PODCAST · education
Freedom Friday
by Sharif El-Mekki, Ed Post, Chris Stewart
Brightbeam CEO, Chris "Citizen" Stewart and Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development bring you an hour closer to freedom every week as we fight to better educate our children.
Episodes
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Teaching Is a Revolutionary Act
Comrade Chris and Ismael Jimenez discuss the evolving role of teachers as activists in the face of increasing educational regulations. They explore the importance of networking among educators, the need for accessible resources in social studies, and the intersection of civics and current events…
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The Reality of Fighting for Black Children
Chris, Sharif and Ish cover the implications of recent lawsuits that threaten educational initiatives and funding for Black individuals, emphasizing the need for collective action and strategic planning to combat these challenges. The episode covers the historical context of Black resistance and...
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Thinking Critically About Public School Success
Chris Stewart and Sharif El-Mekki discuss implore us to think critically about public schools in the United States. They share insights from their visits to Montessori schools, highlighting the benefits of student-centered learning environments. They discuss the impact of charter schools on…
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Diddy's Freak-offs, Eric Adams, Marcellus Williams, and Black Leadership
Chris, Ish, and Sharif discuss the case of hip hop mogul P. Diddy, exploring the implications for the music industry and its impact on youth culture. They delve into the darker aspects of the industry, discussing corruption and exploitation. The conversation also covers the indictment of Mayor…
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We Need to Talk About School Shootings
Chris, Ish, and Sharif discuss the issue of school shootings in the United States. They explore the cultural and societal factors that contribute to these incidents, including gun culture, access to firearms, mental health, and the devaluing of life. They also examine the role of law enforcement...
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The Truth About Social Media Activism and Education (Ft. Conscious Lee)
Conscious Lee, an educator and social media influencer, discusses his journey in education and the power of using social media platforms to educate a wider audience. He shares how his love for education began in the classroom, and highlights his experience as a debater, where he broke history as...
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Black Folks Can’t Rely on These Schools To Do Right (Ft. Dr. Charles Cole, III)
Dr. Charles Cole III tells us about his insightful report, 'Oakland 2023 24: Proficiency Over Pageantry.' They address the significant disconnect between grades and actual proficiency levels among students, with a particular focus on the Black community's struggle to access quality education. Dr....
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What Makes a Good School?
Let's explore the essential elements of a great school and why everything from safety and cultural inclusivity, to overall educational design are so important, Chris and Sharif delve into the impact of school policies on childhood, the role of educators in shaping a positive learning environment,...
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The Truth About Curriculum in Our Schools
Brightbeam CEO, Chris "Citizen" Stewart and Ismael Jimenez, Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia, explore the importance of high-quality curriculum in education. The conversation covers the issue of teachers sourcing curriculum from unreliable websites and...
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What You Need To Know about Malcolm X
Malcolm X was born 99 years ago last weekend. In this powerful conversation, Ish, Sharif, and Chris delve into his multi-faceted legacy, debunking myths, and exploring his enduring influence on black thought, activism, and the quest for racial justice. From his early years and evolving views to…
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The Truth About the Teaching Profession
Chris, Ismael, and Sharif are here to talk all things teachers and teaching. The guys debunk myths and discuss the challenges and realities of the profession. This episode highlights the lack of preparation provided by teacher preparation programs and the need for better training. The…
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The Conversation We Need To Have About Education
The culture wars in education continue to rage, but Chris and Sharif are here to break down what we should actually be focusing on when it comes to setting up the next generation for academic success. In this episode of Freedom Friday, they discuss the importance of strong, well-prepared teachers...
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What They Don’t Want You To Know About Public Education
Chris, Sharif, and Ismael explore the historical roots and evolution of public education in the United States. They discuss the origins of public education, racist foundations of educational psychology and the impact of white supremacist ideologies on the development of education in the United...
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The Truth About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is currently under attack. Chris, Sharif, and Ismael break down DEI, its origins in corporate culture, and why those on the right are so focused on attacking it. The guys examine the limitations and challenges of DEI, as well as the role of equity in...
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The Secret Program the Government Doesn’t Want You To Know About
Takeaways COINTELPRO was a covert and often illegal program initiated by the FBI in 1956 and officially ended in 1971. It targeted civil rights organizations, Black Power movements, communist and socialist organizations, feminist groups, and more. The tactics used by COINTELPRO included...
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We Need To Talk About AI in Education
Chris, Sharif, and Ismael discuss the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, especially in the context of black education. They highlight the need for proper training and development for educators and the importance of critical thinking in using AI effectively. The crew…
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Black History Month Ends and Black Future Year Begins
The conversation discusses an indictment of America and the role of education in understanding the true history of the country. It emphasizes the need to hold people accountable and focus on political power. The conversation also highlights the power of unions in organizing and creating change.…
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Afrofuturism: Cultural Grounding, Black Arts, and Technology (Ft. Stokley)
Stokley Williams, best known simply as "Stokley" is a Grammy-nominated, billboard chart-topping artist who keeps his tie to the culture strong, embracing the spirit of "Sankofa" or looking back to the past as we move to the future. Stokley joins Chris and Sharif to discuss the importance of...
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What They Don’t Want You to Know About U.S. Presidents
Summary What is the significance of the American presidency to the Black community? What about to our society as a whole? Let's explore the delusion of revering presidents and the need for truth-telling in education. As "President's Day" approaches, this Freedom Friday conversation highlights the...
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Radically Reimagining a Black Future
It's time to reimagine what a powerful Black future will look like. Chris and Ismael delve into the importance of Afro-futurism as well as the role of Afro-pessimism in understanding our current situation. The conversation also examines the dilemma faced by Black individuals in choosing between...
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Do We Really Need Black History Month?
In this special Black History Month episode of Freedom Friday, Chris, Sharif and Ismael discuss the need for a deeper understanding of Black history, and a focus on a Black future. They explore the commercialization and superficiality of Black History Month, as well as the repetitive nature of…
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The Power and Limitations of Political Engagement
The conversation explores the power and limitations of politics in education. It delves into personal experiences with politics and the disillusionment many feel towards both major political parties. The idea of not voting and the potential impact of disengagement is discussed. The conversation...
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Thinking Critically about Colonialism, Imperialism, and Oppression.
This episode of Freedom Friday explores the concept of human geography and its relevance in understanding modern day conflicts and relations. The discussion highlights the role of colonialism, imperialism, and racism in shaping geopolitical dynamics. It also emphasizes the need for critical...
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What They Don’t Want You To Know About MLK Jr.
In the first Freedom Friday podcast of 2024, Chris, Sharif and Ismael explore the importance of recognizing and addressing the actual structural changes in society advocated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The hosts discuss the illusion of change and the need to focus on the underlying structures...
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Teaching the History of Slave Rebellions
Too often we are told that slavery consisted of docile humans and their oppressive masters. But, the true history that we should be teaching our kids is a story of unceasing rebellion. On the most recent episode of Freedom Friday, returning guest and Director of Social Studies Curriculum at...
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Black Voters and Third Party Politics
Reflecting on Black American's Political Strategy In this episode of Freedom Friday, hosts Chris Stewart, Sharif El-Mekki, and Ismael Jimenez discuss whether Black folks should reevaluate their political strategy in relation to the Democratic Party, and possibly consider third party candidates....
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Are Teachers Equipped to Teach Our Kids to Read?
We know the importance of reading and the impact literacy has on a child's life trajectory, so what do we do about the fact that a majority of states are using weak teacher reading licensing tests? Equipping Teachers to Empower Literate Students According to a study by the National Council on...
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Teaching About Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and the Middle East.
An Educator's Guide to the Middle East Conflict, Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism In this episode of Freedom Friday, Chris, Sharif and Ismael have an enlightening discussion about the current events in the Middle East and the importance of teaching students about the historical context - as well as...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Brightbeam CEO, Chris "Citizen" Stewart and Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development bring you an hour closer to freedom every week as we fight to better educate our children.
HOSTED BY
Sharif El-Mekki, Ed Post, Chris Stewart
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Freedom Friday have?
Freedom Friday currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Freedom Friday about?
Brightbeam CEO, Chris "Citizen" Stewart and Sharif El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development bring you an hour closer to freedom every week as we fight to better educate our children.
How often does Freedom Friday release new episodes?
Freedom Friday has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Freedom Friday?
You can listen to Freedom Friday on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Freedom Friday?
Freedom Friday is created and hosted by Sharif El-Mekki, Ed Post, Chris Stewart.
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