Equity Unlocked

Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute
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Equity Unlocked is a podcast hosted by CRSLI dedicated to navigating the complexities of educational equity for leaders.

  1. 16 May

    Putting the Flag in the Sand: Dr. Katie Pekel on Culturally Responsive School Leadership

    In this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Katie Pekel, Executive Director of Educational Leadership at the University of Minnesota, reflects on her long-standing work with Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and the development of the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Academy. Drawing on her experience as a K–12 teacher and principal, principal development leader, and higher education administrator, Dr. Pekel discusses what school leaders are facing in the current political climate, including backlash against equity work and the loss of key educational resources and funding. She offers guidance for leaders seeking to stay grounded, engage communities with humility, and keep student humanity at the center of culturally responsive leadership. Access the show notes at crsli.org/blog

  2. 2 Apr

    Schools as Sacred Spaces: A Conversation with Antiracist Leader Dr. Patrick Duffy

    In this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Patrick Duffy, author of Becoming an Antiracist School Leader: Dare to Be Real, reflects on the personal experiences and professional journey that shaped his approach to antiracist and culturally responsive leadership. He discusses key tenets from his leadership framework, including the need for adult collaboration focused on racial equity, authentic family and community partnership, and the belief that schools can and should be safe and sacred spaces where students and educators can bring their full identities. Dr. Duffy also shares how the tragic loss of his daughter and her grandfather informed his forthcoming book, Schools at the Center, and deepened his thinking about schools as civic and spiritual centers that can strengthen democracy through substantive integration across race, class, culture, and faith. Throughout the conversation, he offers guidance for leaders navigating political backlash and "pendulum shifts," emphasizing self-knowledge, reflection, truth-telling, and building systems capable of outlasting a single leader. He closes by describing his upcoming work through the Becoming Leadership Group and a new Teachers College Press summit series designed to connect students and educators, reclaim the meaning of equity work, and turn this moment into a movement. Find out more at crsli.org/blog.

  3. 6 Mar

    TEECH: A Third Space for Community-Connected Educators

    In this episode of Equity Unlocked, we hear from four Twin Cities educators who talk honestly about what it means to teach in today's political and social climate. The teachers featured in this episode are participants in the TEECH program, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa with the mission to develop community connected educators. The name "TEECH" is an acronym that stands for Teaching for Equity, Empowerment and Community Healing. Hosted by Kandace Logan, Executive Director of TEECH,  the group discusses the real challenges culturally responsive teachers are facing in their school communities today, especially in this political climate. From multilingual classrooms and refugee communities to identity, safety, and student organizing, this conversation centers the lived realities of teachers who are committed to culturally responsive, community-connected practice. Together, they reflect on the power of finding a "third space" for educators and what school leaders need to understand if they want to truly support teachers doing equity-centered work. They not only explore how they're supporting students and families, but also their own wellbeing by finding ways to sustain themselves through the TEECH program. Learn more about the TEECH program and discover how you can partner with TEECH at teeching.org. Find out more about this episode in the show notes at crsli.org/blog.

  4. 11 Feb

    The Way Forward: PLC at Work® and the Bright Future of Education with Dr. Anthony Muhammad

    In this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa sits down with longtime colleague Dr. Anthony Muhammad for a reflective and forward-looking conversation centered on Dr. Muhammad's latest book, The Way Forward: PLC at Work and the Bright Future of Education. The discussion explores what it truly means to implement professional learning communities in ways that advance equity rather than compliance. Dr. Muhammad reflects on the historical roots of schooling, the persistence of surface-level reform, and the dangers of knowing better without doing better. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, he offers guidance for school and district leaders who are navigating the current political, cultural, and moral challenges facing equity-centered work in education. You can find out more about this episode in the show notes at crsli.org/blog.

  5. 15 Jan

    "Doing the Work" with Drs. Ann Ishimaru and Decoteau Irby

    In this episode, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa sits down with Dr. Ann Ishimaru and Dr. Decoteau Irby to discuss their new edited book, Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change. If you've been following the scholarship in this space, you know both Ann and Decoteau as long-time leaders in community-engaged research, critical leadership studies, and racial equity in education. Their new book brings together a wide range of scholars — voices from across the field — to offer grounded, practitioner-focused insights into how wecontinue to do the work of equity leadership in today's climate. Find out more about this episode by checking out the show notes at crsli.org/blog.

  6. 17/12/2025

    Introducing the New Culturally Responsive School Leadership Framework

    In this special solo episode, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa walks listeners through the newly revised Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) framework. Drawing on an extensive new literature review sponsored by the Spencer Foundation, Dr. Khalifa explains why the framework was updated, what has changed, and how these shifts reflect emerging research on culturally responsive leadership, community connection, and transformative school change. This episode offers a practitioner-friendly overview of the strand indiciators, guiding questions, and dispositions that define CRSL in 2026 and beyond. Dr. Khalifa also shares insight from years of working with school leaders nationwide and reflects on how this updated framework can help principals, educators, and communities navigate today's political and cultural challenges. Listeners can download the full framework at crsli.org/blog. Stay tuned for our upcoming 2026 episodes, featuring conversations with leading scholars and practitioners across the field.

  7. 13/11/2025

    Remaining Steadfast in our Purpose: The Ethical & Moral Basis for Sustaining DEIA in Education

    In this third and final episode of our three-part series with educator and attorney Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, we explore how school leaders can remain steadfast in their commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility amid today's shifting legal landscape. Building on the previous conversations, this episode makes the ethical and practical case for keeping DEIA at the heart of education. Jeremy and the CRSLI team unpack current legal challenges, weigh policy paths, and share actionable, CRSL-aligned recommendations that leaders can implement now—within existing legal frameworks. This episode offers grounded guidance for advancing equity with courage and clarity. You can download and read the accompanying legal brief on our blog at crsli.org/blog

  8. 21/10/2025

    Navigating Risk through the Power of Terminology

    This episode is the second in our three-part series designed to help school leaders navigate the rapidly changing legal landscape around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and attorney-educator Jeremy Chan-Kraushar examine how the terms we use—in policy, communication, and daily practice—can shape both legal interpretation and community trust. Together they discuss real-world examples of how terminology influences risk, perception, and outcomes in schools. Each conversation in this series is paired with a companion issue brief authored by the CRSLI team and Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, offering deeper legal context and practical guidance for culturally responsive leaders. Read the full blog post and download the companion issue brief to share with colleagues at CRSLI.org/blog

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About

Equity Unlocked is a podcast hosted by CRSLI dedicated to navigating the complexities of educational equity for leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Equity Unlocked