Rebuilding Through Reflection: A Conversation on Art, Education, and Authenticity

Dr. Eugene Lee Johnson returns with a soul-stirring conversation alongside musician and educator Lord Dexter Jackson, kicking off a new season dedicated to rebuilding what breaks apart in our lives.
The discussion opens with a question that stops you in your tracks: "Who are you without your trauma?" Lord Dexter's candid response reveals the confident, optimistic person beneath layers of life experience. This sets the stage for an exploration of how Black Americans navigate both personal and collective trauma while striving to live authentically in a world that often demands their resilience without offering respite.
As two political science minds, Dr. LJ and Lord Dexter examine the current political landscape through a distinctly Black perspective. Rather than despair, they advocate focusing on cultural contributions and grassroots coalition-building—finding power in creativity and community when larger systems fail us.
Lord Dexter's journey as an educator reveals the delicate balance between professional boundaries and genuine care. Teaching eighth-graders in a small Louisiana town, he's transformed his classroom from just 6% meeting standards to an astonishing 94% on track for success. His approach offers wisdom for anyone in mentorship roles: "My job is to teach you, to make sure that when I have you for these 75 minutes, you leave here with knowledge."
Music emerges as both metaphor and medium for authentic expression throughout their conversation. From founding the Yellow Door Sessions for overlooked Black artists to crafting seven-minute songs in an era of two-minute streaming hits, Lord Dexter champions artistic integrity over commercial appeal. His critique of contemporary music culture cuts deep: "We need to get back to a point where artists care more about the creation of art than being heard and being seen."
The most powerful moment comes when Lord Dexter reflects on professional setbacks that threatened his sense of worth. His path from nonprofit executive to classroom teacher reveals how rebuilding often requires both self-reflection and self-compassion: "Everything doesn't fall apart because you made a mistake. Everything isn't your fault."
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