Kwame Sarfo Mensa: Building Identity-Affirming Classrooms That Humanize Learning

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Innovating Education Podcast, Dr. Riley Williams talks with Kwame Sarfo Mensa—veteran educator, global consultant, and author of Learning to Relearn—about what it means for educators to “unlearn and relearn” in order to create more humanizing schools. The conversation examines how equity-centered, culturally affirming practice invites teachers and leaders to interrogate bias, reconsider school culture, and center identity, belonging, and trust in daily decisions.​Key takeaways:An explanation of why educators must continually “learn to relearn” and concrete strategies for interrupting bias through self-assessment, reflective practice, and intersectional empathy.​Specific approaches for culturally affirming and identity-affirming teaching, including pronunciation and use of students’ names, modeling cultural humility, and building classroom norms that validate multiple identities.​Considerations for school leaders and policymakers who seek to model inclusive leadership, strengthen student trust, and frame education as a collective, relational practice rather than a purely technical system.​Connect with Kwame Sarfo Mensa:Website: https://www.identitytalk4educators.com​Email: [email protected]: Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE