In this episode of Color Commentary, Dr. Charles Cole interviews his friend and collaborator, Dr. Shanté Jackson-Barnes, to discuss the literacy crisis in America.

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Welcome to Color Commentary, where the stories shaping our world start in black and white and then come into full color. In this episode, Charles opens with a homecoming in New Orleans: the A Black Hands crew reunited at the National Charter Schools Conference, where a packed room, a custom podcast space, and real chemistry made the night feel bigger than a reunion. He reflects on why the show mattered then, why it mattered again now, and what it says about speaking plainly in a moment that often rewards silence.

Then Charles introduces John Henryism, the little-known but powerful research concept that explains the cost of relentless grind. Drawing from the legend of John Henry, the work of Dr. Sherman James, and his own framework around the black achievement trauma tax, Charles connects hard work, stress, and survival to the long-term toll on Black bodies and minds. It’s a deeply personal and cultural conversation about hustle, agency, self-determination, and the line between discipline and self-destruction.

What’s really happening behind the scenes of Memphis’ education upheaval? Dr. Cole dissects the recent law that replaces elected school boards with a shady, unchecked, state-appointed oversight board—who controls the district’s $1.7 billion budget—and what that means for local voices. You’ll discover how this law, rooted in a governance crisis, reveals the entrenched disparities and political machinations that keep Black children trapped in failing systems. With candid stories of community resilience, Dr. Cole challenges listeners to confront the silence and apathy that allow this to persist.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the gritty realities faced by Memphis schools: from shocking dropout rates and dismal proficiency scores (only 3 in 10 kids proficient in reading and math) to the passionate efforts of Memphis Lyft and leader Sarah Carpenter, who fights tooth and nail for children’s rights. We break down the high-stakes implications of standardized testing, funding mismanagement, and the urgent need for community outrage—and action. Dr. Cole shares powerful insights on how silence is complicity, and why making noise is a moral duty.

We’d love to hear from you! Email Charles at colorcommentarypod@gmail.com

And check out our merch here!