What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous Stride, Inc.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, 76% of kids play video games. With their ability to build problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills video games are starting to make their way to the classroom.
What are the benefits of video games? What role should parents have in choosing the games their child plays? And how can video games be used as tools for learning?
In this episode, Stanley Pierre-Louis joins Kevin to discuss how video games can be used as a tool for learning.
Meet Stanley:
Stanley Pierre-Louis is the President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, an organization dedicated to being the voice and advocate for the video game industry. 
With more than two decades of entertainment and media experience, Stanley leads ESA’s efforts to showcase the impact the video game industry has on business, entertainment, and culture. 
This is, What I Want to Know.
 

Research shows that girls and young women lose interest in science and math as they move through their school years. And now, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce.
How can we use science to inspire kids? Why is it important for girls to see themselves represented in the field? And how can we encourage an interest in science in young girls?
In this episode, Melissa Alderete joins Kevin to share how we can encourage an interest in science in young girls.
Meet Melissa:
Melissa Alderete is the founder of Science Girl’s Lab, an organization that provides science activities, experiments, and experiences to teachers, students, and their families to inspire the next generation of scientists.
This is, What I Want to Know.
 

We all know that philanthropy is important in education. Many worthwhile organizations rely on the generosity of philanthropic groups who are determined to help kids and schools through their donations. But the needs of schools have changed, particularly following the pandemic.
What is the role of philanthropy in education? How has education philanthropy changed in recent years? And where do we expect future philanthropy to focus their support for schools. 
In this episode, Hanna Skandera joins Kevin to discuss the role of philanthropy in education.
Meet Hanna:
Hanna Skandera is the President and CEO of the Daniels Fund, a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming… through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative.
Previously, Hanna served as the Secretary of Education for the state of New Mexico.
This is, What I Want to Know.

Over the past decade, children’s literature has become far more diverse. In fact, research found that in 2022 about 45 percent of kids’ and teens’ books had a nonwhite author, illustrator, or compiler, which was up from only 8 percent in 2014.
How can we encourage representation in children’s books? What are the impacts of diverse representation in children’s literature? And why is it important for kids to see themselves in their favorite books? 
In this episode, Alliah Agostini joins Kevin to discuss why representation matters in children’s literature. 
Meet Alliah:
Alliah Agostini is an author and speaker. She is the author of several books… including the acclaimed The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States and the upcoming Oprah Winfrey: A Little Golden Book Biography.
Alliah writes to spread joy, truth, and to help more children see themselves reflected on the page.
This is, What I Want to Know.
 

During the pandemic, 35% of the world increased their reading habits. And now, from book clubs to #BookTok, people have continued to turn to books as an anecdote to isolation and a way to build community. 
Why is reading so transformative? How can we ensure everyone has access to books? And how can books build community? 
In this episode, Greig Metzger joins Kevin to discuss how books can build community. 
Meet Greig:
Greig Metzger is the executive director of Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to being a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.
This is, What I Want to Know. 
 

According to the Department of Education, more than 8 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read and comprehend short texts or understand basic vocabulary. 
Illiteracy often leads to low self-esteem and isolation, as well as higher chances of unemployment and poverty.
What are the impacts of illiteracy? What factors influence literacy development? And how can learning to read change lives? 
Oliver James joins Kevin in this episode to share how learning to read can change lives. 
Meet Oliver:
Oliver James is a literacy advocate and social media influencer. In 2022, he began using TikTok to share his struggle with reading.
He has more than 300,000 TikTok followers and has formed a community focused on literacy and mental health.
This is, What I Want to Know.