Choice Words by Freedom to Choose Schools

What happens when a 5th grader’s love of learning is stifled—and her parents say enough? Meet Haley Taylor Schlitz, who left traditional school, graduated high school at 13, earned her law degree by 19, and now practices law—all after being denied access to gifted programs because of systemic bias.In this episode, host Jay Artis-Wright talks with Haley about:Why her family chose homeschooling after racial barriers in public schoolHow she accelerated her education and stayed socially groundedThe book she co-authored with her mom: The Homeschool AlternativeAdvice for parents of gifted Black and Brown kids being overlookedThis conversation is a must-hear for every family asking: Is there a better way?📚 Brought to you by Freedom to Choose Schools, this episode uplifts student-centered school choice, self-determination, and the power of customized learning.

What does it mean to lead with clarity, care, and courage while raising sons, stewarding land, and unschooling Black children in a world that often misunderstands all three?In this powerful kickoff to Season 2, host Jay Artis-Wright sits down with Dr. Tracey Samone Dumas Clark—educator, consultant, and proud unschooling mom to explore what it looks like to unlearn harmful systems, reconnect with self and nature, and reimagine education for liberation.From martial arts to micro schools, motherhood to movement-building, Dr. Tracey Samone breaks down how she lives in both practice and philosophy, building a life rooted in Black joy, stewardship, and radical self-determination.🎧 Tap in for:What it really means to be an “unschooler”Why our children need more than standard schoolsHow Dr. Tracey Samone’s dissertation reframes parent power in education

In this powerful episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artist Wright sits down with Nicole Stewart, founder of the National Association of Black Micro School Leaders (NABML). Together, they pull back the curtain on the "National Crisis" facing Black education and discuss why thousands of families are divesting from traditional systems in favor of something more personal, cultural, and safe. If you are an educator feeling restricted by rigid curriculums or a parent looking for a "one size fits one" education for your child, this conversation is your roadmap to change.

This week, we sit down with Dr. Patricia Brantley, CEO of Friendship Public Charter Schools in D.C., to discuss what it truly means to lead with freedom and power. Dr. Brantley, who learned the definition of purpose-driven work from civil rights legend Dr. Dorothy Height, shares how she built a Black-led charter network that's redefining excellence for 5,000 scholars.In this episode, you will hear:Her powerful answer to critics who call a school of all Black students "segregation": "The model of excellence does not have a color." The political and financial battles charter leaders face, and her sharp challenge to parents: "Vote at the ballot boxes for your child's education." How Friendship PCS achieves "multigenerational scale" by having its own graduates return to teach.Her final word to educators: "You have to lead with heart and spine." Tune in for an inspiring conversation on putting children first, challenging adult mindsets, and building schools as justice.

Lakisha Young of The Oakland REACH joins Jay Artis-Wright to discuss the evolution of The Oakland REACH. Lakisha shares her journey of moving an organization from simply demanding quality education to actively building it. Together, they explore how The Oakland REACH pivoted during the pandemic to create the "Liberator Model," proving that when parents are upskilled as paid tutors and The Reach Parent District. A look at Lakisha’s new "out of system" solution that combines AI tutoring (Amira Learning) with Family Success Coaching to drive literacy directly in the home.

What does it mean to truly have agency in your life—especially as a parent navigating a broken school system? In this powerful episode of Choice Words, Jay Artis-Wright sits down with author, educator, and charter school founder Ian Rowe to unpack the intersection of family, freedom, and the power to choose.If you've ever felt boxed in by limited school choices or tired of being told to wait for reform, this episode speaks directly to you.

In this episode of The Choice Words Podcast, Jay Artis-Wright sits down with Dr. Myiesha Taylor, an emergency medicine physician, mom, activist, and co-author of The Homeschool Alternative, to explore why more Black families are turning to homeschooling or embracing a “homeschool mindset.”Grounded in fresh polling from Freedom to Choose Schools, we unpack what’s driving this movement: 75% of Black and Latino parents say U.S. public schools are failing or going backwards. With culture wars erasing Black history and underfunded classrooms dimming student potential, families are demanding better.

What do you do when the school system isn’t built to serve the kids you care about most? For some educators, the answer is: build something better.In this episode of Choice Words, Jay Artis Wright sits down with educator and leader Dominique Lee to explore what it really takes to support students, especially in communities too often underserved and overlooked. They talk honestly about broken systems, the weight teachers carry, and the difference between showing up in a classroom and showing up for a whole child and family.This isn’t just a conversation about teaching, it’s a conversation about transformation.

In this episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artist-Wright sits down with Crystal Felix Clark, a bold charter school leader from Atlanta, Georgia, who has built a school community that centers immigrant, refugee, and Latino families.Crystal shares how her school, PATH Academy, serves a vibrant and diverse population of students and why culturally responsive education, family engagement, and food as community-building are core to their success. She talks candidly about the school’s unique model, including teacher autonomy in curriculum development, and the overwhelming demand that’s led to a waitlist even larger than the school itself.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with educator, author, entrepreneur, and microschool founder Isis Spann to unpack what true freedom can look like when communities take education into their own hands.Isis shares her journey from public school teacher to small school founder, and how her experience—as a mother, an advocate, and a woman deeply rooted in her community—shapes her approach to reimagining education for Black and Brown families.We talk about the barriers families face in accessing school choice, the liberating potential of small schools, and why community is key to breaking through systems that don’t serve our kids. Isis also opens up about parenting a child with special needs, and why inclusive, flexible, and affirming education options are not just necessary—they’re non-negotiable.

In this compelling conversation, we sit down with a powerhouse leader and founder of RISE Indy, Jasmin Shaheed-Young, to explore the intersections of motherhood, equity, and bold education reform. We unpack what real school choice means for families of color, why “excellence” shouldn’t be exclusive, and how women of color are uniquely positioned to build student-centered coalitions that disrupt the status quo. You’ll also hear how RISE Indy is pushing the boundaries to center students, build scalable solutions, and reframe equity as foundational—not optional—in the design of public education systems.

In this episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artist Wright talks with Janie Segui Rodriguez of Stop the Wait RI and Subira Gordon of the Nashville Charter Collaborative about the power of parent-led and school-led movements in shaping school choice and education. From mobilizing 400 parents during a Rhode Island charter moratorium to uniting school leaders in Nashville, they share bold strategies for building trust, remaining hopeful, breaking down misconceptions, and putting collaboration over competition to expand quality school options for Black and Brown communities.

Education is political—and the stakes have never been higher for Black and Latino communities. In this episode of Choice Words, host J. Artists Wright, CEO of Freedom to Choose Schools (formerly FCCS), is joined by Alisha Thomas Searcy, former Georgia State Representative and founder of the Center for Strong Public Schools, and Dr. Atasha James, co-founder of Legends Charter School in Maryland.Together, they unpack how school choice debates play out in real life—where party politics, interest groups, and self-preservation often clash with the urgent needs of students and families. From the impact of “the big, beautiful bill” to the hidden political costs for leaders who advocate for educational equity, this conversation goes beyond policy into power, accountability, and the courage it takes to disrupt the status quo.

In this episode of Choice Words, we trace the powerful civil rights legacy behind the school choice movement. From landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education to the present-day fight for equitable education access, we’re asking how school choice became a modern civil rights issue.Whether you're a parent, policymaker, or advocate, this conversation challenges assumptions and uplifts the voices too often left out of the education debate.

What happens when the school system fails your child—and there’s no clear roadmap for what’s next? In this powerful premiere episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artis Wright sits down with two dynamic disruptors in education: Coy Morrison, founder of the Lab School of Memphis, and Jae Carter, creator of Homeschool Yo Kids.Together, they unpack the reasons they walked away from traditional schooling, the quiet revolution of Black parents taking back control of their children’s educations, and how school choice is both deeply personal and political.

In this powerful episode of Choice Words, Jay sits down with Tee Wilson, founder and CEO of B.E. Academy for Girls in Nashville, Tennessee, a culturally responsive, STEAM-based school created to ensure girls are not just surviving school, but thriving in it.What began as a deeply personal experience with discrimination became a bold vision: a school where identity isn’t managed or minimized, it’s honored.Together, they unpack:What “culturally affirming education” really meansWhy confidence and academic rigor go hand-in-handHow identity-centered learning fuels risk-taking and resilienceWhy school choice matters for families seeking environments where their children can be fully seenAnd how one founder turned generational pain into generational purposeWith enrollment tripling in its first year and a growing waiting list, B.E. Academy for Girls is proof that families are hungry for options that reflect their values, culture, and aspirations.Because it was never just about hair.It was always about dignity, belonging, and the freedom to choose a school that loves your child back.

What does a quorum break in Texas have to do with your child’s school? Host Jay Artis-Wright is joined by Texas State Board of Education member Staci Childs and Paula White of JerseyCAN to unpack how redistricting, state politics, and legislative gridlock impact school choice and access—especially in Black and Latino communities.