The Equity Hour
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.
Episodes
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...
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 equit...
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—e...
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 ed...
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 ref...
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 ...
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.
Li...
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, mot...
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 mov...
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...
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 socia...
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 ...
Welcome to Season 2 of The Equity Hour! In this exciting new season, your host, Dr. Tami Dean, brings you thought-provoking conversations with educators and advocates who are making a real impact in the world of equity and social justice. In this kickoff episode, Dr. Dean shares her vision for the season, highlighting the importance of moving from performative statements to practical actions, embracing authenticity, a...
Dr. Tami Dean welcomes Dr. Sara Piotrowski to discuss the integration of equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into educational systems. They delve into the evolution of educational practices, the importance of historical context in teaching, and strategies for effective and inclusive instruction.
Join Dr. Tami & Dr. Sara as they discuss:
- Educational Journey and Growth in DEI
- Challeng...
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of "The Equity Hour" with your host, Dr. Tami Dean. Today, we delve into the pervasive impact of standardized testing on education, exploring how it intersects with equity, and discussing alternative practices that can enhance the joy and effectiveness of learning.
In This Episode:
- The Testing Dilemma: Dr. Dean questions the necessity and effectiveness of '...
In this week's enlightening episode, join Dr. Tami for a candid conversation with Brandon as we explore practical strategies for integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into classroom practices. From reimagining the curriculum to fostering a culture of inclusivity, Brandon shares invaluable insights and actionable tips for educators passionate about creating equitable learning environments....
In this week's episode, Dr, Tami shares key concepts about how we use language inside learning spaces as a social justice and DEI issue. Connecting back to Episode 16, she shares key action steps to reflect on the current status of how language is used in your learning environment with some key actionable steps to foster and build a nurturing socially just environment.
Ideas explored in this episode i...
In this week's episode of Equity Hour, Dr. Tami is joined by Gabriell Gater, Founder and CEO of The Innovative Learners. Dr. Tami and Gabriell discuss the essential elements of fostering empathy, curiosity, and social change in educational settings. They emphasize leading with empathy, learning from students' experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment centered on inclusivity and diversity. The con...
In today's episode, Dr. Tami Dean welcomes listeners to another episode of "The Equity Hour," focusing on diverse texts and their importance in education. Dr. Tami discusses what makes a text diverse, exploring and evaluating your personal history with diverse texts, how to conduct a text audit, and how to take action.
Follow Dr. Tami on Instagram to get additional resources and access the f...
Join Dr.Tami on another engaging episode of the Equity Hour, where we delve into the critical topic of culturally competent teaching. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to be a culturally competent educator, providing actionable steps and insights for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Looking to get started? Listen to episode 14 and head to Instagram and comment Awareness ...
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