Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Earl Crawford Jr. Earl is a director and principal of multiple programs that serve at-risk youth. He views himself as a “servant leader”, but prefers to leave out the word “leader.” Ashanti and Earl work in the same field. But beyond discussing the world of education, they take off their masks and explore their fears, their family relationships, and how life can be summed up with a tortoise and a hare.

(1:29) Ashanti’s introduction.

(4:30) Earl introduces himself and his work, and Ashanti shares how they have overlapped in education circles.

(7:20) Ashanti walks Earl through his first time making a mask.

(11:05) Earl and Ashanti share the fronts of their masks. Earl - engaging, hopeful, strong, Ashanti - caring, hard working, dedicated.

(13:55) Earl shares the back of his mask - domestic violence perpetrator and victim, vulnerability, when I’m hurt or sad. He reflects on his tendency to withdraw from vulnerable situations, while still seeking the relief derived from sharing. He also shares how he feels like the traits on the front and back of his mask can be taken advantage of.

(16:05) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, sadness, childhood trauma. He shares how social media has put himself in touch with a multitude of fears. Earl then encourages Ashanti by taking the tortoise and the hare fable to the next level, and Ashanti reflects on how he has become older and wiser.

(23:22) Ashanti and Earl find commonality in their respective careers in education, as well as their lives as students in the very same city and system that they serve.

(28:00) Ashanti and Earl break down Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Masks”, and what it means for both students and adults in the education system.

(30:35) Earl shares his experiences, important learnings, and regrets as a father.

(35:44) Earl gives a message to young people who may be hesitant to make a mask.

(36:55) Earl shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Earl Crawford Jr.

Instagram: instagram.com/encjr81

Twitter: twitter.com/encjr81

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/earl-c-40646014

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected]

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

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Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message