In this special crossover episode, we’re excited to welcome Jen Cort—educator, consultant, and host of the Third Space Podcast—for a timely and deeply human conversation about what it truly means to show up as an educator in today’s world. This dialogue goes beyond surface-level conversations about equity and dives into the emotional labor, leadership courage, and community-centered resistance required to sustain identity-affirming work in schools. From the personal to the political, we unpack how educators across the globe are navigating increasing restrictions, rising polarization, and systemic pushback—while still holding space for joy, justice, and transformative care. Together, we explore: - Jen's journey into this work and what she’s learning from educators around the world; - How we hold onto joy and courage in times of resistance; - The necessity of collective care, self-advocacy, and community grounding; - The messy realities of allyship, privilege, and being a “shield” in equity work; - And what “showing up” looks like in classrooms, districts, and beyond. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or simply someone trying to do the right thing in hard times, this conversation is an invitation to reflect, resist, and rise—together. To learn more about Jen's work, you can visit her website at jencort.com or follow him on LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm ___________________________________________________________________________ BIO: Jen Cort, a highly regarded consultant, collaborates with schools across the United States and internationally. Aiming to help schools achieve sustainable growth that supports their long-term goals, her expertise includes school assessments, capacity building, strategic thinking, professional development, parent education, and advisory program development. Jen's collaborative approach involves partnering with trustees, leadership teams, students, teachers, and parents to build on each school's strengths and address areas of need, making everyone feel included in the process. Jen is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in schools. She hosts the internationally syndicated and highly acclaimed podcast Third Space With Jen Cort, a platform for discussing these critical issues. Her commitment is further demonstrated in her book, HUBS: Help Us Begin Mindsets and Strategies for Challenging Conversations, and is quoted in leading publications, including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Andrew B. Campbell—affectionately known as Dr. ABC—for a powerful conversation about identity, scholarship, and community. Dr. Campbell takes us on a journey through his upbringing in Jamaica, early career experiences in the Bahamas and the United States, and his eventual relocation to Canada. He opens up about his doctoral journey and the challenges and triumphs of navigating academia as a Black, openly queer, Jamaican-Canadian immigrant. Now a professor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Campbell shares how he uses his platform to mentor Black educators and foster inclusive, affirming learning spaces. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on what it means to be a community-centered scholar and the importance of showing up authentically in academic and educational spaces. This episode is a must-listen for educators committed to justice, identity-affirming practice, and building community through education. To learn more about Dr. Campbell's work, you can visit his website at drabc.ca or follow him on Instagram (@teachablemomentswithdrabc) and LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:34 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:35-6:04 - Introducing Dr. Andrew B. Campbell 6:05-16:38 - Dr. Campbell's Start in Education & K-12 Schooling Journey 16:39-24:06 - Leaving Jamaica, Working in the Bahamas and the United States, Moving to Canada (Pt. 1) 24:07-24:45 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 24:46-31:33 - Leaving Jamaica, Working in the Bahamas and the United States, Moving to Canada (Pt. 2) 31:34-38:20 - Mentoring Black Educators at University of Toronto 38:21-52:22 - Dr. Campbell's Doctoral Journey & Life in Academia (Pt. 2) 52:23-53:21 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 53:22-1:12:10 - Doctorate Degree vs. Forging Your Own Path 1:12:11-1:15:51 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:15:52-1:17:40 - How to connect with Dr. Campbell 1:17:41-1:18:06 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Andrew B. Campbell (DR.ABC) is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in Leadership for Racial Justice in Teacher Education in the Master of Teaching Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto OISE. He is Coordinator for the Black Future Educators’ Program (BFEP) and the newly appointed Director of the Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE). DR. ABC is known to the OISE and wider community for his leadership on advancing equity, leadership, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and teacher education. DR. ABC’s exemplary work has seen numerous awards bestowed to him, such as a 2024 recipient of the Black History Month Award, from the Jamaica Canadian Association; The 2022 Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education from University of Toronto; The 2021 Distinguish African Caribbean Award from University of Toronto, African Alumni Association; The 2021 Champion Educator Award from ONABSE (Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators) and numerous others. He presently teaches courses in anti discrimination education, leadership, educational change, urban education, and Black Educators’ Identity and Pedagogy. He has presented at numerous conferences and has delivered many presentations as a keynote speaker, motivational speaker, and workshop facilitator. He loves people, food, fashion, traveling and bringing his community together for a good meal.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE, we sit down with Dr. Jamila Dugan—liberatory leadership coach, former teacher, and co-author of Street Data—to explore what it means to radically dream, lead, rest, and mother in an unjust world. Drawing from her upbringing in Oakland, Dr. Dugan shares how her early schooling experiences ignited her passion for equity and how her years in the classroom shaped her transformative vision of leadership. Together, we unpack the meaning of "radical dreaming" and why it’s an essential practice for educators committed to justice and liberation. Dr. Dugan also reflects on the healing power of rest, the intentional parenting strategies she uses to affirm her children’s identities, and what inner peace looks like on the journey of self-discovery. To learn more about Jamila's work, you can visit her website at jamiladugan.com or follow her on LinkedIn. SPECIAL PROMOTION!! Radical Dreaming Community of Practice (2025–2026) Hosted by Dr. Jamila Dugan, Dr. Annie Phan, and Hanaa Elmi Get 10% off when you mention Identity Talk! This yearlong experience is for educators and leaders ready to reimagine what’s possible—and take bold, collective steps to bring those dreams to life. Through 10 virtual sessions, we’ll build a community grounded in joy, purpose, and transformation. Designed for educators, instructional coaches, school and system leaders, and nonprofit partners, this cohort is for those yearning to move beyond Equity-Centered Transformation 101. With two tailored tracks—one for instructional leaders and one for administrative leaders—this community supports participants in both dreaming about the possibilities of a more meaningful education and building the skills, mindsets, and tools needed to create real change in our systems now. At a time when many feel constrained and exhausted, this experience offers something different: a bold invitation to reimagine education, reconnect with our purpose, and co-create learning environments where students—and the adults who serve them—can truly thrive. Want to join us? Click ​on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4m8sv7LTZ6IvPpEK1WRiDt6Rv4u6qgqfrPcM1HNuLqHFn4g/viewform?usp=header​ to fill out a quick interest form. That helps us figure out if this experience is the right fit for you. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:00 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:01-3:01 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:02-5:52 - Introducing Dr. Jamila Dugan 5:53-19:25 - Jamila's Start in Education & K-12 Schooling Journey 19:26-24:45 - Jamila's Journey in Liberatory Education 24:46-25:24 -Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 25-25-30:59 - Unpacking Radical Dreaming in Education 31:00-38:18 - The Value of Rest 38:19-39:17 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 39:18-43:47 - Kwame's Radical Dream 43:48-48:03 - Jamila's Radical Dream 48:04-54:05 - Jamila's Motherhood Journey 54:06-55:53 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 55:54-58:01 - How to connect with Jamila 58:02-58:42 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Jamila Dugan is an educator, coach, and author who has spent her career uplifting the experiences of students, families, and educators whose voices have historically been marginalized. Her work weaves together ancestral knowledge legacies, strength-based coaching approaches, and strategic thinking to open up worlds of possibility. She works with educators to align visions for creating a more abundant future to everyday impact on the next generation of leaders and students.