In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE, we sit down with Dr. Jamila Dugan—liberatory leadership coach, former teacher, and co-author of Street Data—to explore what it means to radically dream, lead, rest, and mother in an unjust world. Drawing from her upbringing in Oakland, Dr. Dugan shares how her early schooling experiences ignited her passion for equity and how her years in the classroom shaped her transformative vision of leadership. Together, we unpack the meaning of "radical dreaming" and why it’s an essential practice for educators committed to justice and liberation. Dr. Dugan also reflects on the healing power of rest, the intentional parenting strategies she uses to affirm her children’s identities, and what inner peace looks like on the journey of self-discovery. To learn more about Jamila's work, you can visit her website at jamiladugan.com or follow her on LinkedIn. SPECIAL PROMOTION!! Radical Dreaming Community of Practice (2025–2026) Hosted by Dr. Jamila Dugan, Dr. Annie Phan, and Hanaa Elmi Get 10% off when you mention Identity Talk! This yearlong experience is for educators and leaders ready to reimagine what’s possible—and take bold, collective steps to bring those dreams to life. Through 10 virtual sessions, we’ll build a community grounded in joy, purpose, and transformation. Designed for educators, instructional coaches, school and system leaders, and nonprofit partners, this cohort is for those yearning to move beyond Equity-Centered Transformation 101. With two tailored tracks—one for instructional leaders and one for administrative leaders—this community supports participants in both dreaming about the possibilities of a more meaningful education and building the skills, mindsets, and tools needed to create real change in our systems now. At a time when many feel constrained and exhausted, this experience offers something different: a bold invitation to reimagine education, reconnect with our purpose, and co-create learning environments where students—and the adults who serve them—can truly thrive. Want to join us? Click ​on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4m8sv7LTZ6IvPpEK1WRiDt6Rv4u6qgqfrPcM1HNuLqHFn4g/viewform?usp=header​ to fill out a quick interest form. That helps us figure out if this experience is the right fit for you. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:00 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:01-3:01 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:02-5:52 - Introducing Dr. Jamila Dugan 5:53-19:25 - Jamila's Start in Education & K-12 Schooling Journey 19:26-24:45 - Jamila's Journey in Liberatory Education 24:46-25:24 -Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 25-25-30:59 - Unpacking Radical Dreaming in Education 31:00-38:18 - The Value of Rest 38:19-39:17 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 39:18-43:47 - Kwame's Radical Dream 43:48-48:03 - Jamila's Radical Dream 48:04-54:05 - Jamila's Motherhood Journey 54:06-55:53 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 55:54-58:01 - How to connect with Jamila 58:02-58:42 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Jamila Dugan is an educator, coach, and author who has spent her career uplifting the experiences of students, families, and educators whose voices have historically been marginalized. Her work weaves together ancestral knowledge legacies, strength-based coaching approaches, and strategic thinking to open up worlds of possibility. She works with educators to align visions for creating a more abundant future to everyday impact on the next generation of leaders and students.

In this week's episode, I had the honor of welcoming Aldaine Wynter to the podcast to talk about growing up in the U.K, his early life as a gymnastics coach, transitioning into teaching, climbing the ladder as an international school leader, and so much more! To learn more about Aldaine's work, you can visit the Washington International School website at wis.edu/diversity or follow him on LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:02 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:03-3:47 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:48-5:33 - Introducing Aldaine Wynter 5:34-7:43- Aldaine's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 7:44-11:00 - Gymnastics Coaching Career & Its Influence in Educator Career 11:01-14:20 - Aldaine's K-12 Schooling Journey 14:21-14:58 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 14-59-16:58 - Transitioning into the Education Field 16:59-21:40- Leadership Aspirations 21:41-25:49 - Growing as a Black International School Leader 25:50-28:01 - Comparing Life in the U.S & the U.K as a Black Man 28:02-30:33 - What is International Mindedness? 30:34-31:32 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 31:33-34:44 - How Recent Actions of U.S Government Have Impacted Aldaine's Work 34:45-38:07 - What makes a quality DEI program at an international school? 38:08-41:42 - What do the next 5 years look like for Aldaine? 41:43-43:27 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 43:28-44:47 - How to connect with Aldaine 44:48-45:22 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Aldaine Wynter is the inaugural Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity, and Inclusion (IDI) at Washington International School (WIS), a role he assumed in 2023 as the school's first-ever leader in this domain. With a career-spanning leadership in international education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy, Aldaine has been instrumental in fostering inclusive school environments across multiple global contexts. Prior to WIS, Aldaine served as Head of Pastoral and Operations at Wetherby Senior School in London, where he also led the school's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Before Wetherby, he was the Global Diversity and Inclusion coordinator at Dwight School London, overseeing DEI initiatives across Dwight campuses in London, New York, Shanghai, Dubai, and Seoul (2020–2022). His work involved developing and executing strategic DEI programs across multiple continents, shaping policies that promoted equity and international-mindedness.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming back Dr. Tyra Good, the executive director of Elms College Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE), as well as Dominique McDonald, academic coordinator for CEUE, and 2025 graduate Bianca Bonsu. In our conversation, the CEUE team talked about the origin and evolution of the program, reflect on their 5-month partnership with Identity Talk Consulting, share personal reflections about their reading of "Learning to Relearn", and much more! To learn more about Elms College CEUE, you can visit their main website at https://www.elms.edu/ceue/. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:04 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:05-4:02 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 4:03-8:40 - Introducing Dr. Tyra Good & Dominique McDonald 8:41-9:46 - Introducing Bianca Bonsu 9:47-18:05 - Origin & Evolution of Elms College CEUE 18:06-25:44 - Elms College CEUE's Impact on Bianca 25:45-26:23 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 26:24-41:21 - Identity Talk x Elms College CEUE Partnership 41:22-51:02 - Elms College CEUE Reflections on "Learning to Relearn" (Pt. 1) 51:03-52:01 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 52:02-1:06:24 - Elms College CEUE Reflections on "Learning to Relearn" (Pt. 2) 1:06:25-1:11:29 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:11:30-1:16:41 - How to connect with Elms College CEUE 1:16:42-1:18:03 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Tyra Good is the founding faculty director, Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) at Elms College. Good has more than 10 years of experience teaching education, and, most recently, she was assistant professor of practice in education at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. Good is the founder and chief academic consultant for GOOD Knowledge Connections and the founder of the Black Educators Network (BEN) of Greater Pittsburgh. The BEN is a strategic team of K-12, Higher Education, and community educators working across school district and community lines to help ensure the academic and personal success of African-American youth from underserved communities. Most recently, Dr. Good was awarded a 2019 National Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship through Big Picture Learning and Internationals Network for Public Schools. Deeper Learning Equity Fellows are exceptional leaders, education practitioners, policy advocates, and researchers who are committed to expanding Deeper Learning educational practices aimed at improving public education opportunities for underserved communities. Good received her bachelor’s in business management from Howard University, a master of arts in teaching from Chatham University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and evaluation from Duquesne University. Dominique McDonald, Academic Coordinator for CEUE, is an alum of Western New England University with a B.A. in English and is currently working towards an M.Ed at Elms College. He recruits for the Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master in Education, Master in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Bioethics, and Postbaccalaureate Premedical Studies Certificate programs. He is a lover of animals and the outdoors but also a big fan of reading fiction, playing video games and singing karaoke. Bianca Bonsu has worked as a paraprofessional for the Springfield Public Schools for 10 years. She will be graduating from Elms College this year with a B.A. in Education and her Massachusetts teaching credential.