"Why is it so Hard? Shining through the Shadow of Resistance” with Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Newman Leak

In the podcast episode "Justice Through Student Advocacy and Voice," Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak have an insightful conversation with Doug Newman, Principal of Collingswood High School. Doug talks about his approach towards prioritizing students' voice in the school system and how it has led to positive changes and improvements in the school.

He shares his vision for a culturally responsive school system that values every student's background and creates an inclusive environment where every student feels heard and valued.

If you're interested in learning more about how student advocacy and voice can transform a school system and positively impact students' lives, you can find this podcast on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Radio Public. Additionally, the episode is available to watch on TESO's YouTube Channel.

In the podcast episode "Workforce Equity," Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak discuss ASPIRE's mission and goals with Curtis Myers, the organization's Founder and President. ASPIRE provides unique and engaging programs and services to help prepare young adults for their future careers.

During the podcast, Curtis talks about the inspiration behind the creation of ASPIRE and the collaborative approach with government, education, non-profit, and industry partners. He also shares stories of previous clients who have benefited from the program, highlighting the diverse career exploration opportunities it offers.

If you're interested in listening to the podcast, you can find TESO Consulting Group’s DEI Podcast Series "Why is it so Hard? Shining Through The Shadow of Resistance with Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Newman Leak" on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Radio Public. Additionally, the episode is also available to watch on TESO's YouTube Channel.

In the podcast episode "Justice And Mental Health," Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak converse with Erika Kelley, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sage Horizons, LLC and Founding Member & Managing Director for Soaring Phoenix Corp.

Kelley discusses the numerous obstacles that young people face when attempting to access mental health services, as well as the critical factors that contribute to the lack of access to mental health care among young people, particularly in underserved communities. She also explains how socioeconomic factors, such as income and insurance status, affect a young person's ability to obtain mental health services.

TESO Consulting Group’s DEI Podcast Series "Why is it so Hard? Shining Through The Shadow of Resistance with Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Newman Leak can be found on various platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Radio Public. Additionally, the episode can also be watched on TESO's YouTube Channel.

In the podcast episode titled "Social Justice: Advocacy in the Community," Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak interview Teska Frisby, who is the City Council President of Trenton, NJ.

During the discussion, Frisby talks about her journey towards becoming a champion of justice and her involvement in local politics. The episode explores the topic of social justice and the importance of advocating for change within the community. Frisby shares her experiences and insights on creating a positive impact, overcoming resistance, and pushing for progress in the face of adversity.

TESO Consulting Group’s DEI Podcast Series "Why is it so Hard? Shining Through The Shadow of Resistance with Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Newman Leak can be found on various platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Radio Public. Additionally, the episode can also be watched on TESO's YouTube Channel.

In this episode, "A Journey Through Justice," Dr. Tonya Breland takes us on a powerful journey to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama, where she shares her personal experiences and family ties to one of these iconic Southern cities.

Through her exploration of historical landmarks and encounters with local residents, Dr. Breland offers a deep insight into the injustices faced by Black people and the ongoing fight for civil rights. She also attends a riveting presentation by Civil Rights Lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, the one behind the founding of both The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the Peace & Justice Memorial. She also takes a walk on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, offering a powerful look into the city's past and present.

Learning about our history is crucial for shaping our future, and this episode highlights the importance of understanding the struggles and triumphs of those whose shoulders we stand on, many of whom suffered violence and their lives.

Join us as we embark on this journey with Dr. Breland as our guide and discover how learning about our history can impact our future.

In this episode of TESO Consulting Group's DEI podcast series, "Why is it so Hard? Shining Through The Shadow of Resistance," Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak discuss the importance of positive racial identity and provide insights on how educators can create intentional positive experiences around a student's racial identity.

In Part 4: Say It Loud: Positive Racial Identity, they explore ways to center diverse perspectives in order to foster a sense of belonging for all students. The hosts also emphasize the need for educators to reflect on their personal biases and the importance of empowering student voice in the classroom.

Furthermore, Dr. Breland and Mrs. Leak stress the significance of collaboration with families to create a supportive learning environment that celebrates diversity.

Tune in to learn how you can create a positive and inclusive environment that affirms the racial identity of all students.

Have you ever found yourself inadvertently using a negative stereotype phrase or label when complimenting a co-worker or student?

Join Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak in Part 3 of their latest series, "Things I Wish I Knew About Race," where they discuss cultural stereotypes and the importance of avoiding offensive language. 

This episode entitled "What Did I Say Wrong?" specifically addresses how to recognize and address cultural stereotypes that surface in your classroom.

Don't miss out on the chance to join the conversation and share your own thoughts.

Tune in to be inspired and learn how to create transformative, equitable systems that benefit everyone.

Calling All Educators and Administrators! Get ready for an eye-opening discussion on the use of the N-word in today's culture. Join Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak in Part 2 of their latest series, "Things I Wish I Knew About Race," as they delve into the history and impact of this controversial word. 

In this episode, titled "What About the 'N' Word?," you'll learn why it's important to address the use of this word, and how educators can handle it in their classrooms. Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak share their insights on the entertainment industry's use of the N-word in shows and songs, and they invite you to join the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on this issue.

Tune in and be inspired to create transformative, equitable systems that benefit everyone.

Join Dr. Tonya Breland and Erika Leak in Part 1 of their new series, Things I Wish I Knew About Race. In this episode, "Mistakes Teachers Make," they discuss some of the common errors made by educators with respect to racial and cultural interactions in the classroom. For example, they take a look at events like cultural celebrations and discuss challenges with confining it to a day or month rather than integrating diverse cultures into daily routines and interactions.

Tune in today and be inspired to promote transformative equitable systems in our schools and communities.

In this podcast episode, "Embracing Action," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom to help students and colleagues to embrace empathy and oppose exclusion, prejudice, and injustice. They talk about ways for educators to encourage students to speak up with bravery and respect against bias and how students can plan collective action. 

Discussing the action strand of the Social Justice Standards at learningforjustice.org helps teachers give students the skills to take what they have learned about identity, diversity, and justice and apply it in their communities. 

How are you encouraging students and colleagues to speak up and take action?