In this week's episode, I had the opportunity to catch up with fellow Temple University alum Keziah Ridgeway to learn about her early upbringing in Philly, her journey into Islam and educational activism, overcoming adversity, the legacy of Black educators in Philly, and much more! To learn more about Keziah, you can visit her website at keziahridgeway.com or follow her on Instagram (@teachkizzyteach). 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: 0:00-1:23 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:55 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:56-6:30 - Introducing Keziah Ridgeway 6:31-9:10 - Keziah's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 9:11-13:16 - Keziah's K-12 Schooling Journey 13:17-18:57 - Temple Memories & Philly Talk 18:58-19:35 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 19:36-39:12 - Journey into Islam and Educational Activism 39-13-41:21 - What's Next for Keziah? 41:22-42:21 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 42:22-46:41 - Carrying on the Legacy of Black Educators in Philly 46:42-53:48 - Personal Loss; Influence of Maternal Figures; Motherhood 53:49-54:59 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 55:00-56:43 - How to connect with Keziah 56:44-57:14 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Keziah Ridgeway is a Philadelphia area educator, activist, wife, and mother. She’s also a published writer with articles appearing in Sister's Magazine, Common Ground News, and Edweek. She has also made media appearances on CNN, CBS, and local Philadelphia news outlets and has appeared in USA Today and the New York Times. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History, primarily with a focus on Southwest Asia, Africa & Central/South America (Temple University) and a master's in Secondary Education (Saint Joseph's University). Over the last 9 years she has taught World History, African American History and Social & Cultural Anthropology at a public high school in Northeast Philadelphia. As a curriculum developer and facilitator, she co-created an Antiracist training curriculum, helped develop Colored Conventions lessons for a partnership with the University of Delaware and partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to help revamp the history curriculum. Keziah also created a mutual aid program called Groceries For Philly and was featured in the book, “How We Stay Free: Notes on a Black Uprising” in which students she helped mentor in the group Philly Black Students Alliance wrote about her contribution to their political development during the 2020 Uprisings. As the result of offering free, live virtual African American History classes that students joined from around the nation during Covid and other activities performed as an educator, Keziah won the prestigious Lindback Teacher Award for distinguished teachers in 2020. She is also the author of the children’s book, “Black Women Do: Leaders of the African Diaspora." Keziah also curates discussion groups, presentations and panels around Islamophobia, Black Muslim History, African American History, Educators of Color, and Racism that are aimed at creating a safe and equitable environment within education and society.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Asia Lyons to the podcast to talk about her early childhood in Detroit, her teaching career, transitioning out of the K-12 classroom, racial battle fatigue of Black educators, the need to center wellness of Black educators, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Asia's work, you can visit her website at lyonseducationalconsulting.com or follow her on Instagram (@hellodrasia) and LinkedIn. You can also subscribe to the Exit Interview podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all other streaming platforms. 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: 0:00-1:23 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:24-3:47 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:48-6:02 - Introducing Dr. Asia Lyons 6:03-12:15- Dr. Asia's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 12:16-16:33 - Dr. Asia's K-12 Schooling Journey 16:34-19:23 - Dr. Asia's Early Years as a Classroom Teacher 19:24-20:23 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 20:24-29:23 - Transitioning out of K-12 Classroom Teaching 29-24-35:17 - Racial Battle Fatigue & Its Impact on Black Educators (Part 1) 35:18-35:55 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 35:56-37:55 - Racial Battle Fatigue & Its Impact on Black Educators (Part 2) 37:56-53:08 - Advice for New Black Teachers, Normalizing Wellness Days for Black Students 53:09-56:03 - How to redesign education and center Black Educator's voices 56:04-57:53 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 57:54-59:44 - How to connect with Dr. Asia 59:45-1:00:29 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Asia Lyons is the founder and lead consultant for Lyons Educational Consulting LLC, a consulting and coaching firm that supports schools and other non-profits through equity auditing of their programming, co-creation of culturally responsive programming and curriculum, and job-embedded coaching. Prior to founding Lyons Educational Consulting, Dr. Lyons worked as a K-12 educator for over 10 years. She also served as the Equity in Schools Specialist in a Denver based non-profit, a role in which she worked with schools and non-profit partners across the Denver Metro Area to provide communities with resources to support the closing of the access gap for BIPOC youth. In addition to her work in coaching and consulting, Dr. Lyons is an adjunct instructor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado – Denver. She obtained her doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity, where her research focuses on the ways that racism-related stress crosses over from Black educators to their families. Finally, Dr. Lyons is the co-host of The Exit Interview, a podcast focusing on the lived experiences of former Black educators.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Sofia Gonzalez, who opened up about her early upbringing in Chicago, her Mexerican heritage, the inspiration behind her non-profit journey and education advocacy work, working through teacher trauma, and so much more ! To learn more about Sofia's work, you can visit her website at sofiaspeaks.com or follow her on Instagram (@_sofiaspeaks) and 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 A 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 1:03-3:30 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:31-5:55 - Introducing Sofia Gonzalez 5:56-10:35 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 10:36-20:24 - Mexerican heritage & impact on education advocacy work 20:25-21:25 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 21:26-25:57 - Sofia's K-12 Schooling Journey 25:58-33:51 - Project 214 & Non-Profit Journey 33:52-34:29 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 34:30-40:06 - Inspiration behind her creativity 40:07-51:15 - Working Through Trauma & Birth of National Speaking Tour 51:16-55:25 - The moment that Mrs. G and Sofia became one 55:26-56:28 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 56:29-57:36 - How to connect with Sofia 57:37-58:20 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Sofia Gonzalez is a High School AP English teacher, Nonprofit Leader, and Education Activist from Illinois. She has been in the field of education for 15 years and has a deep passion for students & teachers who are disadvantaged. She’s a sought-after keynote speaker & podcast host who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a message that’s infectious. She has received national teacher recognitions and nominations such as 2019 Top Educator of the Year with the National Society of High School Scholars, 2021 Golden Apple Nominee for Teaching & Excellence and 2022 Authenticity Award with Latinx Education Collaborative. She is also a nonprofit Lead Visionary for Project 214 which promotes education in underserved areas for students and teachers on the margins. An alum in various spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom at a national and international level.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming my good friend Benita Gordon to the podcast to share about her early upbringing in Virginia, her HBCU experience at Hampton, her natural hair journey, entering the world of microschooling, and so much more! To learn more about Benita's work, check out the Education Concierge Podcast and follow her on Instagram (@theeduconcierge) and 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 A 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: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:33 - Subscription Reminder & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:34-5:36 - Introducing Benita Gordon 5:37-13:10 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 13:11-16:20 - HBCU Experience at Hampton University 16:21-20:44 - Early years as a teacher in Virginia 20:45-26:00 - Natural Hair Journey 26:01-30:38 - Making the shift to microschooling 30:39-31:16 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 31:17- 35:17 - Treating students as our customers 35:18-41:15 - The role of microschooling in current sociopolitical climate 41:15-47:18 - Accreditation process for microschools 47:19-48:19 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 48:20-57:13 - Unpacking Ghana ASCD International Education Summit Experience 57:14-59:27 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 59:28-1:01:31 - How to connect with Benita 1:01:32-1:02:07 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Benita Gordon is an innovative education leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Global Education Concierge. With a deep passion for personalized learning and transformative educational experiences, she spearheads initiatives to empower students and educators alike. As the host of The Education Concierge Podcast and founder of Miami MicroLearn Hub, Benita is a go-to expert in non-traditional education models, education technology integration, and consulting for innovative school design and management. In addition to her work in the U.S., Benita serves on the board of Amie Academy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational development in underserved communities. In this role, she supports Amie Academy in Sierra Leone, expanding educational access and fostering sustainable change. Focusing on leveraging technology, personalized learning journeys, and operational excellence, Benita collaborates with educators and leaders to reimagine education globally.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Zaretta Hammond, who opened up about her early upbringing in San Francisco, the 10th anniversary of her best-sellingTo 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 A 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 book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain", her thoughts on the term 'DEI' and the latest trends in teacher education, her first visit to Africa, and so much more! To learn more about Zaretta's work, you can visit her website at crtandthebrain.com or follow her on LinkedIn. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:01 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:02-5:22 - Introducing Zaretta Hammond 5:23-11:08 - Early childhood & Inspiration for becoming an educator 11:07-21:45 - Zaretta's K-12 Schooling Journey 21:46-22:45 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 22:46-36:13 - Perspective on the term "DEI" and its impact on education consulting 36:14-42:02 - The Lasting Legacy of CRT & The Brain; 10-year anniversary 42:03-42:40 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 42:41-55:01 - Latest trends and issues in Teacher Education Programs; Teacher Coaching/Consulting in schools 55:02-59:21 - Zaretta's experience at Ghana ASCD IES, 1st visit to Africa 59:22-1:05:50 - Remembering William Hanson 🙏🏿 1:05:51-1:07:23 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:07:24-1:09:50 - How to connect with Sofia 1:09:51-1:10:35 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant and the author of the best-selling book ⁠Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students⁠. She holds a Master’s in Education in English Education, with a concentration in Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Zaretta is a former high school and community college expository writing instructor. She has also served as adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s College School of Education in Moraga, California, where she taught The Foundations of Adolescent Literacy.  As a consultant, she has advised and provided professional development to school districts and non-profit organizations across the country around issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 25 years. Zaretta brings a unique focus on neuroscience to the conversation about equity, literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy to make it understandable and practical for educators.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Yaritza Villalba to the podcast to share about her Panamanian heritage, growing up in Brooklyn, discovering her love for teaching, the founding of McKenzie's Adventures, navigating life as a CEO and a mother, and so much more! To learn more about Yaritza's work, you can visit her website at mckenziesadventures.com or follow her on Instagram (@mckenziesadventures), Twitter/X (@McKenzies_Adv), and 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 A 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 1:05-3:33 - Subscription Reminder & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:34-5:23 - Introducing Yaritza Villalba 5:24-9:56 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 9:57-13:55 - Yaritza's K-12 Schooling Journey 13:56-16:41 - Incorporating counterstories in history curriculum 16:42-17:42 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 17:43-28:38 - How McKenzie's Adventures got started & diving into the Ed Tech space 28:39-29:15 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 29:16-37:02 - Transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship with Mckenzie's Adventures 37:03- 44:11 - Marrying EdTech tools with project-based learning and CRSE principles 44:12-49:12 - Motherhood 49:13-50:34 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 50:35-51:37 - How to connect with Yaritza 51:38-52:17 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Yaritza Villalba is an Education Consultant, currently leading professional learning opportunities, centered on culturally responsive sustaining education (CRSE) and project-based learning, to an international network of educators. With thirteen years of experience in urban education, Yaritza supplies many effective strategies and resources for educating and supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students and families. After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany, she began her career teaching Social Studies to overaged, under credited high school students in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. Later, she earned her first master's degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn, where she studied Adolescent Urban Education and expounded her knowledge of inclusive pedagogical practices. Over her career, Yaritza became an Assistant Principal of an Expeditionary Learning School, CEO and Founder of McKenzie’s Adventures LLC, and an Author of culturally relevant children's books. Yaritza’s overall mission is to create opportunities and experiences for students of color to gain fair access to resources that spark critical thinking and meaningful conversations in and out of the classroom.

In this episode, I welcomed Ambola Colette Nchindo to the podcast to talk about her early upbringing in Cameroon, navigating the international school ecosystem as an African woman, living and working in Venezuela, and so much more! To learn more about Ambola's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@ambola1990) and LinkedIn. BIO: Ambola Colette Nchindo is a Cameroonian educator who comes with over 10 years of international teaching experience. She is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Examiner and currently serves the IB Economics & Business Teacher at Escuela Campo Alegre in Venezuela. 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 A 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: 0:00-1:06 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:07-4:30 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 4:31-6:47 - Introducing Ambola Colette Nchindo 6:48-12:14 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 12:15-17:57 - Ambola's Schooling Journey 17:58-21:07 - Ambola's Transition from Cameroon to Venezuela 21:08-21:44 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 21:45-34:12 - Living & Working in Venezuela 34:13-36:51 - Differences between Cameroonian & Venezuelan Schooling Experience 36:52-37:52 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 37:53-39:38 - Differences between Cameroonian & Venezuelan Schooling Experience (cont.) 39:39-44:21 - Managing Work Fatigue & Burnout Prevention 44:22- 52:10 - How to improve recruitment & retention of African teachers in international schools 52:11-53:36 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 53:37-54:38 - How to connect with Ambola 54:39-55:23 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Katrina Daniels-Samasa, who opened up about her early upbringing in Detroit, her life as a Black expat and international educator, her perspectives on the term "DEI", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Katrina's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@black_americans_living_abroad) and 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 A 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 1:03-3:50 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:51-5:59 - Introducing Katrina Daniels-Samasa 6:00-8:46 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 8:47-13:17 - Katrina's K-12 Schooling Journey 13:18-20:22 - Early Years at Michigan State University & Early Abroad Experiences 20:23-21:23 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 21:24-33:26 - Black Americans Living Abroad (BALA) 33:27-44:33 - Katrina's Perspective on the term "DEI" (Part 1) 44:34-45:11 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 45:12-53:15 - Katrina's Perspective on the term "DEI" (Part 2) 53:16-1:05:30 - Motherhood; Neurodiversity in International Schools 1:05:31-1:06:39 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:06:40-1:07:07- How to connect with Katrina 1:07:08-1:09:00 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Katrina Daniels-Samasa has over 25 years experience in education and leadership working in suburban and inner city schools in the United States, rural and city areas in the United Arab Emirates, and in Jeju, South Korea. Her most recent overseas stint was in the UK to conduct informal research for a book. Her studies in Education and Sociology as an undergraduate and Curriculum and Instruction as a graduate paired with her life as an expatriate educator has helped to shaped her understanding of creating inclusive environments for students in the classrooms and schools she has worked in globally. Outside of teaching, Katrina is the founder of Black Americans Living Abroad (BALA), a thriving community of more than 11k members who represent over 100 countries across the globe. BALA is the first and oldest expatriate group dedicated to being a resource and experience sharing space for current Black American expats.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing the dynamic duo of Dr. Kisha Porcher and Dr. Shamaine Bertrand, who are the hosts of the award-winning "Black Gaze" podcast! In our conversation, they opened up about her early childhood, the birth of the Black Gaze podcast, navigating the academic space as Black women, the importance of centering Blackness in teacher education spaces, and so much more! To learn more about their work, you can subscribe to the Black Gaze podcast on YouTube and follow them on Instagram (@blackgazepodcast). 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 A 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 1:01-3:24 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:25-6:15 - Introducing Dr. Kisha Porcher ("Dr. P") & Dr. Shamaine Bertrand ("Dr. B") 6:16-11:44 - Who are your OGs in education? 11:45-19:58 - Dr. P & Dr. B's K-12 Schooling Journeys 19:59-20:58 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 20:59-26:08 - How Dr. P & Dr. B met; Beginning of academia journeys 26:09-32:10 - How academia journeys have shifted their perspectives as educators 32:11-39:51 - Academia Politics & Public Scholarship 39:52-40:29 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 40:30-45:52 - Birth & Evolution of the Black Gaze Podcast 45:53-59:00 - Unpacking the Politics of Academic Research 59:01-1:01:31 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:01:32-1:03:38 - How to connect with Dr. P & Dr. B 1:03:39-1:04:19 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Kisha Porcher is an associate professor of English at the University of Delaware. She is the co-creator/co-host of the Black Gaze Podcast. Her research focuses on three interrelated topics: centering Blackness in English education; best practices for being, learning and teaching focused equity and social justice; and community-engaged teacher education. Dr. Shamaine Bertrand is an associate professor of elementary education at The College of New Jersey. She is the co-creator/co-host of the Black Gaze Podcast. Dr. Bertrand’s research focuses in three primary areas: Preparing preservice to effectively teach and support Black students; Building school-university partnerships that center equity and antiracism; and Centering Blackness in Elementary Education.