What does it take to create a school where Black and Brown students feel truly seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential?

In this episode of Project: School Dad Podcast, host Eric Vaughn Gardner sits down with Dr. Khary Moody for a timely conversation about mentorship, belonging, and the transformative power of Radical Advising in urban schools.

Together, they explore how culturally grounded mentorship can serve as a response to the historical harms many students continue to face—from exclusion and mislabeling to disconnection from school communities. Dr. Moody shares what it means to move beyond traditional notions of mentorship and build systems that affirm identity, strengthen relationships, and create pathways for student success.

• Why mentorship matters now more than ever
• The connection between school climate, belonging, and academic achievement
• How Radical Advising helps reduce the misreading of Black and Brown students
• Identity-affirming practices that build confidence, accountability, and trust
• The role families play as partners in student success
• Creating sustainable mentorship systems that extend beyond one person or program
• Protecting student belonging during school closures and transitions

The conversation also examines the broader educational landscape in Philadelphia and reflects on how schools can remain anchors of support during times of uncertainty and change.

"Mentorship isn't a program. It's a commitment to ensuring every child has someone in their corner who sees their potential before they see it themselves."

Project: School Dad is a movement dedicated to exploring the intersection of education, representation, community, and belonging. Through conversations with educators, parents, scholars, and community leaders, the podcast seeks to amplify voices and ideas that help Black children thrive in schools and beyond.

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