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? 

In this podcast episode, "Embracing Justice," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom to help students and colleagues recognize and reject stereotypes and understand how unfairness exists at both individual and systemic levels. In addition, they offer insight into analyzing the harmful impact that bias, injustice, power, and privilege has had on the world.

This episode explores the justice strand of the Social Justice Standards at learningforjustice.org.

 How will you help your colleagues and students highlight justice and injustice in their community?

Connecting with and honoring others through difference is essential in our diverse world of people, ideas, and environments. 

In this podcast episode, "A World of Difference," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom to help students and colleagues acknowledge and respect and highlight the differences that individuals bring with them. Discussing the diversity strand of the Social Justice Standards at learningforjustice.org, they share their insights into the importance of helping students develop the curiosity, language, and culture to understand the world more deeply and appreciate every individual's uniqueness.

What are some ways you do this in your classrooms or social environments?

Students must develop positive social identities that lead to belonging in their respective social identity groups.

In this episode, we discuss five of the 20 Social Justice Anchor Standards, which help individuals develop positive social identities based on their membership in different groups. The standards encourage acceptance of multiple identities, accurate language, recognition of complex individuals, confidence in one's identity while respecting others, and understanding different cultures.

A more vital self-awareness and appreciation for diversity can be achieved by embracing these standards. How will you apply these standards in your classroom?

About The DEI Back To School Edition, A 5-Part Series

As educators, we know that the back-to-school season can be both exciting and challenging. That's why we are excited to share with you the DEI Back To School Edition, a five-part series dedicated to helping you navigate some of the most pressing issues in education today.

Over the course of this series, we'll discuss topics like managing the cultural mismatch, addressing identity crises in the classroom, recognizing and celebrating a world of difference, embracing justice, and taking action to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, we hope you'll find this series to be a valuable resource as you work to create a safe, welcoming, and empowering learning environment for all of your students.

With over 80% of teachers in our country being White and over 50% of students being students of color, how can teachers best address the cultural mismatch that can exist with students?

In this podcast episode "Managing The Cultural Mismatch," Tonya and Erika discuss practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom where there may be a cultural mismatch between them and their students.

Some strategies include a willingness to confront biases, engage students in open dialogue, and understand cultural reference points. They can create an inclusive environment by using varied instructional styles, building strong relationships, and embracing a collectivist approach. By doing so, schools and classrooms can be genuinely welcoming for all.

About The DEI Back To School Edition, A 5-Part Series

As educators, we know that the back-to-school season can be both exciting and challenging. That's why we are excited to share with you the DEI Back To School Edition, a five-part series dedicated to helping you navigate some of the most pressing issues in education today.

Over the course of this series, we'll discuss topics like managing the cultural mismatch, addressing identity crises in the classroom, recognizing and celebrating a world of difference, embracing justice, and taking action to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, we hope you'll find this series to be a valuable resource as you work to create a safe, welcoming, and empowering learning environment for all of your students.

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss why promoting diversity in leadership positions is important.

Diversity in leadership is crucial for creating a fair and inclusive workplace. When people from different backgrounds and experiences are represented at all levels of an organization, it can lead to more creativity, innovation, and better decision-making.

It's important for organizations and leaders to seek out and promote diversity in their teams actively and to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By doing so, they can help to create a more equitable and successful workplace for all.

Does your workplace have a diverse leadership team, and if so, how has it impacted your workplace?

In this episode, Tonya and Erika continue discussing the advantages and disadvantages of privilege.

Is privilege not an honor? It's a question that often arises in discussions about meritocracy and diversity.

Some people believe that privilege is earned through hard work and success, while others argue that it is simply a result of one's race, gender, or social status. This debate often leads to discussions about white fragility and the ways in which those with privilege can become defensive when confronted with their own advantages. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge and address privilege in order to create a more equitable society.

We would love to hear from YOU! Share with us how privilege impacted your educational and career path.

Is privilege not an honor? It's a question that often arises in discussions about meritocracy and diversity. In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss the advantages and disadvantages of privilege.

Some people believe that privilege is earned through hard work and success, while others argue that it is simply a result of one's race, gender, or social status. This debate often leads to discussions about white fragility and the ways in which those with privilege can become defensive when confronted with their own advantages. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge and address privilege in order to create a more equitable society.

What type of privilege has impacted your life?

In this episode, recorded one week before the recent Supreme Court decision, Tonya and Erika discuss whether affirmative action is a thing of the past. While there have been efforts to address systemic inequalities through affirmative action policies, unconscious bias and the model minority myth continue to perpetuate inequities in employment, education, and other spheres. 

Resources like diversity training and inclusive hiring practices can serve as another teacher to combat these biases. Changing the law is one way to make progress, but changing the culture is equally important to achieve true equity. It is up to all of us to recognize and challenge our own biases and work towards a more just and equitable society.

What are your thoughts on this topic and what should be done about affirmative action post Supreme Court decision? 

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss how it's important to remember that fighting racism is not a political issue but a human rights issue that affects everyone. 

It's essential for schools to actively fight against anti-black racism because it is a pervasive issue that affects the well-being and success of black students. However, some predominately white school districts, that are taking a stand against anti-black racism, are receiving pushback from a few vocal members of the community. By standing up against racism, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

How will you encourage others to push through the discrimination and fear so that we can create a better society for our children? Share your journey with us.

In this episode, Tonya and Erika discuss the power of storytelling and how it contributes to our understanding and empathy for others with different experiences.

When we listen to someone's story, we can better understand their perspective and challenges. This leads to greater empathy and appreciation for diversity. We should encourage each other to share our stories to build a more inclusive and compassionate society. 

How will you share your story with others? What is your DEI story?