Proving Grounds

On Proving Grounds, host Kristina Francis talks with Waymond Jackson, President of EdFarm, and Kai Frazier, Founder & CEO of Kai XR, in this very first episode, about how Birmingham’s learning ecosystem helps edtech tools move from prototype to real classroom impact. They unpack how EdFarm’s innovation challenges and teacher fellow network created a true proving ground for Kai XR — testing immersive career exploration, AI literacy, and multisensory learning with real teachers and students.From reshaping VR lessons to fit 15–20 minute class periods, to building teacher confidence, to discovering unexpected gains for students with IEPs, this episode reveals what it actually takes to make edtech work across classrooms, communities, and workforce pipelines.Key Moments02:00 Birmingham’s uniquely connected learning ecosystem03:56 How EdFarm became a community-driven engine for digital skills05:24 Kai’s journey from teacher to tech founder07:03 The Future of Learning Summit and spark for a proving ground12:36 Building Kai XR as a device-agnostic VR/metaverse platform14:37 What the Birmingham pilot taught about timing and lesson length16:16 Why teacher mindset and confidence matter as much as technology21:34 Lessons from the “learn and pivot” culture with school leaders23:22 How Kai XR evolved from a tool to a full career + AI literacy solution24:37 Surprising impact on students with IEPs in a multi-sensory environment30:07 What leaders should consider in a post-AI world33:22 Pricing, procurement, and creative paths beyond traditional school salesWhy You’ll Love This EpisodeA concise, practical look at how real classrooms shape edtech — and what it takes to design solutions, pilots, and ecosystems that actually improve learning and economic mobility.Connect with Waymond Jackson | President, EdFarmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-waymond-jackson-jr-a038a587/Website: https://www.edfarm.org/ Connect with Kai Frazier | Founder & CEO, Kai XRLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaifrazier/Website: https://www.kaixr.com/ Follow UsProving Grounds by Kin & Commons Strategy GroupHost: Kristina FrancisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaharrisonfrancis/Kin & Commons Strategy Group Website: https://www.kinandcommons.com/Kin & Commons Strategy Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinandcommons/About Proving Grounds by Kin & Commons Strategy GroupProving Grounds is the podcast where prototypes meet policy.Produced by Kin & Commons Strategy Group, each episode spotlights innovators, educators, and system leaders working together to build evidence-driven, equitable solutions that expand opportunity for students and communities.

What happens when a city with deep inequities dares to reimagine its future?In this season of Proving Grounds, host Kristina Francis takes listeners to Birmingham, Alabama, a city shaped by history, defined by tension, and fueled by bold experimentation. From education and workforce innovation to housing, entrepreneurship, and employee ownership, Birmingham is testing new ideas that could redefine economic opportunity for working families.Through data, lived experience, and conversations with local leaders, this season explores how the Magic City is transforming work, wealth, and community, and why what happens in Birmingham may signal what’s next for cities across America.If the 20th century was built on steel, the 21st century is being built on innovation, ownership, and possibility.This is Proving Grounds.