8 Black Hands

An editorial in Hip Hop DX by Omar Burgess makes a provocative point: Hip Hop is not "Black" music. Once the music of underground youth in urban ghettos, it has become a commodity for cultural tourists. The 8BH crew discuss this.

In this episode, we have a thoughtful discussion with Tennessee State Senator London Lamar on the expulsion and almost expulsion of three of her Democratic colleagues by a Republican supermajority.

he Nashville School Shooting is one of the biggest events that has happened in recent years. Our lives have been changed, and our country has been shaken. We want to do a show where we talk about the impact this event will have on all of us, and how we are going to cope with it. I want to talk about my personal experience as a parent, my children’s experience as a school aged child, and how we can go through this together.

In this episode, we discuss woke(ism), woke(ish), and how it relates to morally bankrupt folks. Like always, we never end up in the same spot, but eventually, we get to where we need to go. We also take about Abbott Elementary, and its portrayal of charter schools.

What rights do parents have when it comes down to K-12 education in the US? In this episode, we do a deep dive to uncover.

In this episode, we talk top 5's in hip-hop. Some of us were on point, some of us where... not.

In this episode, we celebrate 2-0-0. Pull up, as we talk about the wins and the losses!

In this episode, we discuss the deficit thinking this country uses when they think about Black students.

In this episode, we discuss Black faces in white spaces with esteemed Race scholar Dr. Frederick V. Engram, Jr.

In this episode we discuss our feelings towards Black History Month over time. We land in some interesting places.

In this episode we have a heated debate about the origins of standardized testing, its usefulness, and how we can use standardized testing to keep a system that is inherently racist honest.

Given the political landscape in Florida, we wanted to make an episode that highlighted how bad book bans, and the gutting of curriculum has gotten in some places.

In this episode we discuss MLK in ways that are contrary to what racialized whites celebrate about his legacy. MLK Jr was more than just his I Have A Dream Speech.

In this episode we celebrate the year's accomplishments and everyone that helped up get here to this point. 

In this episode we invite esteemed guest Harrison Peters to discuss the parallels between fatherhood and leadership.

In this episode, we discuss a myriad of education and Black culture issues from a critical lens. As we discuss these issues, we offer ways to be progressive with hopes of advancing the work. It's a New Year, and we are happy to grow with our fans!

Dr. Camika Royal joins the fellows to discuss her book, Not Paved for Us. Pick up your copy from Uncle Bobbie's Bookstore here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/not-paved-for-us-black-educators-and-public-school-reform-in-philadelphia-camika-royal/17846552?ean=9781682537350

In this episode, we unpack the Black Male Educators Conference also known as BMEC 2022. BMEC is a convening with over 1000 Black make educators brought to us by Sharif El-Mekki and his team at the Center for Black Educator Development.

In this episode, we discuss whether or not democracy won out in the 2022 mid-term elections, The Saturday Night Live Monologue, and Rif’s significant award! Enjoy.

In this episode, we discussed hip-hop from the angle of it being one of the most dangerous professions for Black men in the United States. We’ll also look at it from the angle of “dead rappers get better promotion” and why death is glorified over life.

Epic episode. One of our longest for a reason. Join us as we discuss and debate issues involving Ye, Killer Mike, and Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary, to name a few. 

In this episode, we discuss anti-Blackness in the Latino community. We used the recent LA city council fiasco as our basis for conversation. This was an amazing conversations, and w/ Omar and David as our guests, I assure you we went there. Pull up and get ya popcorn ready!

The murder rate in Philly is frightening. Our young people are dying at a rapid rate. It’s time to stop talking and start doing. In this episode, we discussed ways schools could block and cover for young people in hopes of creating safe havens to protect our youth.

This show was a cliffhanger because we did not all land in the same place on this topic.

In this episode, we discussed the importance of transparency when it comes to states releasing student data. Spoiler alert, we all did not agree, and it was glorious. Here are some articles to help build context. https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/9/23/23368912/new-york-state-test-score-delay https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/california-is-withholding-standardized-test-results-until-after-election-day https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/us/national-test-scores-math-reading-pandemic.html

In this episode, we dissect what it takes to be on a pathway for a Blue Ribbon school with our guests, newly awarded Blue ribbon principal Demetrius Ball and KC Middle School principal of the year Dr. VaShawn Smith aka Smitty.

With the mid-term elections looming, The Hands talk about political astuteness.

In this episode, we discuss the latest phenomenon "Quiet Quitting." We went a lot of places with this one. Check it out and share.

Black folks have always exhibited agency. In this episode, we discuss an added element of those who disguise themselves as "Black" casting stones on homes they've never lived in or been welcomed to. An interesting chat if we do say so ourselves. 

The word Nigga/er has so much power to it. To some, the word represents pain from our ancestry, while to others, it's become a word for affirmation, a term for endearment of sorts. Tune in to this episode as we have an intellectual discussion about the word!

With all this toxic positivity, why not be negative? This is the episode where we discuss it all. 

So, your job is high stress, and you have tons of folks that count on your success. How can you approach your mental and physical health to ensure longevity in the work? We spoke w/Dr. Phillips to discuss strategies.

In this episode, we discuss the value of independent Black schools. 

This episode is a continuation of the previous week's show where we just decide to lay into amazing things from Black culture that makes us all smile. 

In this episode, we dive into some hidden gems in our culture. We hope this episode brings you as much joy as it brought us to do it. 

In this episode, we follow our “On Code” theme and focus on community organizations. If you haven’t downloaded the “free” E-book, go to www.8bh.org and follow the prompts.

This week we chop it up with Desmond Blackburn on servant school leadership. If you haven't, go to www.8bh.org, put your e-mail address in and download our new e-book, "On Code."

In this episode, we review a section of our free e-book (available at 8BH.org) on building power in parents. Read the chapter and then come join the conversation! 

Straight from the new @8BlackHands1 e-book “On Code” we talk tonight about the role of the Black Male educator. We are also joined by @erichale1979. Check it out. Go to www.8bh.org and download today!

In this episode, we paid homage to a legend, a man that has touched many lives and been an inspiration to many. We honored Mr. Brown, who for 46 years has been the gold standard for Black teachers.

In this episode, we interrogated Black educators and their relationships with their union. If you are a POC and a member of a collective bargaining unit, this is the show for you. We had so much to unpack.

This week we analyze the work of Dr. Lisa Bass on Black Masculine Care as we talk shop with one of the dopest school leaders in the country Dr. Marco Clark.

Well, you know what they say, if you don’t have any haters then you’re probably not “popping.” In this episode, the fellas talk about their experience with haters in their work and offer some thoughtful advice for others. 

In this episode, we covered everything from the Oakland strike follow up, the tiff between the AKAs and the young girl, and we honored some of our favorite mothers in this work. Take a listen.

Join us as we continue discussing the taboo topics in education others are afraid to touch.

In this episode, we want to talk about the things that people should say but won't say in education.

In this episode we discuss what it means to be truly free, and not be beholden to education systems that do not love our kids.

In this episode, the fellas break down their thoughts on all things education related to Black folks. We also touch on topics from our audience. Come get your service.

In this episode, we look at the landmark lawsuit out of Detroit where high school students sued for a quality education.

In this episode, we discuss Teacher strikes and if they are good for kids. It'll be interesting for you to see where we all land on this very important topic.