Sharif El-Mekki, founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss teacher diversity and the challenges of building a stronger teacher pipeline. Why are so few Black and Latino men entering the profession? How can early exposure to teaching, apprenticeships, and Grow Your Own teacher programs help? And can teacher preparation programs better prepare aspiring educators for licensure exams?

Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines a study finding that charter school openings can reduce nearby Catholic school enrollment and increase the likelihood of closure, particularly among K–8 schools.

Recommended content:

• Male Teachers Say Mentors Got Them There. For Black Men, the Need’s Even Greater — Sharif El-Mekki & Jeanie Lee, The74
• Can left and right find middle ground on teacher diversity? — Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED
• In defense of teacher diversity — Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED
• Center for Black Educator Development — Center for Black Educator Development
• Charter School Expansion, Catholic School Enrollment, & the Implications for School Choice — Shaun M. Dougherty, Andrew Miller, and Yerin Yoon, Education Finance and Policy (2026)

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