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Welcome to The Equity Hour, a Dragonfly Rising podcast where we delve into powerful conversations on social justice, equity, education, and personal growth. Join your host, Dr. Tami Dean—an experienced leader, coach, speaker and facilitator with over 25 years of expertise—as she offers practical tips, resources, and actionable strategies to help you integrate equity into learning and working environments. Whether it’s a solo episode filled with insights or an engaging discussion with passionate educators, thought leaders, and change-makers, each episode is designed to inspire and empower you to create more inclusive and equitablespaces. Tune in each week to explore the challenges and successes of fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in schools and beyond.
43 Episodes
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Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah—founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of Learning to Relearn—to unpack what it really takes to create identity-affirming, culturally responsive classrooms. They explore how “compliance culture” undermines agency, the history behind school policies (from uniforms to hair), and practical ways educators can “clean the lenses,” confront bias, and center joy, belonging, and critical thinking...
Send us a text What if “joy in schools” isn’t possible without belonging? Dr. Tami Dean and Dr. Max Weinberg unpack how humane, trauma-informed practice—and real partnership with families, paraprofessionals, and communities—creates conditions where every student is seen, safe, and able to learn. What You’ll Learn Why belonging is the prerequisite for joy—not the other way around.How testing culture and scripted curricula erode critical thinking and equity.Practical ways to center in loco pare...
Send us a text Author and PhD student Shannon Quist joins Dr. Tami to unpack the false binary of adoption vs. abortion—and the equity issues hiding in plain sight. We trace the Baby Scoop era, Roe v. Wade, evangelical politics, and present-day practices like safe haven boxes and sealed birth certificates. Shannon shares her adoptee journey, the identity costs of transracial adoption, and why open records and community care matter. If you’ve wondered who profits, who’s protected, and who’s era...
Send us a text In this energizing conversation, Dr. Tami sits down with Laneshia—math coach, curriculum designer, and host of Make Math Happen—to unpack what equitable math instruction actually looks like day-to-day. From combating deficit narratives to designing joyful, rigorous lessons, they explore why Tier 1 planning is urgent, how instructional coaches serve as “knowledgeable others,” and practical ways teachers can build classroom belonging, agency, and discourse. You’ll hear actionable...
Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami sits down with Jenn Tardy, founder of Jenn Tardy Consulting and author of The Equity Edge, to unpack the realities of bias in hiring and what leaders can do to build truly inclusive workplaces. With two decades of experience in recruitment and DEI, Jenn brings a clear, actionable perspective on why representation matters, how subtle and underexplored biases derail talent pipelines, and what organizations can do to move fro...
Send us a text In this powerful and timely episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami welcomes powerhouse educators Drs. Bre & Kia to discuss what it really means to create safe, affirming schools for trans and gender-creative youth. With honesty, warmth, and lived wisdom, the trio digs into the story behind Bre and Kia’s new book, T*is for Thriving, which offers educators frameworks, tools, and community for equity work that doesn’t stop at intention—it builds real infrastructure. From n...
Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean welcomes Dr. Courtney Teague—leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of CLT and Associates—for a dynamic conversation on transforming organizational culture through equity, inclusion, and shared humanity. With over 17 years of experience across corporate, education, and government sectors, Dr. Courtney unpacks what it really means to build inclusive systems where people don’t just survive—they thrive. From uncovering...
Send us a text In this powerful highlight episode, Dr. Tami revisits standout moments from six transformative conversations on The Equity Hour. These voices challenge, inspire, and ground us in what it means to lead with equity, courage, and clarity. 🔊 Featured Voices: Megan Fuciarelli on evolving from cultural missteps to culturally responsive teachingKatie O’Malley on humility, white guilt, and career choices shaped by justiceLaTerrian "LT" Officer-McIntosh on self-advocacy, storytelling, a...
Send us a text This week on The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with filmmaker, educator, and community builder LeTerrian Officer-McIntosh (LT) for a conversation that spans Hollywood film sets, youth empowerment, and educational justice. LT, whose film credits include Black Panther and Spider-Man: Homecoming, shares her incredible journey from navigating inequitable school systems as a student to becoming the founder of Outlast Arts & Education, a nonprofit bringing media literacy a...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean is joined by Dr. Shelly Jones Holt, founder and CEO of Leadership Legacy, for a courageous conversation that reframes what equity means in education, leadership, and society. They dive deep into neurodiversity, the myth of meritocracy, the impact of epigenetic trauma, and why authentic leadership requires discomfort. Together, they unpack: The roots of equity as a people-centered movementHow epigenetics and historical t...
Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami speaks with Leroy Smith, an educational leader and advocate, about the power of culturally affirming education, trauma-informed practices, and what it means to center justice in daily school life. Through personal stories and professional insights, this conversation highlights how resistance shows up in the everyday work of educators who believe in equity for all students—especially Black boys and neurodivergent learners. Topics Cove...
Send us a text How can we bridge the digital divide, improve equity in education, and make edtech work for all students? In this episode, Dr. Tami sits down with Dewayne J. McClary, an education leader with deep expertise in K-12 schools, digital equity, and education leadership. They uncover the biggest challenges—and solutions—facing today’s schools. Key Topics: ✔️ Equity is a Journey, Not a Destination – Why social justice and educational equity require long-term commitment. ✔️...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Megan Fuciarelli, the Chief Empowerment Officer of US² Consulting, for a deeply insightful conversation on equity, identity, and social justice in education. Megan shares her personal journey from a homogenous upbringing to becoming a national leader in DEI work, highlighting the critical need for educators to reflect on their biases and reframe curriculum to be inclusive. They also tackle urgent top...
Send us a text This week on The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Dr. Jerri Johnson, an educator and leader with a wealth of experience in equity and social justice work. Together, they discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating systemic inequities in education and beyond. Key topics include: The Journey Toward Equity: Dr. Johnson reflects on her transformation from a young teacher unaware of systemic inequities to a vocal advocate for change. The Power of Voice: Discussin...
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, Katherine McCord, founder of Titan Management, joins Dr. Tami to explore the power of embracing neurodiversity and fostering inclusion in education, business, and beyond. Drawing from her personal experiences with OCD, misophonia, and bipolar disorder, Katherine shares actionable strategies for educators and corporate leaders alike to create spaces where all individuals can thrive. Listeners will gain insights on: The Business Case for Inclusi...
Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kass Minor, inclusive educator, author of "Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools," and co-founder of The Minor Collective. Dive into a passionate discussion on fostering equity, joy, and justice in classrooms and school communities. Kass shares insights from her book and her personal experiences as a classroom teacher, mother, and equity advocate. Together, they explore strategies to make sch...
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Tami Dean is joined by Julye Williams, founder of Project 2043 Institute, a visionary organization preparing communities for a multiracial and inclusive future. Together, they explore the shifting demographics of America and the intentional actions needed to create equity in schools, workplaces, and communities. Julye shares her journey from corporate America to founding a school and leading a movement toward inclusive practices, all framed by her powerful ...
Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami Dean returns to share an honest reflection on balancing personal wellness with the work of equity and social justice. Reflecting on the challenges and expectations often placed on women, especially those from marginalized communities, Dr. Dean opens up about her own journey to prioritize rest, set boundaries, and give herself the same grace she readily offers to others. Dr. Dean discusses powerful themes from previous ...
Send us a text In this compelling episode of "The Equity Hour," Dr. Tami talks with Katie O'Malley, a seasoned career coach and workplace strategist, to explore the transformative power of leadership rooted in equity and social justice. Drawing from her extensive experience across the nonprofit, corporate, and education sectors, Katie shares her personal journey from the south side of Chicago to the forefront of social impact coaching. Together, they discuss the systemic challenges within wor...
Send us a text In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean the critical conversation about the difference between performative and practical equity in leadership. Are you truly ready to lead equity work in your organization, or are you merely ticking boxes? Dr. Dean explores essential considerations, from understanding the "why" behind your equity initiatives to aligning policies, structures, and financial resources for genuine impact. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this epis...
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