Next Man Up: An MCEL Podcast
by Men of Color in Educational Leadership
Next Man Up amplifies the voices and experiences of men of color in educational leadership. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, the podcast explores the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shape leaders breaking barriers and driving systemic change in education. Through candid conversations and expert insights, Next Man Up inspires listeners to embrace their unique power, build community, and foster mentorship. Whether you’re a current leader, aspiring changemaker, or ally, this podcast will empower you to step up and make an impact. The next man up could be you!
Episodes
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Built To Lead
About This Episode In this episode of Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast, host Kareem Thomas welcomes back Harrison Peters, CEO and Co-Founder of Men of Color in Educational Leadership (MCEL), for a powerful conversation about the human side of leadership. Drawing from his new book, The Will to Lead,...
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Year One: What Every New Principal Needs To Know
About This Episode In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with experienced school leaders Dr. Presley Charles and Ryan Stokeling to discuss the realities of navigating a school principal's first year. They share practical insights on building strong teams, managing staff and...
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Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 2
About this Episode In Part 2 of this conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas continues his discussion with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara on the question, Who Has the Principal's Back? Together, they explore what meaningful support for school leaders really looks…
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Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 1
About this Episode In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara to explore a question at the heart of educational leadership: Who Has the Principal's Back? Together, they examine what it means to…
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The AP Life: What they don’t tell you, Pt. 2
About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up and The MCEL Podcast, sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real lives of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and the creation of safe, community-centered schools, while also...
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Women Making Moves: Leadership, Resilience, and Impact
About this Episode In this Women’s History Month special episode of Next Man Up, Kareem Thomas is joined by Dr. Nadia Bennett and Natalie St. Louis for a powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and leadership. From overcoming barriers to uplifting leaders of color, they share real...
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The AP Life: What they don’t tell you, Pt. 1
About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up, The MCEL Podcast, sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real life of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and creating safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding…
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Developing The Next Leader
About this Episode In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas speaks with guests Ray Pace and Dr. Wardell Hunter about the critical importance of leadership development programs for aspiring school leaders. They explore the frameworks for effective leadership training, the significance of...
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Building Bridges: The Role of the Care Team
About this Episode In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas discusses the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in education with guests Errin Smith, Dr. Arman Lakes, and Dr. Chuck Curtis. They focus on SEL’s impact on young men of color, emphasizing how emotional well-being...
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Navigating Leadership Transitions
Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with Dr. Aaron Dukes and Mr. Brandon Johnson, two leaders who transitioned from school principal roles to central office positions. They discuss their personal journeys, the challenges of recognizing when to move on, the…
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Courage, Identity, & Inclusion in Leadership
Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with Mario Jovan and Vincent Rawlings for a powerful and deeply reflective conversation about what it means to support LGBTQ+ students as male leaders of color. Together, they explore the intersections of identity, leadership,...
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Leading Beyond the Space
Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with Dr. Jacob Waites and Joseph Speight to discuss the significance of affinity spaces in education, particularly for educators who are men of color. They explore the definition of affinity spaces, their importance in fostering...
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Transform Without Burnout
Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with educational leaders Justin Sinclair and Dr. Harold McCray to discuss the challenges and strategies of school transformation, the importance of self-care for leaders, and the need for culturally responsive education. They…
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Cultivating Excellence in Leadership: The MCEL Pathway
Summary: In the season two premiere of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas welcomes Harrison Peters, co-founder and CEO of MCEL, to discuss the current state of the organization and its initiatives. They delve into the National Leadership Institute, its core principles, and the importance of…
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Navigating the Challenges in Education
Episode Summary In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas speaks with Dr. Paul Cruz, a seasoned educator and former superintendent, about his journey in education, the challenges men of color face, and career advancement strategies. Dr. Cruz emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the...
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Leadership Impact in Philadelphia Schools
Summary: In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas engages with three Philadelphia educators—Will Lawrence, Will Brown, and Vance McNear—to discuss their journeys in educational leadership, the challenges they face as men of color, and the importance of branding schools to attract...
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Leadership Beyond the Title
In this dynamic episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with two influential superintendents, Dr. Donald Fennoy and Dr. Howard Hepburn, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about leadership, legacy, and the journey of men of color in education. Together, they share…
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Finding Brotherhood in Leadership
In this powerful episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Courtney Curtis, Dr. Javan Childs, and Gene Renoir for an honest and deeply insightful conversation about what it means to lead as Black men in education. Together, they unpack the profound role mentorship has played…
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Guided to Greatness: The Making of a Leader
Summary In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Dwayne Chism and Dr. Jayson Strickland for a powerful conversation on how mentorship and coaching have shaped their journeys as men of color in educational leadership. Together, they unpack the challenges of navigating...
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Two Unstoppable Women in Educational Leadership
Summary In this special episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with two groundbreaking superintendents, Misty Herr and Theresa Plasencia, to explore their leadership journeys in education. As women of color in top positions, they share their experiences navigating challenges,...
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From Beats to the Classroom with Ike Ramos
In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with Ike Ramos, a former educator turned EdTech leader, to discuss his dynamic journey from hip-hop artist to school principal to a driving force in educational technology. Ike shares his experiences integrating hip-hop culture into...
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Dr. Erick Pruitt’s Blueprint for Educational Excellence
In this powerful episode of Next Man Up, Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Erick Pruitt to discuss his incredible journey from serving in the Marine Corps to leading as the Superintendent of Schools in Ankeny, Iowa. Dr. Pruitt shares the lessons he’s learned navigating leadership as a Black man in...
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MCEL: How the Journey Began, Pt. 2
Summary In this continuation of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas reconnects with MCEL co-founders Harrison Peters and Steve Gering for Part 2 of their powerful discussion on mentorship and leadership for male leaders of color. Building upon the insights from the first episode, they dive deeper…
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MCEL: How the Journey Began, Pt. 1
In this inaugural episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas dives into an inspiring conversation with Harrison Peters and Steve Gehring, co-founders of the Men of Color Educational Leadership (MCEL). Together, they unpack the challenges men of color face in educational leadership, the necessity…
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About this show
Next Man Up amplifies the voices and experiences of men of color in educational leadership. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, the podcast explores the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shape leaders breaking barriers and driving systemic change in education. Through candid conversations and expert insights, Next Man Up inspires listeners to embrace their unique power, build community, and foster mentorship. Whether you’re a current leader, aspiring changemaker, or ally, this podcast will empower you to step up and make an impact. The next man up could be you!
Hosted by
Men of Color in Educational Leadership