The Leaders' Table

Nancy Gutierrez is a former teacher and principal now serving as the President and CEO of The Leadership Academy, a nonprofit that has created a national model for teaching and inspiring leadership at every level of the school system. In our interview, she discusses the importance of proactive leaders who confront injustice, and how the love of her hometown inspires her work everyday. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

LEE member Dr. Elora Diaz is the real deal: She has the degrees, she has the experience, but most importantly she is driven by her belief that students’ creativity should be nurtured, and they should be treated with respect. As governing board president for the Phoenix Elementary No. 1 School District, Elora knows how to leverage her personal experiences with educational inequity and create a safe learning environment focused on doing what is best for students. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

This tenacious Kentucky State Representative and mother of three thrives on breaking through barriers. As a self-described former “free lunch kid” in her community, Rep. Raymond now focuses on creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In this interview, Josie shares secrets for keeping her personal and professional life balanced and “running the best campaign your district has ever seen.” "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

At only 26 years old, Carlos Mark Vera has already had a profound impact, landing him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list as the Founder and Executive Director of Pay Our Interns. After experiencing inequities first hand as a United States Congress and White House intern, he put together a plan that ultimately led to over $48 million being devoted to funding paid congressional career-building opportunities. Listen in to hear how his work is helping pave the way for all students – especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students – to access paid internships, leading to a more equitable workforce and more diverse leadership across all sectors. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by LEE Studios, from Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

This extra-special episode features a conversation between Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Originally recorded as part of a virtual event for LEE’s SparkLeadership initiative, this conversation was hosted by former-US Secretary of Education, Dr. John B. King Jr. This episode is full of inspiring takeaways and features questions directly from LEE members. Tune in for a dynamic conversation around racial justice and gain insights from the panelists’ experience in public leadership.

An honor anyone would be proud of, Kira Orange Jones was named one of TIME Magazine’s most 100 influential people in 2015 for her work reshaping the school system when she served as Executive Director of Teach For America in New Orleans. She currently serves as a member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, representing District 2. In this episode, Kira dives deep into the lessons she has learned about how to gain technical skills for governing, and how invaluable it is to stay connected to the communities you serve. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

From humble beginnings, Marvin Figueroa has built his career around serving others through public policy. Most recently, he has joined the new presidential administration as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the episode, Marvin discusses how he served as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia and various other roles in which he advanced equal access to quality, affordable, and accessible social services. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. John B. King Jr. joined LEE’s final virtual forum of 2020 for a special conversation surrounding the state of the nation’s education system on the brink of political change. Featuring questions from LEE members, Dr. King offered inspiring ideas for moving forward with a new presidential administration and a vision for the future-focused on equity, technology, and leadership. Dr. King was also a guest on The Leaders’ Table earlier this year, so be sure to check out his full episode titled, “Importance of Second Chances”! "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Marco A. Davis is President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), which was founded in 1976 by Latino Members of Congress to develop new generations of leadership. Marco is a thought leader in the areas of civic engagement, educational achievement, community advocacy, and Latinx leadership. He brings wisdom from years of spearheading leadership development for UnidosUS and serving (as Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and as Director of Public Engagement for the Corporation for National and Community Service) in the Obama Administration. Marco and CHCI host a leadership-focused podcast, Here to Lead. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

From neighborhood pulpits to national conventions, Reverend Leah Daughtry is a multifaceted leader with expertise in organizing communities. During the Clinton Administration, she held a number of senior posts in the U.S. Department of Labor and became the first person to become the CEO of the Democratic National Committee twice: first in 2008, and again in 2016. With innumerable contributions to the Democratic platform on her resume, Rev. Daughtry is also the co-author of the NAACP Image Award-winning book For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Over three decades, Caraway has played a major behind-the-scenes role in shaping national politics. She kicked off her career supporting local campaigns, then got a big break working as Chief of Staff for Reverend Jesse Jackson’s second presidential bid. Caraway’s impact has been felt from the operations of national political conventions to hosting intimate dinners between Black female leaders and every major candidate for the Democratic Party's presidential nominees since 1994. Caraway tells the story and offers a blueprint to Black women in the NAACP Image Award-winning book she co-authored, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

From dropping out of high school in NYC, to teaching at them in Puerto Rico, to serving as U.S. Secretary of Education in 2016, Dr. John B. King speaks from a wealth of experiences and service… It’s from all of these experiences that he learned the value of second chances, student & educator support, self-care, and national leadership on the issues facing educational success. Dr. King continues the fight as CEO of The Education Trust, where he advocates for excellence and equity for all students. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Even before becoming the longest running, first-ever Latina domestic policy advisor for President Barack Obama, Cecilia Muñoz had dedicated decades to advocacy for the Latinx community and immigrants’ rights. At the leaders' table, Cecilia shares personal stories and professional strategies from her time in the White House, and empowering lessons from her book, More Than Ready. Cecilia continues her commitment to equity every day as the current Vice President for Public Interest Technology for New America. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

Fueled by his passion for community, Dr. Wes Bellamy became the youngest-ever individual to be elected to the Charlottesville City Council in 2015. He brought equity-minded leadership during the time Charlottesville drew national attention in the conversation about public space and racial reconciliation. Throughout his time as Vice Mayor and a member of the Virginia State Board of Education, Dr. Bellamy has supported countless education and community programs that teach youth about the true power they hold. Dr. Bellamy is motivated by his community and puts his mantra into practice daily: step up and be the change you need. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

This tenacious Kentucky State Representative and mother of three thrives on breaking through barriers. As a self-described former “free lunch kid” in her community, Rep. Raymond now focuses on creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In the interview, Josie shares secrets for keeping her personal and professional life balanced and “running the best campaign your district has ever seen.” "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

In a historic 2018 win, Everton Blair became the first person of color, the first openly LGBTQ+ candidate, and youngest-ever individual to serve on the Gwinnett County Board of Education. For Blair, his job on the school board is personal, considering that he grew up in the very district he now serves. From the classroom to the Obama White House, Everton uses all of his experiences to ensure that every student in Gwinnett County is able to get the best education possible, no matter where they live. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

As a progressive lawmaker in Arizona, Rep. Hernandez is no stranger to fighting injustice. Driven by his passion for social justice and public service from a young age, Daniel was elected to a school board at only 21 years old. Since then, he has tackled many issues at the state, local, and federal levels, including: gun violence prevention, LGBTQ equality, comprehensive immigration reform, and educational equity. "The Leaders' Table" is a podcast by Leadership for Educational Equity. Go to http://info.EducationalEquity.org/LeadersTable for an episode transcript and complete show notes.

It’s no coincidence that Irene Holtzman spends her days advocating for agile school decision making, and her favorite evenings, rocking the dance floor. But being quick on her feet takes a lot of planning. Put your earbuds in and join us as a fly on the wall for Irene’s reflections on her path from 6th-grade teacher to Executive Director of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS). From the tough lessons in her first year leading a team to the importance of mentorship from a leader who she describes as “the baddest of the bad”, this interview have you moving to the rhythm.

What hasn’t Rick Hess done? He’s an educator, political scientist, advocate and author of many books including the recently published Letters to a Young Education Reformer, not mention his role at the American Enterprise Institute. This conversation ranges from evolution and revolution in school systems to how we can move beyond treating the symptoms of struggling schools, to why you usually learn the most from those who disagree with you. But the best part? Rick’s reflections on how to handle the astonishing difficulty of working for change, and how to avoid overwhelm and burnout for a sustainable career. I’d say he should write a book on that, but he already has!

For our milestone 20th episode, we’re excited to share The Leaders’ Table with CEO of New Day New Year and former Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, John Deasy. Deasy is a leader on a mission to kill the school to prison pipeline with lessons to share on keeping calm under pressure. If you’ve listened to other episodes of The Leaders’ Table, you know this episode is packed full of the good stuff!