Episode 11: The Power of Relationships

05/24/21 • 54 min

What we love so much about this episode of A Revolution in Education podcast is the apparent respectful, collegial and caring relationship evidenced in the back and forth conversation between Antonio Boyd, Executive Vice President at Future of School, and Zelda Waymer, President and Chief Executive Office at South Carolina Afterschool Alliance. These two have been working in South Carolina and beyond for years in the best interest of youth, with a specific interest in providing learning experiences that will propel youth in disadvantaged communities. In this conversation, they hit upon the importance of relationships in forging partnerships that are mutually beneficial and extend beyond the usual give and take. Antonio also tells of his many years galvanizing efforts to extend youth’s opportunity. And Zelda shares her years of work galvanizing political support of her efforts, as well as a once fleeting interest in starting a trucking business. In the end, they give Chris “finger snaps” for his proclamation that this effort to transform our systems to better support and create opportunity for all youth is a civil rights movement. Let’s GO! Finger snaps all around for those doing the important work for all youth, like Antonio and Zelda in South Carolina.
About The Revolutionaries
Antonio Boyd
Zelda Waymer

Previous Episode

Episode 10: Career-focused Opportunity

Mike Realon is the Career and Community Development Coordinator at Olympic High School in Charlotte, NC and helped lead the transformation of the school resulting in the school becoming ranked in the top 1% nationally for its “Career AND College Readiness” prowess based on career-focused project-based and experiential learning. Clifton Vann is CEO of Hyde Park Partners (HPP), the holding company for Livingston & Haven, MRO Stop, and AEG International (AEG), all leaders in technology, advanced manufacturing, design, and engineering. With Charlotte being ranked 50th of the top 50 largest cities in the United States for economic mobility, meaning the greater majority of youth growing up in poverty will fail to make a living wage, Olympic High School uses its career academies and over 700 industry partnerships – such as with Hyde Park Partners – to change that reality for most, through internships and career-focused learning. Students are graduating from Olympic with a leg up on both gainful employment and education, in many cases becoming the breadwinners for their families given the skills, real-world work opportunities, and competencies they gain through their program. Hear from Mike and Clifton as they each share the importance of this work not only for the individual lives of the youth they work with but for the well-being of their communities as well.
About The Revolutionaries
Clifton Vann
Mike Realon

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Episode 12: Inspiring a Brighter Future

It's amazing how individuals from around the world come together around the same desire and purpose – to impact education for youth and the teachers in our systems. Hear how and why Vanessa Wilkins from Oregon with a background in leading efforts with Nike and Harvard, James Harris from his schooling in Oakland and subsequent President of the Oakland School Board, and Sanjili Gilway, by way of Toronto and now in the US supporting youth engage in projects that impact their community and the lives of others talk about their efforts. A special episode hearing from those coming from very different histories but sharing the pursuit of making a difference for others in education.
About The Revolutionaries
Vanessa Wilkins
James Harris
Sanjili Gidwaney
Vinay Gidwaney