Enjoy the full uncut conversation from our episode 'Meet the BIPOC Press Roundtable:  Abbott Elementary Teaches Us All' featuring co-hosts from URL Media S. Mitra Kalita & Sara Lomax-Reese; and guests Joyce M. Abbott, Educator & Climate Manager Philadelphia School District ducator & Abbott Elementary Namesake; Sheryl Lee Ralph, Leading Actor for ABC Comedy Series ‘Abbott Elementary’ & Activist

Description:  Can you remember the last time when the challenges that inner city public school teachers face were the subject of a popular TV series? Abbott Elementary — which has just been renewed for a second season on ABC — does just that. The Philadelphia school on TV is fictional, but the challenges it faces are all too real. Closely based on the school that series creator (and star) Quinta Brunson attended, and especially her experiences with Ms. Abbott, her 6th grade teacher, the show combines art, education and activism. On this month’s Meet The BIPOC Press with URL Media, real-life educator Joyce Abbott joins acclaimed actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph from the series, to discuss what the show's success shows us about this moment, when educators, especially teachers of color, are leaving the profession in droves. Can a TV show help stem the tide, shift the culture and change policy? Among her many accolades, Ralph starred in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Is quality education for all, a dream? Laura Flanders and co-hosts Mitra Kalita and Sara Lomax-Reese don't think it should be.

Full research and reading list to further delve into the conversation is available at Patreon.com/theLFShow 

Guests:

Joyce M. Abbott: Educator & Abbott Elementary Namesake

Sheryl Lee Ralph: Actress & Activist

S. Mitra Kalita (Co-Host): CEO & Co-Founder, URL Media

Sara Lomax-Reese (Co-Host): Co-Founder, URL Media

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Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders, along with Sabrina Artel, Jeremiah Cothren, Veronica Delgado, Janet Hernandez, Jeannie Hopper, Gina Kim, Sarah Miller, Nat Needham, David Neuman, and Rory O’Conner. 

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ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel