Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. On this episode our host, Dr. Theresa J. Canada, shares her story and experience of leaving her neighborhood school to P.S. 6, a predominantly white school on Manhattans Upper East Side, during the historic era of school desegregation. 

Dr. Canada reflects on her experience navigating this transition as a young student and the gratitude she now holds for the experience. She shares how the P.S. 6 community grounded her, exposed her to a more worldly view, and provided her with one of the best educational experiences.

We also explore the rich history of P.S. 6, one of New York Citys most esteemed public schools. Be sure to watch this episode on our YouTube channel, where Dr. Canada brings the story of P.S. 6 to life through a virtual tour. As always, subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Cedric Turner, Executive Director and Founder of Empower Yourself in Massachusetts. Mr. Turner shares his firsthand experience as a student during one of the most high-tension times in Bostons educational history, the school desegregation era of the early 1970s. 

As a student at English High School, at the time when it was 60% white and 40% Black, Mr. Turner offers us insight and perspective from his experience witnessing the impact of the landmark case Morgan v. Hennigan, ruled by Judge W. Arthur Garrity Jr. This case is well known for its controversial court-ordered busing that began in 1974, but Mr. Turner informs us that the main issue wasn't simply about racial imbalance, it was about equal access to quality education and resources for all students.  

Mr. Turner reflects on the tension and resilience of the city of Boston, and how those experiences shaped his perspective and ultimately his career path. Inspired by a Black principal who advocated for excellence, Mr. Turner went on to found Empower Yourself, a program focused on educational leadership and dedicated to helping young people realize their potential through education. Tune in for a powerful discussion that explores Bostons racial history and the lasting impact of integration efforts. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

In this thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada explores the often-overlooked role of Black boys in school integration. As the author of Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters, Dr. Canada revisits the powerful experiences of seven young Black and Brown girls who integrated P.S. 6, a predominantly white school in New York City. While their stories highlight strength and perseverance, this episode turns the spotlight toward the rarely told voices of the few Black boys who were also part of that desegregation effort.

Dr. Canada reflects on the limited number, just two Black boys, who entered P.S. 6 during the experiment and raises an important question: why were there so few? Together, we unpack the historical, cultural, and social factors that could have influenced these dynamics, including concerns for the safety of Black boys in predominantly white spaces during the 1960s and 70s.

Join us for an open and insightful conversation that examines how gender shaped the desegregation journey and why its vital to center the stories of Black boys in this pivotal chapter of American education history. Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Theresa J. Canada answers the question, Why this podcast, and why me? Her mission is to share, educate, connect, and shine a light on the often-overlooked history of school desegregation in the North and Midwest, from the 1960s to the present day. These stories are not just historical; they remain deeply relevant and shape how we understand equity in education now.

The podcast explores how education intersects with sports, law, medicine, and psychology, offering listeners a broader view of the systems that impact communities. Through personal stories and expert guests, Dr. Canada amplifies voices that bring insight, experience, and new perspectives to the conversation.

At its core, the show aims to build community and encourage open dialogue across racial and ethnic lines. Exposure to diverse experiences encourages a more worldly and empathetic perspective. As Dr. Canada powerfully states, this podcast is an invitation to redefine how people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds across this country connect, so we can learn from each other, learn about each other, and ultimately, learn to live with each other.

Join the conversation! Share with a friend and be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Dr. Robin Gustafson, Professor of Psychology at Western Connecticut State University and Cognitive Scientist, for a deep dive into the science of learning and the cognitive effects of school integration.

Dr. Gustafson, who holds a Ph.D. in Human Cognition and Learning from Columbia University, shares her insight into how learning is a fundamental, automatic process of the human brain, something the mind cant stop doing. Drawing on years of research in cognitive science, she breaks down what this means for students, educators, and the environments in which we learn.

Dr. Gustafson reflects on her own educational journey growing up in Massachusetts, where she attended a predominantly white public high school that bused Black and Brown students in from Boston. As an early ally of the schools Black Student Union, she emphasizes the critical importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized students within educational environments.

Both Dr. Canada and Dr. Gustafson explore the cognitive and emotional effects of school integration, particularly for Black and Brown students navigating unfamiliar and often unwelcoming environments. Together, they examine how these experiences shape learning, identity, and mental health. Tune in and be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

In this thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, we dive deep into the impact of school desegregation in the North and Midwest, asking the critical question: Did it truly result in better opportunities for Black children?

Join our host, Dr. Theresa J. Canada, as she reflects on her personal experience as a young student in a desegregation experiment and how it shaped her global perspective. We explore whether desegregation led to greater access to higher education, career pathways, and long-term professional success for Black students.

This episode also highlights the 1970s Effective Schools Movement, a pivotal chapter in education reform. With its core belief that "schools can be effective regardless of racial composition," the movement emphasized that school success depends more on social and economic conditions than race alone. We also focus on the critical role of social context, including cultural norms, values, beliefs, traditions, social structures, and relationships. These elements shape how individuals experience and interpret education, opportunity, and identity. Dr. Canada thoughtfully navigates the complexities of this topic, acknowledging what truly drives student success.

Tune in for a compelling conversation that blends personal insight, historical context, and educational analysis to explore how desegregation shaped and continues to shape the educational experience for Black and Brown students. Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we are honored to welcome Amy Cohen, an educator, storyteller, and author. After teaching middle and high school social studies for 20 years, Ms. Cohen transitioned in 2013 to become the Director of Education at History Making Productions. Today, she shares insights from her book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy, which uncovers the rich and often overlooked Black history of Philadelphia.

Together, we explore the deep and complex history of Philadelphias Black community: its leaders, its legacy, and its lasting impact. Ms. Cohen shares compelling stories, historical context, and data that shed light on the city's legacy of African American leadership, the impact of desegregation in the North, and Malcolm Xs connection to Philadelphia. Ms. Cohen also reflects on her experience teaching African American history in the first district in the U.S. to require it.

This episode is a deep dive into the importance of inclusive history, the power of education, and the need to acknowledge and amplify the voices that have shaped our cities and our country. As Ms. Cohen powerfully reminds us:  Being American is more than a pride we inherit; it's the past we step into and how we repair it. 

Tune in for a powerful conversation that bridges history, education, and social justice. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada, an experienced educator and researcher, dives deep into the psychological and emotional impact of segregation on students. Drawing from both academic research and her own lived experiences, Dr. Canada explores how the environment in which children learn significantly shapes their mental health, self-concept, and academic achievement.

This episode focuses on the crucial role of education in shaping a more equitable and mentally healthy society. Dr. Canada discusses how teachers and quality education play a pivotal role in supporting students emotional well-being, regardless of whether schools are segregated or desegregated. She also reflects on her personal journey, as detailed in her book Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters, revealing how the past continues to shape and influence todays educational system.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into how systemic inequities continue to affect students today, why mental health must be prioritized in education, and how shifting attitudes can lead to meaningful behavioral change. Dr. Canada emphasizes that education is about more than academics, it's also about supporting the emotional and developmental needs of the student. 

Join us for a conversation that explores the role of teachers, the effects of segregation, and offers actionable steps to support students and promote equity in education.Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Stephanie Deutsch, acclaimed writer and critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Weekly Standard, The Millions blog, and numerous local publications. Ms. Deutsch is the author of You Need a Schoolhouse: Booker T. Washington, Julius Rosenwald, and the Building of Schools for the Segregated South, a compelling exploration of one of the most impactful educational partnerships in American history.

Growing up in segregated Arlington, Virginia, where she attended an all-white elementary school, Ms. Deutsch offers a personal perspective on how recent and lasting the impact of segregation remains. Through research and lived experience, she highlights educations power to drive change.

At the center of our conversation is the extraordinary collaboration between Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, president and part-owner of Sears. Together, they started a transformative school-building program that led to the creation of over 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, which provided access to quality education for Black children across the segregated South. The generations that attended these schools would go on to become key leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, proving that education truly is the foundation of change.

Join us as we dive into the deep history and ongoing relevance of Washington and Rosenwalds partnership, the importance of equitable access to quality education, and the role of education in civil rights and social transformation. Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. Today, we welcome Rosa E. Blackwell, a retired educator and former Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, who dedicated 36 years to transforming education and uplifting communities. Ms. Blackwell shares her personal journey growing up in Cincinnati, shaped by a foundation of faith, family, and work ethic. Influenced by teachers who held high expectations and showed respect for all students, she made it her mission to ensure every child, regardless of background, had access to quality education.

Ms. Blackwell highlights the critical role adults play in shaping the lives of young people, emphasizing that excuses should never be the reason children fall victim to low expectations. Her commitment to excellence and community empowerment is evident as she speaks passionately about the need to hold all students to high standards.

Our host, Dr. Canada and Ms. Blackwell reflect on their contrasting academic experiences: Dr. Canadas shaped by desegregation and Ms. Blackwells by segregation. This comparison opens a deeper conversation about the level of support students receive in different educational environments and the effects of systemic inequities. Ms. Blackwell discusses the integration of Cincinnatis school system. She shares her insights on the ongoing challenges of training teachers and administrators to effectively educate students across diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about creating inclusive, affirming school environments, leadership, and the unwavering belief in every childs potential. Remember to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!