhouses who love Black people, teach the babies, and defend democracy is anchored by the freedom to dream and the importance of having safe and supportive spaces to nurture our dreams.Dr. Emdin earned his PhD in urban education with a concentration in Mathematics, Science, and Technology to birth the #HipHopEd social media movement, wrote books for “White For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood, and the Rest of Yall, too,” (yup, that's the book title, get into it), and helps all of us get closer to freedom, faster.As Dr. Emdin says, “Science is the ultimate, hybridized knowledge,” and he breaks down why.  This conversation between colleagues and friends celebrates the best part of Afro-Futuristic dreaming and system design, the trappings of white supremacy in public schools and policy-making, and the critical role that words and affirmation play in surviving white supremacy.Emdin, Christopher. For White folks who teach in the hood... and the rest of y'all too: Reality pedagogy and urban education. Beacon Press, 2016.Emdin, Christopher. Ratchetdemic: Reimagining academic success. Beacon Press, 2021.Givens, Jarvis R. Fugitive pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the art of Black teaching. Harvard University Press, 2021.

This episode also features the story of Barbara Johns–no relation–the 16-year-old high school student who organized a student-led protest when her teachers dismissed her concerns about poor facilities and shabby equipment.

Host Dr. David J. Johns reflects upon the inaugural season of this podcast and the lessons learned in producing it. He discusses the best parts of teaching in this medium, which include the community that's been cultivated, the conversations had both those recorded and inspired by what's aired, and the Afro-futuristic anchored freedom dreams that are strengthening schools, communities, and democracy.  He thanks the community created through this virtual class offering, which includes YOU, the listening audience, the faculty, the co-teachers who graced the class with their wisdom and administration, and co-producers Thomas Cunningham and Emily Leugers.

Brittany Paknett Cunningham is an educator, activist, writer, award-winning podcaster, leader, mother, and friend. She is an NBC News and MSNBC Political Analyst and host of UNDISTRACTED, a news and justice podcast with an intersectional lens on the world. This series concluding episode of the inaugural season of this podcast invites listeners to the freedom dream with one of our generation'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. Listen to Brittany Packnett Cunningham's Undisdtracted podcast.

Can you imagine walking out of fourth grade in protest against white supremacy and racism? Dr. John B. Diamond did exactly that before becoming a sociologist studying race and education. He's not alone, did you know about Barbara Johns and the 1951 student walkout in Farmville, VA? In this episode, we break down the relationship between social inequality and educational opportunity, revisit what DuBois described as the color line, and Derrick A. Bell noted as the permanence of white supremacy and anti-Blackness, describe what Brown and the NAACP got wrong,  unpack the consequences of distortions and failures (including Black educators losing the ability to teach), discuss the cost of integrating Black students into hostile environments, and the value of what Dr. Jarvis Giving termed “Fugitive Pedagogy” and libratory spaces that are supportive of Black and other non-white, non-privileged students thriving. Educators, system leaders, policymakers, and legal-activist/scholars will want to bookmark this episode.  Despite the Best Intentions: How Inequality Thrives in Good Schools 2022 Brown Lecture in Education Research https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqAC4GoBBww Distributed Leadership in Practice (Critical Issues in Educational Leadership Series) by John B. Diamond and James P. Spillane (Editor), John B. Diamond (Editor), & 1 more

This would only be a Dr. David J. Johns production if the perspective and experiences of a student were centered.  This episode features Oceanne–a brilliant non-binary/gender fluid middle school student who talks about the reality of being othered and what it really means to be “normal,” the (un)learning unspoken school and societal rules, and finding your purpose and passion.  Their mother, Christine Ruiz, an entrepreneur, business owner, and fierce defender of her babies' ability to thrive, talks about the importance of finding support, working through the desire to control, and allowing your children to challenge you to stretch and grow.  This episode celebrates the power of Black women and their nurturing love, the importance of good therapy, and unschooling as a decolonizing movement.

In this bonus episode, we dive into two significant stories that illuminate the complexities of race, identity, and possibilities for Black children. Our journey takes us back to the 1940s and then forward to the present, where we will explore the groundbreaking work of psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, as well as the narrative of Black Barbie, brought to life by director Ava DuVernay. The experiences of Black children, both in the 1940s and today, are shaped by societal views of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. We must continue to engage in conversations about racism, anti-Blackness, identity, orientation, and expression, and the importance of representation in all aspects of life—from education to play. Acknowledging this not only empowers children today but also sets the stage for a more equitable future. Let's all get free!Credit: Emily Leugers and Niko Feliciano, with production support.

Naomi Shelton is nationally known and respected as a vocal advocate for quality choice options for Black and Brown students and families. She currently serves as CEO of the 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? Tap into this episode to grapple with these questions and more.

This episode features a book talk conversation where Dr. Johns interviews author Brian Rashad Fuller about his latest publication, Being Black In America's Schools.  The conversation, which took place on James Baldwin's Centennial Birthday draws inspiration from the prolific witness and writer, touches on the apologies that educators owe their students, the process of unlearning trauma taught in public schools, and the process of learning that teaching is political.

Maia Blankenship  is a mother, career educator, and proud Spelman University Alumna. She helped found Wildflower Schools in 2021 and is the co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund. Have you ever wondered what happens at Montessori schools and if they're suitable 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.

Bobby Edwards is the director of community inclusion and external relations at the McLean School.  His current role calls for constant engagement with our community to develop and implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.  This episode describes 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.

Judith Browne Dianis is the Executive Director of the Advancement Project National Office. She's served as a lawyer, professor, and civil rights advocate for the movement for racial justice for decades, including at the NAACP-LDF.  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? 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.

Dr. Christina Grant is the DC State Superintendent of Education for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. She is a system leader, researcher, and highly sought-after public speaker with decades of receipts for improving life opportunities and outcomes for children and families across the country. If you've ever wondered what a superintendent is responsible for or why it's important to support Black women educators, you'll want to bookmark this episode.

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers is the Executive Director at GLSEN, a national nonprofit working to ensure public education is safe and affirming for all students, including those who identify as and are assumed to be queer, trans, or gender expansive.  Our conversation explores why it's essential to say gay, bi, trans, and other words that have held important meanings before being politicized while ensuring that all students have access to adults who are competent and compassionate. Melanie discusses the work of GLSEN, which is incredibly important considering recent increases in anti-LGBTQ legislation targeting students, schools, and democracy.