Podcasts about achievempls

Presenter: Jeannine Erickson, Writer's Room Manager, 826 MSP Jeannine Erickson from the arts education nonprofit 826 MSP discusses the importance of creating anti-racist and anti-oppressionist “third spaces” to support students in the classroom and other settings, such as the organization's Writer's Room at South High School. The creation of “third space” is rooted in abolitionist teaching practices and requires loving accountability, de-stigmatization of mental health, and de-centering of whiteness to truly support youth people in life and education. In her EDTalk, Jeannine shares how third space that is rooted in community-building, Afro-futurist theories and teachings, and decolonizing the lives, minds, and dreamscape of historically marginalized folks, can reshape and provide opportunities for rebirth for all young people, regardless of race or racial identity. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on March 28, 2022. It was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Hannah Planalp, Program Manager, Foster Advocates People who have experienced foster care face a unique set of education challenges for both K-12 and postsecondary school. Even though only 41% of Minnesota Fosters are able to graduate from high school, over 80% still want to go to college. For Fosters who are moving out of the child welfare system, postsecondary education is especially critical for their transition to adulthood. In this EDTalk, Hannah Planalp from Foster Advocates shares her personal stories of being a Foster and the mentor who supported her journey to college and a full scholarship. She also introduces Minnesota's new Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants Program, which covers the full cost of attendance for Fosters at accredited schools. Throughout her talk, she shares data and insights from Foster leaders that broaden the conversation around foster care and education. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on March 28, 2022. It was emceed by Adia Morris.

This episode of Queering Community Health is about the process of searching for colleges as an LGBTQ+/queer person, as well as the facilities and policies currently put in place at various colleges. Four guests by the name of Ava, Zoey Haines, MC, and t. aaron hans are interviewed, each having a different perspective on this topic.Ava (she/her) is a current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education. Zoey Haines (she/her) is the College and Career Readiness Coordinator at Central Highschool through a non-profit organization by the name of AchieveMPLS, which is a Minneapolis based organization that focuses on community support and equitable access to different types of post secondary education and career opportunities.  MC (she/they) is another current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education.t. aaron hans (he/him/ze/hir) is the Sexualities & Gender Diversity Programs Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Hamline University, but also has prior experience within LGBTQ+ spaces as a leader and advocate. RESOURCES:-        AchieveMPLS-        Hamline University's Sexuality and Gender Diversity Programs-        Campus Pride Index-        Niche.com-        Trans and Non-binary Student Resource Guide-        Trans Student Education Resources (TSER)-        Consortium of Higher Education - LGBT Resource Professionals-        My Life My QuitFURTHER READINGS-        LGBTQ Students on Campus - Higher Education Today-        Why LGBTQ inclusivity still matters in higher education - The Conversation-        Policy Recommendations to Support LGBTQ Students - GLSEN-        Transitions Into, and Through, Higher Education: The Lived Experiences of Students Who Identify as LGBTQ+ - Glazzard, Jindal-Snape, StonesCREDITSIntro/Outro music was made by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky on InstagramCover art and other background music was made by Ruben Hendricks or @spooktrook on Instagram

This episode of Queering Community Health is about the process of searching for colleges as an LGBTQ+/queer person, as well as the facilities and policies currently put in place at various colleges. Four guests by the name of Ava, Zoey Haines, MC, and t. aaron hans are interviewed, each having a different perspective on this topic. Ava (she/her) is a current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education.  Zoey Haines (she/her) is the College and Career Readiness Coordinator at Central Highschool through a non-profit organization by the name of AchieveMPLS, which is a Minneapolis based organization that focuses on community support and equitable access to different types of post secondary education and career opportunities.   MC (she/they) is another current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education. t. aaron hans (he/him/ze/hir) is the Sexualities & Gender Diversity Programs Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Hamline University, but also has prior experience within LGBTQ+ spaces as a leader and advocate.  RESOURCES: -        AchieveMPLS -        Hamline University's Sexuality and Gender Diversity Programs -        Campus Pride Index -        Niche.com -        Trans and Non-binary Student Resource Guide -        Trans Student Education Resources (TSER) -        Consortium of Higher Education - LGBT Resource Professionals -        My Life My Quit FURTHER READINGS -        LGBTQ Students on Campus - Higher Education Today -        Why LGBTQ inclusivity still matters in higher education - The Conversation -        Policy Recommendations to Support LGBTQ Students - GLSEN -        Transitions Into, and Through, Higher Education: The Lived Experiences of Students Who Identify as LGBTQ+ - Glazzard, Jindal-Snape, Stones CREDITS Intro/Outro music was made by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky on Instagram Cover art and other background music was made by Ruben Hendricks or @spooktrook on Instagram

Almost every area of the human brain is required to engage in music-making. Student musicians do better in school, have higher attendance, graduation and test rates, and learn key 21st century workplace skills. It's time to stop treating music education as optional and understand its critical importance in every child's development, especially those from historically under-resourced communities. Musician, evaluator and educator Sara Zara Zanussi presents research on how integrating music from the beginning of every child's development can actually rewire neurological pathways, increase student engagement and performance, and help close our education opportunity gaps. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on February 23, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.

Presenter: Laichia Vang, High School Student and Activist, Roseville Area High School Our cultural identity is strongly intertwined with our native language. So what happens when that language gets lost or diminished? High school activist Laichia Vang (she/they) is a native Hmong speaker who experienced the erasure of her native Hmong language while participating in English Language Learners (ELL) classes. In her talk, she explores this common experience that is shared by many students of color and others for whom English is not their first language. They also identify ways that our education systems must support and advocate for multilingual students and families by understanding what is at stake when language is lost. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on February 23, 2022. It was emceed by Amanda Koonjbeharry.

This EDTalks is titled “PSEO As a Bridge from High School to College” Our featured speaker is Maria Wright. Maria is director of dual enrollment at St. Cloud State University. Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) – also known as dual enrollment – provides an affordable way for high school students to experience college and earn college credit by completing courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. PSEO has grown rapidly in Minnesota over the past twenty years, but there are wide gaps in participation between white students and students of color, English language learners and low-income students. A former PSEO participant at South High School, she's passionate about increasing postsecondary education access for students of color, students from lower socioeconomic status and first-generation college students. Maria has also worked as assistant registrar at Troy University in Alabama and in various roles at the University of Minnesota's College in the Schools concurrent enrollment program. She earned her MBA at Augsburg University and is currently completing a doctoral program in higher education at St. Cloud State University. Maria will draw on her experience as a PSEO participant and higher education leader to discuss the great benefits of PSEO and how it can help close education equity gaps by providing a bridge between high school and postsecondary education. As an advocate for young scholars, she argues that we must challenge current paradigms around PSEO, particularly the way it is funded. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on January 20th, 2022. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This EDTalks is titled “How PSEO is a Game-Changer for High School Students” Our featured speakers are Asiya Browne and Zeke Jackson. Asiya Browne is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, where she's studying sociology of law, criminology and deviance, and Asian and Middle Eastern studies with a focus in Arabic. She serves on the board of People for PSEO, where she works to connect more students to PSEO through outreach and policy work. Zeke Jackson is a junior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in finance and political science. He serves as executive director of People for PSEO, working hard to inform families about PSEO, lower barriers to PSEO enrollment, advocate for strong PSEO policies and build a statewide PSEO community. As high school students, Asiya and Zeke participated in PSEO, taking college classes and earning credit at no cost. Now both are University of Minnesota students and leaders in People for PSEO, a nonprofit that works to increase visibility about the many benefits of PSEO and increase participation, particularly by students of color. Asiya and Zeke believe that PSEO is a powerful tool that can help break cycles of poverty, close education disparity gaps and reduce student debt. They will share their personal experiences of PSEO, how the program helped them find their voice and become more confident advocates, and the importance of lowering barriers to access PSEO and ensure that students succeed while they are in the program. This virtual EDTalk was live streamed online on January 20th, 2022. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

Presenter: Sara Spafford Freeman, Consultant, SFF Strategies and community organizer | December 8, 2021 Sara Spafford Freeman is a community organizer, parent and author of "Apartheid in Minneapolis: Racial Disparities in Five Local Systems." Sara has extensively studied PTAs and parent fundraising within Minneapolis Public Schools and argues that current systems perpetuate vast racial disparities. In this talk, she shared insight and data on how antiquated state funding models, school choice and segregation have resulted in stark inequities within districts like MPS, and the myriad ways parent fundraising contributes to widening these gaps. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Amal Karim, Impact Officer, The Constellation Fund | December 8, 2021 Philanthropy and education is a complicated mix that has a tremendous impact on education equity and access. More than a quarter of charitable giving by wealthy donors goes to education causes, from childhood to postsecondary, and education is very popular among all donors. As a Constellation Fund impact officer, Amal Karim sees first-hand the interesting dynamics between philanthropy and education and the effects on communities. In her talk, she provides a brief overview of philanthropic giving in education and explore current conversations surrounding education funding, race and equity. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls in partnership with the Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Chastity Lord, President & CEO, Jeremiah Program | May 4, 2021. Generational poverty is perpetuated by an ecosystem of unjust policies and correlating structures that disproportionately impact communities of color. Chastity Lord will share her insights on the connections between generational poverty and systemic racism, and how communities that experience poverty have far less access to quality education and other basic services. She will also demonstrate how education can disrupt the cycle of generational poverty through a focus on career-track college education, high-quality early childhood education, empowerment and life skills training, and supportive communities. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Presenter: Ini Augustine, Founder, Project Nandi | May 4, 2021. Technology was designed by and for white people to the detriment of BIPOC people and experiences in all areas of life. Ini Augustine will discuss white supremacy in the technology field and how it impacts education, particularly for children of color. She’ll share her lived experiences as a Black woman in hostile educational and workplace environments, and her work as founder of Project Nandi, which is restoring educational access to children of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. She will also map the ways that the digital divide harms children of color by criminalizing them, keeping them in poverty, and excluding them from education – traumas that all carry into adulthood. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation. Video editing by Jeff Achen at http://www.callsign51.com​. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​. This event was emceed by Adia Morris.

Step Up youth participants practice job interview skills in mock interviews in preparation for summer internships. Interns will have just completed their Step Up work readiness training. Jeremiah Brown from AchieveMpls talks about the process.

Step Up youth participants practice job interview skills in mock interviews in preparation for summer internships. Interns will have just completed their Step Up work readiness training. Jeremiah Brown from AchieveMpls talks about the process.

Step Up youth participants practice job interview skills in mock interviews in preparation for summer internships. Interns will have just completed their Step Up work readiness training. Jeremiah Brown from AchieveMpls talks about the process.

Ashley Grell is the Step Up Manager of Employer Engagement from AchieveMpls. She talks about an upcoming event on Feb. 24 for employers seeking student interns.

Ashley Grell is the Step Up Manager of Employer Engagement from AchieveMpls. She talks about an upcoming event on Feb. 24 for employers seeking student interns.

Ashley Grell is the Step Up Manager of Employer Engagement from AchieveMpls. She talks about an upcoming event on Feb. 24 for employers seeking student interns.

Theresa Stets is a Step Up Youth Services Manager for AchieveMpls. Step Up is a program that places students in Minneapolis ages 14-21 in summer internships. The application window is now open.

Theresa Stets is a Step Up Youth Services Manager for AchieveMpls. Step Up is a program that places students in Minneapolis ages 14-21 in summer internships. The application window is now open.

Theresa Stets is a Step Up Youth Services Manager for AchieveMpls. Step Up is a program that places students in Minneapolis ages 14-21 in summer internships. The application window is now open.

Ashley Musana is the Career Exposure Coordinator for AchieveMpls. Ashley talks about upcoming career fairs, the need for volunteers, and how to help students with career and college readiness.

Ashley Musana is the Career Exposure Coordinator for AchieveMpls. Ashley talks about upcoming career fairs, the need for volunteers, and how to help students with career and college readiness.

Ashley Musana is the Career Exposure Coordinator for AchieveMpls. Ashley talks about upcoming career fairs, the need for volunteers, and how to help students with career and college readiness.

There’s a clear connection between academic failure, delinquency and crime. Students who aren’t proficient in reading by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. And students who drop out of high school are over three times more likely to be arrested in their lifetime. When 85% of children in our juvenile court system are not literate, this is a clarion call to action. Dr. Artika Tyner will share strategies to promote literacy and end the school to prison pipeline, and provide details on her new book and community outreach program, Leaders are Readers, which promotes literacy, raises cultural awareness and fosters leadership development. You’ll come away feeling a greater sense of urgency to make change and gain new tools to make a difference in your community. Presenter: Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, author and advocate for justice. A professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, she is founding director of the school’s Center on Race, Leadership and Social Justice, where she trains students to serve as social engineers and create new inroads to justice and freedom. Artika also provides leadership development coaching and resources for young people and adults, organizes policy campaigns, fosters restorative justice practices, develops social entrepreneurship initiatives, and promotes asset-based community development. The founder of Planting People Growing Justice, she has been featured in a variety of media outlets and has received over two dozen awards for her leadership and service from the American Bar Association and several other organizations. This EDTalk was livestreamed on October 5, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by www.callsign51.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

Too often our education systems work to “fix” black male students rather than recognizing the systemic racism inherent in these systems and the tremendous harm they inflict on students. The Minneapolis Public Schools Office of Black Student Achievement (OBSA, formerly Office of Black Male Student Achievement) was created in 2014 to address our city’s wide racial disparities in education and provide targeted support for black students. Director Michael Walker will explore common misperceptions of black males, how these beliefs shape education practices, and how OBSA engages students, families, teachers and community members to provide support, build confidence and change outcomes for these young people. Presenter: Michael Walker is a highly experienced leader in youth development and assisting black youth to achieve success. As the inaugural director for the Office for Black Male Student Achievement (now the Office for Black Student Achievement), he works to expand support and change outcomes for black students in Minneapolis Public Schools. Michael is former assistant principal and dean of students at Roosevelt High School, has served as a Career & College Center coordinator for AchieveMpls, and directed the Black Achievers program at the YMCA of Minneapolis and Greater St. Paul, where he managed programs focusing on social, academic, athletic and employment skills for youth. A graduate of Minneapolis Public Schools, he holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. This EDTalk was livestreamed on October 5, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by www.callsign51.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

Danielle Grant talks about how AchieveMpls is still helping students with college and career readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Danielle Grant talks about how AchieveMpls is still helping students with college and career readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Danielle Grant talks about how AchieveMpls is still helping students with college and career readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AchieveMpls President and CEO Danielle Grant talks about how the organization has pivoted to help students from a distance with college and career readiness. She talks about the Step-Up internship summer program.

AchieveMpls President and CEO Danielle Grant talks about how the organization has pivoted to help students from a distance with college and career readiness. She talks about the Step-Up internship summer program.

AchieveMpls President and CEO Danielle Grant talks about how the organization has pivoted to help students from a distance with college and career readiness. She talks about the Step-Up internship summer program.

Author Junauda Petrus-Nasah shares her journey of researching queerness within Black American and Black Caribbean culture for her young adult novel, The Stars and The Blackness Between Them, which is about queer young Black love across the diaspora, mass incarceration, astrology, ancestral magic, Whitney Houston and trusting your sacredness despite oppression and heartbreak. Junauda’s work is inspired by the absence of examples of herself within popular text as a young person and how that has played out in both her life and her work. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 2, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by https://www.soundspowerful.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

Youth who identify as girls face broad challenges such as sexual harassment, barriers to academic success and unique health disparities, compounded by the intersections of race, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic class. Data shows there is a tremendous need for programming and policies that focus solely on the needs of girls and young women to compensate for the gender stereotypes present in our communities and the gender inequities built into our systems, including the education system. Girls Inc. is a national expert in girls-only and pro-girls programming and inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. In this EDTalk, Louise and Sophie, two youth leaders at Girls Inc. at YWCA Minneapolis, and Elena, Girls Inc. after-school coordinator, talk about what we can all learn about the impacts of gender-specific programming, as well as ways to create pro-girl environments in gendered and co-ed spaces. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 2, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by https://www.soundspowerful.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

This EDTalk is titled “How Debaters Will Save Democracy and Change the World.” Participation in academic debate improves student test scores, grades and graduation rates – and also fosters critical skills that strengthen civic action and agency. In this EDTalk, Amy Cram Helwich explores how academic debate - historically dominated by white, male and wealthy individuals - has now expanded to a much wider range of participants and can help strengthen critical thinking, listening, empathy, problem-solving and advocacy skills. Amy also describes how students from the Minnesota Urban Debate League's Spanish, East African and Financial Literacy debate teams utilize debate skills to create change in their communities. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Videography by Jeff Achen. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

This EDTalk is titled “Igniting Civic Engagement Through Service- Learning.” An informed citizenry is the foundation of a democratic society. Through service-learning experiences, students become informed citizens by researching community needs, identifying projects, connecting with experts on sustainable strategies and applying their academic skills to real-world needs. Service-learning answers the question, "Why do I need to know this?" with students as the drivers of exploration and action. In this EDTalk, Amy Meuers introduces this powerful teaching and learning approach that not only meets the academic, social and emotional needs of students but also addresses the needs of our communities and the world. Amy is chief executive officer of the National Youth Leadership Council, an international nonprofit committed to ensuring that all young people become civically informed and engaged global citizens. An ardent advocate for youth voice, Amy is a social entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience in service-learning, youth development and education. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on February 24, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Videography by Jeff Achen. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.

AchieveMpls is holding mock interviews for students. College & Career Center manager Tiffany Enriquez talks about how you can help prepare students for their future careers.

AchieveMpls is holding mock interviews for students. College & Career Center manager Tiffany Enriquez talks about how you can help prepare students for their future careers.

AchieveMpls is holding mock interviews for students. College & Career Center manager Tiffany Enriquez talks about how you can help prepare students for their future careers.

Step Up from AchieveMpls is recruiting students and employers for internships in summer 2020. Program Manager of Step Up, Erin Martin, stopped by Jazz88 to talk about the process.

Ashley Musana from AchieveMpls stopped by Jazz88 to talk about upcoming career events for high school students in the metro area.

Ashley Musana from AchieveMpls stopped by Jazz88 to talk about upcoming career events for high school students in the metro area.

Ashley Musana from AchieveMpls stopped by Jazz88 to talk about upcoming career events for high school students in the metro area.

Student voice is an essential element for school health, vitality and success. The Voices Framework project team interviews students about key issues such as diversity, race, safety and school culture, and creates videos reflecting these voices and stories. The videos are then presented to school leaders, followed by facilitated conversations that unpack adult narratives and guide participants in examining their pedagogy, beliefs and practices. The Voices Framework is designed to help school leaders get to know their students in a new and authentic way and ensure that they feel valued and respected, which bolsters achievement. Staff from Brooklyn Center Community Schools will share how this process can unlock new ways to improve student achievement and strengthen school culture. Presenters: Josh Fraser, Principal at Brooklyn Center Middle and High School STEAM Ambar Hanson, Community Relationship Officer for the Mortenson Family Foundation Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families program area EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizen's League. Thanks to Bush Foundation and Comcast for their generous financial support.

Artistic expression can be a powerful catalyst for social change and a source of personal power for young people and their families. Since 2008, Washburn Blackbox Theatre has provided a safe space for students from a wide range of backgrounds to make visible the all-too-often invisible voices and stories of urban youth. Student actors engage in a rigorous and unique training program to create, perform and tour original theater that helps break down social barriers and build bridges among themselves and their communities. In this EDTalk, students will speak their truths about public education and how creating original theater can make change both in and out of the classroom. Presenters: Crystal Spring, Washburn High School Theatre Teacher Washburn High School Blackbox Theatre students EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizen's League. Thanks to Bush Foundation and Comcast for their generous financial support.

AchieveMpls CEO Danielle Grant came by the Jazz88 Morning Show to talk about the services AchieveMpls provides to students throughout the year.

AchieveMpls CEO Danielle Grant came by the Jazz88 Morning Show to talk about the services AchieveMpls provides to students throughout the year.

AchieveMpls CEO Danielle Grant came by the Jazz88 Morning Show to talk about the services AchieveMpls provides to students throughout the year.

Shamayne Braman was born in Guyana and immigrated to the United States with her mom and extended family when she was four years old. She lived in an urban center, just outside of Newark New Jersey, where the educational outcomes for students in the school district were bleak. In 6th grade, Shamayne earned a full scholarship to a prestigious private school three towns away, where the communities, teachers, and students differed from me racially and socio-economically. That same year, her mother suffered a massive stroke. The combination of these events at the same time in her life shaped her understanding of inequity as well as a racial and cultural difference. It also taught her two important skills how to maintain her authenticity among very different social contexts and how to keep pushing when faced with an extreme challenge in her case keeping up her grades while watching her mother lose her ability to speak, write, walk, and otherwise live the healthy normal life that shed lived previously. After graduation, Shamayne attended Princeton University where she fell in love with education and social justice and went on to pursue her Masters in education policy and management at Harvard University. Shamayne then joined Teach for America where she returned to the community that she grew up in and spent a few years in the classroom. These were formative professional years for me, where she determined the kind of leader she wanted to be and her commitment to equity solidified. During this time, she met her husband, an educator and school administrator also committed to social justice but with a desire to become a social entrepreneur. The year that she married, they moved to the Twin Cities where he grew up and he started his own real estate business which in addition to residential sales also focuses on reducing housing inequity in the community. She too decided to embark on a new adventure and transitioned from the classroom to Diversity and Inclusion work, in healthcare. It felt paradoxical for her, given the experience that her mother had in the healthcare system as a black woman for Shamayne to work for a hospital system. Each day, Shamayne works to ensure that every patient, member, and colleague not only feel welcomed included and valued when they walk through their doors but that regardless of identity (race, LGBTQ+ identity, socioeconomic status or any other factor), their patients and members get equitable access to quality care and service and help them live happy and healthy lives. Through her work, Shamayne had the opportunity to study at Harvard through the Young American Leaders Program, focusing on cross-sector collaboration to create shared prosperity in their communities. She has been fortunate to be named one of Minneapolis St. Pauls 40 Under 40 Honorees and I'm humbled by the recognition. Shamayne has had the opportunity to serve on boards that advance issues she passionate about including OutFront MNs commitment to LGBTQ people, AchieveMpls advancement of opportunities for Minneapolis Youth, and One Heartlands determination to improve the lives of marginalized young people through summer programming. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Shamayne’s first introduction to the idea that inequalities exist and how to navigate and engage within the different communities helped her become more self-aware How America Corps showed her the inequalities that existed in her community, particularity with children and families of color What health disparities and how it relates to healthcare Why people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community experience worse health outcomes than those who identify as white or those who are not racially diverse Examples of health disparities between women of color compared to women who are white An overview of the work that Shamayne is doing at HealthPartners as it relates to making sure that everyone receives the best quality care as possible The unexplored consequences of not being an inclusive environment from a health equity and diversity inclusion perspective and ways HealthPartners is addressing them through collecting data How having data on those whose English was not their first language has helped HealthPartners become more inclusive and create an opportunity for them to participate more in therapy The top three things that Shamayne advises practitioners wanting to move into diversity and inclusion work specifically in healthcare can do Additional resources: Twitter: @ShamayneBraman Website: healthpartners.com

Tea Rozman Clark is co-founder and executive director of Green Card Voices, a nonprofit that utilizes storytelling to share personal narratives of immigrant youth and adults to foster tolerance and establish better understanding between immigrant and non-immigrant communities. Born in Yugoslavia, Tea has interviewed more than 400 immigrants from over 120 countries and is editor of the organization’s six volumes of compelling stories. She will share the power of Green Card Voices storytelling for both the teller and the audience, as well as stories of Minneapolis students from the organization’s collection. Storytelling as a Tool to Empower and Build Empathy by Tea Rozman Clark was part of the May 2019 #EDTalksMN event on Immigrant Voices. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on May 6, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and the Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

Salma Hussein, M.S.W., L.I.S.W., is a school social worker at South High School who works with students and families from a wide variety of countries. Drawing on her own experiences as an immigrant and her work with her students and their families, she will share how creating strong home-school partnerships, celebrating diversity and building authentic relationships is absolutely vital for student success. The Power of Strong Relationships for Student Success by Salma Hussein was part of the May 2019 #EDTalksMN event on Immigrant Voices. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on May 6, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and the Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

This EDTalks focuses on “Creating Inclusive Classrooms: What Success Looks Like” Our featured speaker is Jennifer Sommerness. Jennifer is the Executive Director of Inclusive Schools at Kids Included Together (KIT) and an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. A nationally recognized leader in disability inclusion, she brings over 25 years of experience and a deep passion for inclusive education to all she does. Jennifer works closely with families, teachers, administrators and community members to create inclusive schools and communities that support students through innovative, diverse learning strategies. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 11, 2019. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen. EDTalks is a lively series of community conversations about public education and related issues that impact our young people. Each EDTalks features two compelling, short presentations by cutting-edge educators, youth advocates, students, artists or community leaders. EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

This EDTalks focuses on “Creating Gender Inclusive Schools” Our featured speaker is Jason Bucklin. Jason is the LGBTQA+ Program Coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools and has served the district’s students, families and staff for seven years. With over 15 years of experience in LGBTQA+ youth advocacy, Jason has overseen the development and implementation of gender inclusive polices both at MPS and across Minnesota. Outside of his work in education, Jason is a photographer supporting queer-identified performers in the Twin Cities. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 11, 2019. EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen. EDTalks is a lively series of community conversations about public education and related issues that impact our young people. Each EDTalks features two compelling, short presentations by cutting-edge educators, youth advocates, students, artists or community leaders. EDTalks is supported by generous grants from the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

Sara Etzel is Director of Career & Technical Education for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and a national America Achieves Fellow. At MPS, Sara is leading an innovative team of educators in a systems-change effort to expand access to co-curricular STEM experiences, develop career exploration opportunities that align with Minnesota’s World’s Best Workforce legislation, and create experiential learning that better equips students to succeed in a wide range of disciplines. Her talk was part of the EDTalk on the role of career and technical education in the 21st century. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Jan 14, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

Hanane Kachman serves as Workforce Development Consultant at Fairview Health Services, where she provides expertise in specialty recruitment, workforce planning, pipeline creation, diversity and inclusion, and building partnership with educators and public officials. Hanane is currently focused on creating career pathway programs that begin in high school and continue through a variety of post-secondary opportunities, including community and four-year college, training programs for working adults, internships and fellowships. Her talk was part of the EDTalk on the role of career and technical education in the 21st century. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 2019, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indigo Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

Welcome to the seventh episode of Matter of Fat: a body positive podcast with Midwest sensibilities! Co-hosts Cat Polivoda and Saraya Boghani highlight community voices with a lens on body size, body positivity, & fat liberation. This episode, Cat and Saraya update each other on what's happening in the Twin Cities and their lives during The Fat Dish, hear about their guest Andrea Sanow’s story as a matter of fat, and dive into the Dirt and Discourse. This episode was released on November 28 2018. This episode’s Fat Dish checks in on excitement around midterm elections, youth empowerment and Achieve Minneapolis, an great event on Body Positivity Cat provided at Mankato State, and how freeing Wisconsin currently feels. Both hosts are excited to announce the first pod event coming up on December 4th at Spaces in North Loop. A celebration for the season finale with bars and fun! This episode’s interview is with Andrea Sanow. Andrea is a creative, witty, story maven who shares her popularity in high school, her MFA thesis and academic awakening to fat liberation, and insight into a potential instagram trend waiting to take off. In Dirt + Discourse, Cat and Saraya dive into upcoming intrigues: Julie Murphy’s book turned Netflix movie Dumplin’, Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act, and kween Lizzo’s Flute and Shoot skills Find us! Website: www.kfai.org/matteroffat FB: www.facebook.com/matteroffatpod/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/matteroffatpod/?hl=en Twitter: twitter.com/matteroffatpod Email: matteroffatpod@gmail.com Mentioned in this episode: AchieveMPLS https://www.achievempls.org/ Matter of Fat Event https://www.facebook.com/events/329352557645465/ Election Judge Information https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/become-an-election-judge/

Beth Hawkins was a founding reporter at MinnPost, where she wrote Learning Curve, an education news and analysis blog. She is currently national correspondent for The 74 Million, a nonprofit news site focused on education policy, where she writes about promising policies and practices in schools throughout the country. Her talk was part of the EDTalk on Media and Public Education, where speakers discussed media coverage of public education and how it shapes attitudes towards (and engagement with) schools. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Oct. 15, 2018, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.

Mauri Chantel Melander Friestleben is the principal of Lucy Craft Laney at Cleveland Park Community School in North Minneapolis. Her school was featured in KARE 11’s year-long profile, “Lessons from Lucy Laney,” where she got an insider’s view of working with the media. Her talk was part of the EDTalk on Media and Public Education, where speakers discussed media coverage of public education and how it shapes attitudes towards (and engagement with) schools. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Oct. 15, 2018, by Jeff Achen (https://www.callsign51.com/). EDTalks is presented by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League in partnership with Indego Education and Pollen. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Bush Foundation and the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation. Learn more about EDTalks at https://www.achievempls.org/edtalks.