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In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah—founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of Learning to Relearn—to unpack what it really takes to create identity-affirming, culturally responsive classrooms. They explore how “compliance culture” undermines agency, the history behind school policies (from uniforms to hair), and practical ways educators can “clean the lenses,” confront bias, and center joy, belonging, and critical thinking.

What you’ll learn

• Why “compliance” often replaces true learning—and how to reverse it
• How history informs present-day school policies (uniforms, hair, discipline)
• Practical steps to build identity-affirming, anti-bias, anti-racist practice
• Strategies for nurturing student agency, joy, and criticality
• Ways teachers can honor their professional identity—even within constraints

https://www.identitytalk4educators.com/

Get the book: Learning to Relearn

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What if “joy in schools” isn’t possible without belonging? Dr. Tami Dean and Dr. Max Weinberg unpack how humane, trauma-informed practice—and real partnership with families, paraprofessionals, and communities—creates conditions where every student is seen, safe, and able to learn.

What You’ll Learn

• Why belonging is the prerequisite for joy—not the other way around.
• How testing culture and scripted curricula erode critical thinking and equity.
• Practical ways to center in loco parentis and dignity in daily instruction.
• The overlooked power of paraprofessionals and how to align the whole team.
• Navigating 504/IEP rights with curiosity instead of compliance theater.
• Equity lenses on charters, vouchers, school funding, and neighborhood schools.
• How educator preparation and No Child Left Behind-era schooling still shape today’s classrooms.

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Author and PhD student Shannon Quist joins Dr. Tami to unpack the false binary of adoption vs. abortion—and the equity issues hiding in plain sight. We trace the Baby Scoop era, Roe v. Wade, evangelical politics, and present-day practices like safe haven boxes and sealed birth certificates. Shannon shares her adoptee journey, the identity costs of transracial adoption, and why open records and community care matter. If you’ve wondered who profits, who’s protected, and who’s erased, this conversation offers language, history, and actions to move beyond either/or thinking toward real reproductive and adoptee justice.

Shannon’s TEDx Talk: Would You Rather? Adoption vs. Abortion

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In this energizing conversation, Dr. Tami sits down with Laneshia—math coach, curriculum designer, and host of Make Math Happen—to unpack what equitable math instruction actually looks like day-to-day. From combating deficit narratives to designing joyful, rigorous lessons, they explore why Tier 1 planning is urgent, how instructional coaches serve as “knowledgeable others,” and practical ways teachers can build classroom belonging, agency, and discourse. You’ll hear actionable strategies for the first weeks of school, embracing “productive messiness” during new curriculum rollouts, and how a simple “Power Hour” can transform your productivity and peace. If you support middle school math—or care about equitable learning anywhere—this episode is your blueprint for planning with purpose and leading with joy.

• Why equity starts at Tier 1—and why you can’t “small-group” your way out of weak whole-group instruction
• What effective instructional coaching looks like (and why every pro needs a coach)
• Practical back-to-school moves: planning, anchor charts, discourse questions, and organization
• How to replace deficit narratives with assume positive intentions and better family communication

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In this episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami sits down with Jenn Tardy, founder of Jenn Tardy Consulting and author of The Equity Edge, to unpack the realities of bias in hiring and what leaders can do to build truly inclusive workplaces.

With two decades of experience in recruitment and DEI, Jenn brings a clear, actionable perspective on why representation matters, how subtle and underexplored biases derail talent pipelines, and what organizations can do to move from “checking the box” to systemic change.

Key Takeaways:

• Why equity—not just diversity—is the competitive advantage companies need in 2025
• Common but overlooked biases that shape hiring decisions (like “professionalism” and “competitor bias”)
• How to empower recruiters and hiring managers with plain-language tools to spot and mitigate bias
• The difference between “calling out” and “calling in” — and how leaders can create space for accountability without defensiveness
• Why equity is a marathon, not a one-and-done training, and how organizations can sustain momentum despite resistance

Whether you’re a C-suite leader, HR professional, or manager shaping team culture, this episode will give you practical strategies to create equitable systems that attract, hire, and retain top talent.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Equity Edge by Jenn Tardy
• The Platinum Bias Checklist (free resource)

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In this powerful and timely episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami welcomes powerhouse educators Drs. Bre & Kia to discuss what it really means to create safe, affirming schools for trans and gender-creative youth.

With honesty, warmth, and lived wisdom, the trio digs into the story behind Bre and Kia’s new book, T*is for Thriving, which offers educators frameworks, tools, and community for equity work that doesn’t stop at intention—it builds real infrastructure.

From navigating systemic pushback to cultivating joy in the face of oppression, this conversation explores how educators and allies can stay rooted in justice while speaking up when it matters most.

In this episode:

• Why “just staying neutral” isn’t an option in today’s climate
• The power of curriculum to affirm, include, and protect
• How allyship means removing barriers—not just offering support
• The story of T* is for Thriving and the frameworks that guide it
• Why joy, rest, and community are part of the resistance
• What it looks like to be in someone’s corner (and let them rest)

Resources:

T* Is for Thriving Book

Mutual Aid & More

Bridge to Thrive Framework

SJ Miller Framework

Goldie Muhammad Framework

Additional Resources:

Activism

For LGBTQ+ educators

To work with Dr. Kia: https://drkiadh.com/

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In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean welcomes Dr. Courtney Teague—leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of CLT and Associates—for a dynamic conversation on transforming organizational culture through equity, inclusion, and shared humanity. With over 17 years of experience across corporate, education, and government sectors, Dr. Courtney unpacks what it really means to build inclusive systems where people don’t just survive—they thrive.

From uncovering mislabeling in special education to challenging performative equity statements in corporate culture, this episode explores how leaders in all industries can move from words to impact. You’ll learn the role of invisible bias, how data-informed decisions drive cultural change, and why “belonging” must be budgeted—not just branded.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why equity work is deeply personal and not just professional
• The difference between inclusion and conformity in workplace culture
• Why equity should be a strategic imperative—not a charity initiative
• Practical ways to create data-informed, trust-based environments

Perfect For:

• Education leaders & school district administrators
• HR executives & DEI practitioners
• Nonprofit directors & corporate change-makers
• Organizational development and culture strategists

Connect with Dr. Courtney Teague: https://cltandassociates.com/

👉 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
If you're ready to lead culture with intention—whether in your classroom or your boardroom—subscribe and share this episode. For more insights and upcoming events, visit https://dragonflyrising.org and follow The Equity Hour wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In this powerful highlight episode, Dr. Tami revisits standout moments from six transformative conversations on The Equity Hour. These voices challenge, inspire, and ground us in what it means to lead with equity, courage, and clarity.

🔊 Featured Voices:

• Megan Fuciarelli on evolving from cultural missteps to culturally responsive teaching
• Katie O’Malley on humility, white guilt, and career choices shaped by justice
• LaTerrian "LT" Officer-McIntosh on self-advocacy, storytelling, and shifting the narrative through media
• Dewayne McClary on digital equity, system-level change, and the power of access
• Dr. Shelly Jones Holt on epigenetics, courageous leadership, and the myth of comfort = safety
• Leroy Smith on reflection, healing, and leadership as spaciousness

Whether you’re deep into this work or just beginning, this episode offers honest reflections and tangible insights on how we move from awareness to action—and from discomfort to transformation.

✨ If this episode resonates with you, share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going.

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