#15 Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

"The way you unlearn is by first acknowledging the privileges you have." - Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

Kwame is applying his dual-major Bachelor of Arts and Mathematics and Master of Education degrees from Temple University to the high calling of equipping educators with the tools to create culturally affirming classrooms where every student's identity is acknowledged and celebrated. His third book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, will be released on November 15th, 2024.

Kwame taught middle school math in Philadelphia and Boston before moving to Sierra Leone, where he currently serves as a global education consultant through his firm, Identity Talk Consulting, LLC. Over the last several years, he has also hosted the podcast Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE.

Kwame explores the concept of identity, including personal and social identities, and how these can affect one's experience in the world. The conversation delves into the challenges of addressing identity in educational settings and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Kwame shares his experiences and insights on the power of questions in navigating contract negotiations, understanding student backgrounds, and self-growth. The dialogue also touches on unlearning ingrained biases and recognizing privileges. The discussion concludes by reflecting on the role of questions in fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

Episode Notes:

[00:50] Meet Kwame Sarfo Mensah

[03:07] Understanding Identity

[08:24] The Power of Questions in Negotiations

[12:56] Navigating DEIA in Education

[24:09] Questions an Educator Asks to Know Their Classroom

[33:46] Unlearning and Self-Work

[37:43] Navigating Accessibility Challenges

[38:37] The Process of Unlearning Privilege

[40:21] Questions for Equity in Education

[42:33] The Role of Allyship and Humility

[46:08] Understanding Positionality and Power

[47:50] The Journey of Self-Knowledge

[50:30] Hope Amidst Social Challenges

[56:13] The Importance of Asking Questions

[01:02:20] International Perspectives on Identity

[01:08:28] Reflecting on Personal and Professional Impact

[01:11:09] Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources Mentioned

The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire

Nice Racism by Robin DiAngelo

Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw

identitytalk4educators.com

Kwame Sarfo-Mensah on LinkedIn

Kwam_the_identity_shaper on Instagram

identityshaper on X

Beauty Pill

Producer Ben Ford

Questions Asked

What is your working definition of identity?

Why not keep this basic standard, teach it, and then recognize that variations from that perceived standard exist?

When did you first understand the power of questions?

What's your budget for professional development services at your school?

What were some of the amounts that were given?

Will the school receive any grants in the coming months or even years?

Is it predominantly through trial and error that you got that experience?

Are there any other questions that you found helpful as you've done negotiations?

Does your school have a mission statement around diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Is there any living document or statement that supports this work?

What are some things that you've already done to initiate this line of work?

What do you say to clarify what D.E.I. is and is not?

Wouldn't it make sense to at least recognize them or do some school-wide activity where we provide information or give them a chance to express how much their traditions and faiths mean to them?

Why can't we give that same energy to folks who may not celebrate Christmas?

How can this be better as a result of you being here?

What kind of questions can educators use to understand the various identities within their classroom?

What does that process look like for understanding a classroom?

What traditions or customs do you practice in your famil...