Pay It Forward: An Interview with Charmaine Mercer

“I see this as one big journey; perhaps because it’s my life.” - Charmaine MercerEpisode Summary: Education policy professional Charmaine Mercer shares her professional journey and emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for helping others while working toward the greater good.Episode sponsored by: PJS Consultants (Become a sponsor: http://www.blackfemaleproject.org/donate)GUESTCharmaine Mercer is a Program Officer in Education at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, focused on advancing educational experiences and outcomes, especially for those furthest from opportunity. Charmaine was previously a director and senior researcher for the Learning Policy Institute; has served as vice president for standards, assessment, and deeper learning at the Alliance for Excellent Education; and has held various positions on Capitol Hill, including senior staffer for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; senior staffer for the Education and Labor Committee; and researcher for the Congressional Research Service.She holds a Ph.D. in politics and education policy and master’s degree in political science from Claremont Graduate University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from San Diego State University. Charmaine is a native Californian, home after being on the East coast since 2002, and the shamelessly proud mom of adorable twin boys.HOSTDana E. Fitchett, BlackFemaleProject inaugural collection editor, is a justice-focused multi- and inter-disciplinary artist (dancer/choreographer/dance teacher, visual artist, writer); content and copy editor/proofreader; writer; and not-for-profit professional. Dana is a mixed-race Black woman who uses her relationship to music, visual art, and movement as a sandbox for exploration of identity and issues of justice, and for seeking healing from racism and capitalism through the reimagination of possibilities.Follow: @def_artinmotionRESOURCESWilliam and Flora Hewlett FoundationThe William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. https://www.hewlett.org/Q&A With Charmaine Mercer: Pursuing Equity in Deeper LearningCharmaine shares her thoughts on making strong learning outcomes accessible to every child in public education. https://www.hewlett.org/qa-charmaine-mercer-pursuing-equity-deeper-learning/Roblox is a user-generated online gaming platform for creating adventures, playing games, and learning in a family-friendly, immersive, 3D environment.https://www.roblox.com/ Join Us:https://blackfemaleproject.org/subscribeFollow Us:Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackfemaleprojectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackfemaleprojectLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackfemaleproject/