The Silk Stocking Sisters

ALIVE Podcast Network

This podcast will share information, stories and experiences both historical and current regarding school integration, desegregation, busing and related topics in the North and Midwestern United States. The podcast is an extension of topics covered in my book Desegregation of The New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters.

  1. Sports, Academics & Mentorship: Empowering the Next Generation with Charles “Chuck” Hughes

    5D AGO

    Sports, Academics & Mentorship: Empowering the Next Generation with Charles “Chuck” Hughes

    Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In todays episode, we continue Part 2 of our conversation with Charles Chuck Hughes, President and CEO of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, former City Councilman, mentor, and community leader. Based on his experiences as a former athlete, Mr. Hughes shares his perspective on sports versus academics and explains why the two should work in partnership rather than competition. He emphasizes the importance of being a true student-athlete, highlighting the valuable lessons, discipline, leadership, and personal growth that come from both education and athletics. This conversation emphasizes the impact and importance of mentorship, especially for young adults navigating the transition into adulthood. Mr. Hughes reflects on nearly two decades leading the Midnight Basketball Program in Gary, Indiana, a community-based initiative designed to provide structured late-night basketball leagues for at-risk youth and young adults during high-risk hours. Midnight Basketball wasnt simply a sports program. It combined mentorship, life-skills training, and community engagement to create spaces that encouraged accountability and personal growth.  Mr. Hughes also speaks about the negative stigma often placed on Gary because it is a predominantly Black city, while highlighting the citys strong foundation of excellence and achievement. He highlights the many influential leaders, athletes, astronauts, and more who have come from Gary.  Join us for a conversation about sports, academics, mentorship and the importance of investing in young people. Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    28 min
  2. The Reality of Segregated Schools in the Midwest and Their Legacy of Excellence with Charles “Chuck” Hughes

    MAY 6

    The Reality of Segregated Schools in the Midwest and Their Legacy of Excellence with Charles “Chuck” Hughes

    Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In todays episode, were joined by Charles Chuck Hughes, President and CEO of the Gary, Indiana Chamber of Commerce and former City Councilman, for a candid discussion on the realities of segregated schooling, the role of funding in education, and how community values shape student success. Mr. Hughes reflects on his experience growing up in Gary, Indiana, where he attended Gary Roosevelt High School, a segregated school he describes as the mecca of educational learning. Built during a time when discriminatory housing patterns restricted Black families to certain neighborhoods, the school became a center of excellence. Despite segregation, Gary Roosevelt fostered a culture of high academic standards, pride, and achievement. Mr. Hughes expresses gratitude for his time there, highlighting that its educators, many highly educated and experienced, were committed to student success and created an environment where young people were challenged, supported, and inspired to excel. We also explore how school funding directly influences student outcomes. We offer a fresh perspective that challenges the belief that integration consistently resulted in better opportunities for Black students and communities, recognizing that in some cases, it did not. Mr. Hughes highlights that in Gary, economic decline and a lack of job opportunities contributed to population loss, ultimately leading Black families to leave the city in pursuit of better economic and educational opportunities for their children, which in turn contributed to the closure of Gary Roosevelt High School. This episode invites listeners to reconsider common narratives and reflect on what truly creates strong learning environments and drives educational success. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    27 min
  3. Food Addiction, Trauma, and Emotional Eating: Michelle Petties on Healing, Mental Health, and Nutrition

    APR 22

    Food Addiction, Trauma, and Emotional Eating: Michelle Petties on Healing, Mental Health, and Nutrition

    Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we are joined by special guest Michelle Petties, TEDx speaker and bestselling author of Leaving Large: The Stories of a Food Addict. Using both research and personal experience, Ms. Petties explores the connections between food addiction, trauma, emotional eating, and education. In this conversation, we discuss how patterns around food begin early in life, often shaped by childhood experiences and emotional environments. Ms. Petties challenges us to rethink the way we view food, urging students and educators to consider what it truly means to nourish both the  body and mind. She states, We think were fighting food, but were fighting emotions.  We focus on how eating behaviors are often influenced by emotional experiences and past trauma, with food frequently becoming a way of managing stress and unresolved feelings. She addresses how obesity can be understood as a manifestation of things people did not know how to deal with. This episode highlights the disproportionate impact these experiences have within the Black community, especially among Black women, while emphasizing the importance of understanding both your mental and emotional states, and recognizing how they directly influence and are reflected in the body.  We also examine how food environments and the consumption of highly processed foods can influence cognitive function, affecting attention, memory, and students ability to learn and perform academically.  Join us for an important and timely conversation that expands our understanding of the emotional and psychological factors that shape our relationship with food. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    33 min
  4. The Legacy of the Modern School of Harlem: Black Women’s Education Activism with Dr. Deidre B. Flowers

    APR 15

    The Legacy of the Modern School of Harlem: Black Women’s Education Activism with Dr. Deidre B. Flowers

    In this episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, we are honored to welcome special guest Dr. Deidre B. Flowers, an education historian whose work centers on Black womens education activism and their impact on American schooling. Dr. Flowers brings both research-based insight and personal experience to the conversation as we explore one of her publications, The School for Modern Times: Mildred Louise Johnson and the Founding of the Modern School of Harlem. Together, we uncover the story behind the Modern School of Harlem and the visionary leadership of Mildred Louise Johnson, whose commitment to academic excellence, Black identity, and community empowerment shaped generations of students. Dr. Flowers reflects on her own journey, growing up as a student at the Modern School of Harlem and continuing her education at historically Black institutions. She shares the story of her mothers migration from the South in search of greater opportunity and her intentional decision to provide her daughter with access to an education that could offer the opportunities she herself was denied. Throughout this episode, she highlights the vital role of family support in shaping educational success. We discuss the historical significance and systemic barriers Black educators faced in the 20th century that led to the founding of independent institutions like the Modern School of Harlem in 1934. Dr. Flowers offers perspective on public versus private education, emphasizing how smaller class sizes and individualized attention can better support student growth. This episode highlights the importance of meeting students where they are while honoring the history and impact of Black educators. Tune in and subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    32 min
  5. Understanding Childhood Trauma: Therapeutic Approaches and Trauma-Informed Education with Dr. Diana Naddeo

    APR 8

    Understanding Childhood Trauma: Therapeutic Approaches and Trauma-Informed Education with Dr. Diana Naddeo

    Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this insightful episode, were joined by Dr. Diana Naddeo, an assistant professor at Western Connecticut State University and licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child, adolescent, and young adult mental health. She now leads a private group practice in Newtown, Connecticut, specializing in comprehensive assessment and mental health care for young people. We explore the complex and often misunderstood impact of trauma on children and adolescents, while highlighting the importance of trauma-informed education. Dr. Naddeo shares her clinical insights on why careful, individualized assessment is essential, and how trauma-related behaviors are frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD or anxiety when the root cause goes unrecognized. This episode dives into effective therapeutic approaches for children who have experienced trauma and addresses why integrating trauma-informed practices into schools, especially within special education, is essential in supporting student success. We reflect on the historical significance of the Clark doll experiments conducted by Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, highlighting the lasting psychological effects of desegregation on childrens identity and self-image and connecting these insights to present-day educational and mental health practices. Join us for an informative discussion that sheds light on the emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of children and how we can create more supportive environments where all children can thrive. Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    21 min
  6. Looking Ahead: Podcast Update & Vision for Season 2

    APR 1

    Looking Ahead: Podcast Update & Vision for Season 2

    Welcome to a new season of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we provide an update on the podcasts continued vision and explore how historical patterns of integration across the North, South, and Midwest continue to impact educational equity today. Join us as we reflect on past and current topics spanning psychology, education, sports, politics, law, economics, and social issues, while welcoming more amazing guests who share personal stories, firsthand perspectives, and expert insights. Future episodes will dive into important discussions on trauma-informed education, leadership in Harlem private schools, the effects of food addiction on student performance, the role of sports in academic achievement and student development, policy reforms shaping opportunities for diverse communities across America, and so much more. Tune in for an overview of whats ahead and how The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast continues to explore the issues that matter most. Thank you for continuing to support the podcast. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    7 min
  7. How One Friendship Can Change Everything: A Tribute to Betsey Quint Feldman

    MAR 25

    How One Friendship Can Change Everything: A Tribute to Betsey Quint Feldman

    Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this meaningful episode, Dr. Canada shares a personal story about the friendship that helped shape her journey. She honors the life and legacy of her late friend, Betsey Quint Feldman, an amazing friend since their days as 4th-grade classmates at P.S. 6. Known for her welcoming nature, openness, and unwavering support, Ms. Feldman played a major role in encouraging Dr. Canadas writing and podcasting journey, including her book, Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters. With reflection and appreciation, Dr. Canada highlights the powerful impact that meaningful relationships can have on our lives. This episode is a tribute to the power of friendship, the importance of showing up for one another, and the lasting influence one person can have. It serves as a reminder that the connections we nurture can inspire, encourage, and truly make a difference. This episode is dedicated to Betsey Quint Feldman, a dear friend whose kindness, support, and presence left a lasting impact on Dr. Canadas life.

    6 min
  8. Dr. Canada’s NYC School Tour: Revisiting P.S. 6

    MAR 18

    Dr. Canada’s NYC School Tour: Revisiting P.S. 6

    Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Canada reflects on her experience attending P.S. 6, a predominantly white school on Manhattans Upper East Side, during the era of school desegregation. She walks the streets of New York City and revisits her former elementary school, where she attended 4th through 6th grade, sharing memories from her daily routine, including her walk from the bus stop and visits to a local store across the street. Best experienced when paired with the full video on The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast YouTube channel, this episode offers a first-hand perspective on Dr. Canadas childhood school experience in the 1960s. She also reflects on how the neighborhood and school have remained well preserved over the years and highlights P.S. 6s continued commitment to providing strong educational experiences. Be sure to watch this episode on our YouTube channel, where Dr. Canada brings the story of P.S. 6 to life through a virtual tour. As always, subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

    18 min
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About

This podcast will share information, stories and experiences both historical and current regarding school integration, desegregation, busing and related topics in the North and Midwestern United States. The podcast is an extension of topics covered in my book Desegregation of The New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters.

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