ASCENDING | Education at the Crossroads: "Black Studies as the Study of the World" for NYC Schools!

In episode 34 of ASCENDING, with host APRIL R. SILVER, we're focused on, once again, the state of public education in the United States. This time, we're speaking to DR. SHANGO BLAKE, a nationally recognized thought leader and equity advocate. Known as the Hip Hop Principal, Blake is also a heavily sought-after speaker on the topic of urban education. Also, Dr. Blake is President of Black Edfluencers-United (BE-U) where he co-created "Black Studies: A Study of the World," the first PreK–12 Black Studies Curriculum (now available to all New York City Public Schools... and to the public).

The robust conversation is focused on his own origin story in educational leadership, the positive impact of hip hop on urban education, how the Black Studies curriculum came about, and why it's relevant in a public school system that is as culturally diverse as New York City. We'll also discuss the merits and deficiencies of a public school system overall.

Also in this episode, BYRON HURT returns as a special guest to give us an update on how independent filmmakers are surviving these challenging times. On social media, Hurt tells us that in July, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). He has shared that as a consequence of this action, "the entire public media ecosystem is recalibrating." He adds: "I've had discussions with several colleagues – independent filmmakers like me – who have had their funding taken away because CPB has been defunded, or because the filmmakers' funders have had to ... re-allocate their monies so they can keep their doors open. We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars for some filmmakers... GONE!"

From centering the world through a Black Studies lens to seeing ourselves as our own safety nets in the face of the current anti-human machine that's running the White House, we're talking about it all here on #ASCENDING. Do chime in BELOW with your comments. We'd love to hear from you!

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