What does education look like behind incarceration walls, and why does access to higher education matter so deeply in breaking cycles and building futures?

In this powerful episode, we dive into the realities of education within incarceration and the transformative journey of pursuing higher education as a form of resistance, healing, and liberation. We unpack the barriers that have long stood in the way and the work being done to break them down.

Joining us is our special guest, Melanie Berru a Proud Xicana from the Central Valley, a mother, daughter, a partner, & also a Professora of Sociology at Modesto Junior College who also teaches inside the county jail. Who brings powerful insight, and a deep commitment to uplifting incarcerated and community college students.

Together, we explore how education can become a pathway to empowerment, dignity, and systemic change.

This is a conversation about justice, access, and the power of knowledge to transform lives.

• Tune in now and be part of the conversation.

#Podcast #EducationJustice #HigherEducation #Incarceration #BreakingBarriers #CommunityEmpowerment #firstgeneration

Welcome back mi Gente! Tune into the newest episode as we capture the story of El Movimiento, an organization out of Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. Taking a stand against injustice and oppression in their very own communities. Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We had the pleasure of interviewing members of El movimiento, and obtaining an insight about the kind of challenges and victories they have faced in their community.

Thank you for continuing to support and trust us in the space we are continuing to provide. DEL PUEBLO, PARA EL PUEBLO!

Doing what I love to do, it’s always been about giving back to the youth! I recently was honored to be interviewed by one of my students about my career as a Restorative Specialist 🤎✊🏽. Doing the honest work and watering the next generation of great leaders!

Nada mas quería repasar la información de la TARJETA ROJA que serian sus derechos con inmigración, al igual también quisiera repasar Información sobre la red de respuesta rápida. Y como la puede utilizar.

Just wanted to take some time to go over the RED CARD which has your rights when dealing with immigration, as well as the yellow card which is the rapid response number. Also important information to have!

Shout out my brother Angel Santiago! we've been advocating for our families and our communities since we were babies! love you bro!

Buenas mi Gente, welcome to another episode of Down For The Brown podcast. Today we dive in a little to El Movimiento and a few of the opportunities it has helped paved the way for us now in days, such as a rightful education. We also speak a bit on the concept of Carnalismo and how has changed as well as opened several different perspectives over time. Thank you for tuning in once again!

Welcome back Raza!! I hope this episode finds you well. In this episode, we begin tom bring the podcast back, be speaking about the importance of our roots, and why we should keep them alive for our generations to come. Catch up with us in this episode, Down For The Brown Podcast thanks you for your support!!

Nationally, fewer than 20% of men of color possessed a four-year college degree in 2012 (Pérez Huber et al., 2015). These numbers have not improved in close to 10 years (NCES, 2020) and have drawn national concern—prompting responses from philanthropy, postsecondary institutions, and policymakers that address how college climates have diminished retention and persistence (Museus et al., 2017). Many colleges and universities are not fully aware of men of color’s intersectional needs and have yet to develop appropriate institutional responses to address these students’ depressed retention and graduation rates (Clark et al., 2013). Many college campuses also have not considered how the college environment and institutional factors contribute to students’ lack of connection with faculty, staff, and administration (Museus et al., 2017; Huerta, 2020; Hurtado & Carter, 1997; Rendon, 1994). The disconnection leads to perceptions that individual student failure is outside the scope of professional and moral responsibility and that students “should know” how to navigate a “hidden curriculum.” 

On this episode of the podcast I had the pleasure of sharing the mic with X'andri Bautista and Jaime Cortez Jimenez. Both whom are recent and soon to be university graduates. In this episode we had the chance to speak on behalf of our experience as men of color and the peer perspective of X'andri. Digging in further to why the statistics have continued to read very low in the number of men attending colleges and universities. We hope you enjoy this episode, feel free to reach out and hopefully we can continue to keep the conversation going. Alrato

Collaborative student project for CALS 403, Xandri, Miguel, Chuy