eRaced Podcast

Collette Bowers Zinn & Lisa Johnson
  • 4.9 (86)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • SERIES

A podcast about thriving despite being marginalized

See All

  1. EPISODE 16

    Avoiding "Pacing for Privilege" Detours with Dr. Elizabeth Denevi

    Denevi unpacks the ways institutions often derail good intentions with "pacing for privilege" and other practices that may not be recognized as racist. She explains how acknowledging and addressing harms, attempting truth and reconciliation and even securing Black families' donor dollars often left on the table (by creating giving circles!) are all strategies that can benefit schools by turning anti-racist intentions into actions.

    36 min

  2. EPISODE 17

    60+ Years of Black@ with Dr. Michelle Purdy

    On this episode- a look at the history of elite Private Schools. with our guest Dr. Michelle Purdy author of Transforming the Elite:Black Students and the Desegregation of Private Schools, Following the Supreme Court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education which mandated desegregation of public schools, enrollment in private schools skyrocketed… but NOT for black students. Simply put, White families did not want to integrate. Eventually, some independent schools DID accept black students for fear of bad publicity and concerns about their tax exempt status. — he first Black students enrolled in southern private schools in the mid 1960s, but how welcome were those “fearless firsts?” In her book Transforming the Elite: Black Students and the Desegregation of Private Schools, our guest Dr. Michelle Purdy focuses on the Westminster School in Atlanta… yes, Lisa went there. Purdy attended St. Andrews Episcopal School in Jackson, MS and today as a professor of education at Washington University, she’s continues to track the ways private schools struggle with creating a culture that sees and hears ALL students. This week we dive deep into what happened then, our own experiences and what’s being said on the “Black@" accounts where students are sharing their own experiences of what it’s like to be Black at a private school in the 2020s. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    36 min

  3. EPISODE 18

    Ep. 18: The Fugitives and Abolitionists in Your School

    Our guest in this episode, Nationally renowned scholar and speaker, Dr. Jamila Lyiscott, offers this challenge: Let’s start real conversations. Right now some school communities are talking about -- and examining -- the systemic racism baked in to our schools’ programs, curriculum and culture. The intentions are good, and some of that conversation is meaningful, but some of it is really just talk. Because it can be very hard to have deep discussions and hear each other when it comes to the harms and the how-to's required for making real change. Dr. J unpacks the language, learnings and framing that can illuminate pathways to honest conversations and change. And some good news about schools and communities that are doing it right. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    36 min

  4. EPISODE 19

    Ep. 19: Racial Literacy 101:Building an Essential Skill with Dr. Charles Adams

    Our guest, educator and non-profit leader Charles Adams of the Lion's Story, is deep in the work, and he wants you to know that racial literacy is skills based -- it starts with making observations, understanding encounters, and intentionally practicing ways to resolve racially stressful situations Learn what it means to be racially literate, and how this skill is essential for children particularly in predominantly white institutions. Like most learning, it starts at home. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    36 min

  5. EPISODE 20

    Ep. 20: The Power of Affinity Groups with Rosetta Lee

    For students navigating predominantly white schools, being in the numeric minority is a fact of every day. Affinity groups provide unapologetic affirmations of identity. Collette & Lisa talk with Rosetta Lee about the four P's provided by affinity groups: pride, protection, preparation and practice, including helping students role play taking on questions by responding with "I don’t represent everybody in my group, but this is my experience." Lee also brings the data that makes it clear affinity groups are essential, and not "ruining kids innocence" by pointing out people's differences, reminding us that even babies at six months old notice and show preferences for in-group facial features, because survival depends on it. Affinity groups are support systems based in evolution, we are hardwired to be supported and protected, including at school. Plus how-to’s for schools starting or building affinity groups. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    36 min

  6. EPISODE 21

    Ep. 21: DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION- Is that one person's job?

    Most independent schools have a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Or the search is on, due to the current climate around racial reckoning. In this episode, we talk with Rasheda Carroll and Chris Dennis, two seasoned DEI experts now serving as assistant head of schools in Los Angeles. They understand what it takes to nurture students, plus all of the realities around the work of changing school culture. DEI efforts are often intended to inform everything that happens at school - from admissions to academics, campus life and family involvement. They are on call for some of the most volatile challenges in the school community, but do they have the tools and support they need? How can the person in this role hold the school accountable? Do their strategies get adequate support? And why isn't there a whole team on board to make this happen? We dig in to how DEI work really happens, and what works. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    43 min

  7. EPISODE 22

    Ep.22: The Real Real: Parents Share What really happens when your family is Black@ ?

    Right now, many independent schools are more eager than ever to bring in Black families, and often roll out the red carpet when you visit. You may even see and meet with lots of students and families of color. Intentions to embrace diversity may be real. But once your child enrolls and you are there, that doesn't always mean there are organized spaces and communities within the school for students and families of color. And what about the academics, and reading lists? Our guests today have five children attending two independent schools in Los Angeles. They chose their schools carefully, they love the schools. And, truth: they are always working on being Black@, to improve the experience for their own kids, their families, and others. Here is the tea, take a listen. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    45 min

  8. EPISODE 23

    Ep.23: Are Private Schools Truly Indefensible? With Author Caitlin Flanagan

    For students of color and their families, navigating the predominantly white spaces of a private school is typically a series of challenges. But it’s not because we are having issues, it's because America is having issues. The Atlantic writer, Caitlin Flanagan says the problem with private schools is the perpetuation of systemic elitism in our country, historically and still today staked to race and class. Flanagan's thesis is tied to something we say on this show almost every episode: The very presence of Black students and families offers more to private schools than the schools have to offer us. We are the gift. Yes, Black and brown students -- whether they pay full tuition or get some financial aid -- graduate from private schools and mostly go on to top colleges, already growing a strong network. But do we really want to be there, regardless of the costs? Our guest makes this analogy, reminding us that in his memoir, President Obama says he hasn’t given up…on America, yet. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    37 min

  9. EPISODE 24

    Ep.24: Was Private School Worth It? Now In College, Recent Alumni Look Back

    Both Jamie and Jay say they'd choose their high school again, although the experience had its challenges. Hear their insights about how navigating a school where you are one of a few can be hard, even distressing at times. Both students also say a lot of valuable life learning takes place outside of the classroom, too. Now sophomores in college, our guests advise keeping an open dialogue with parents throughout high school is helpful. Stuff happens and it helps to have guidance in advocating for yourself. And, yes, some thoughts about Black@. Spoiler: Yes, the posts seemed accurate. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    38 min

  10. EPISODE 25

    Episode 25: Black Parents, White Head of School, Every Day Lessons

    The classroom is traditionally where the teaching and learning takes place. Today, whole school communities are wrestling with all there is to learn - not just from the books, or the classics, but each other, every day, on campus. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    47 min

  11. EPISODE 26

    Episode 26: “Wokeness”at Your Child’s Private School w/Brian Platzer from The Atlantic

    A complete US history is better curriculum than one that leaves out Black history. Many elite private schools are struggling to fully embrace this in their school community. Some parents see a false dichotomy -- pitting academics against social justice. Some parents have a lot to learn. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    43 min

  12. EPISODE 27

    Episode 27: Tough Questions about Private Schools with Donna Orem

    This week Collette and Lisa ask Donna Orem, what, exactly, the organization is doing to help schools truly invest in equity, historically accurate curriculum and teacher training. Orem says the National Association of Independent Schools exists to lead and support a very diverse membership of independent schools. We ask her about the tools, the promises, and what schools and parents can do now to shift campus culture. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

    42 min
See All Season 2 (12)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

A podcast about thriving despite being marginalized

Information

  • Creator
    Collette Bowers Zinn & Lisa Johnson
  • Episodes
    27
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    eRaced Podcast