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What changes when educators stop whispering their stories and start saying them out loud? We went live to introduce Voices of Education, a new anthology that brings together teachers, advisors, and leaders across K–12 and higher ed to tell the truth about classroom life—mentors who saw more in us, rookie mistakes that taught the real lessons, and the quiet breakthroughs that keep us going.

We kick off with gratitude and a clear mission: give educators a platform to be seen and heard. Anthony Brown shares how he wrote from a place of responsibility and thanks, honoring the people who pushed him to claim his calling—then reveals a personal transformation that reframed his purpose. A higher ed advisor draws on her first‑gen story to guide new students through the maze of college choices, while a social studies powerhouse shows how a Black history teacher made the past feel urgent and alive. And when K rystal opens up about leaving the classroom to run a restaurant, the conversation reframes “leaving” as another way to teach—through leadership, jobs, and community care.

Midway, we ask everyone to capture the power of education in a single word. The responses—empowered, knowledgeable, full of possibilities, transformative, powerful, and liberating—anchor a bigger theme: learning frees people. These aren’t slogans; they’re lived moments, like an elementary teacher who chose discipline as love or an assistant principal who bridged a hesitant student to college. Along the way, we highlight HBCU advocacy, culturally responsive teaching, first‑generation support, classroom management, and the real work of coaching, STEM entrepreneurship, and National Board Certification.

If you’re a new teacher, you’ll find guidance and solidarity. If you’re a veteran, you’ll feel your influence honored. If you’re pivoting careers, you’ll see how purpose travels with you. Grab Voices of Education through the authors to support them directly, share the teacher who changed you, and join us at our upcoming gala book signing. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to someone who needs a reminder that their story still matters.

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Start with the celebration, stay for the blueprint. We dig into what it actually takes to carry Black and Brown students from middle school affirmation to HBCU graduation—calling out performative mentorship, naming the prison pipeline, and replacing vague “support” with concrete logistics that feed, fund, and finish. Our guest, Tanisha, reveals BELL Academy—Beyond Excellence Ladies Leadership Academy—a nonprofit microschool where girls gain safety, voice, and hard skills: STEAM and robotics, hydroponics to nourish their communities, and entrepreneurship so every student forms an LLC by eighth grade. It’s identity and agency braided with real-world capacity.

We talk money without flinching. If you don’t trust institutional spend, deliver your support in-kind: printers, paper, art supplies, menstrual products, laundry detergent, even bedding. Care packages matter more than applause, and recurring help beats one-time scholarships. Churches, alumni, and neighbors can step in with rides home, on-campus relationships, and monthly boxes that bridge hunger and dignity. We also unpack FAFSA changes—fewer questions, higher stakes for errors—and why workshops are essential to keep students from getting kicked out of the process over a single misstep.

This conversation is powered by collaboration over ego. A closed door on a building becomes an open campus through community ties; women leaders share platforms, not credit. We spotlight children’s books that put representation on the page, a forthcoming Kwanzaa story, and a simple donor path that keeps tuition low for working moms. If you’ve ever asked “How do I help?” here’s the map: buy directly from BELL Academy’s Amazon registry, attend scholarship events with receipts, assemble a care package for a student, and mentor with consistency, not captions. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who cares about HBCUs and girls’ education, and leave a review telling us one action you’ll take this week. Your follow-through can be the difference between an acceptance letter and a graduation day.

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A tiny baton, a big stage, and a six-year-old with fearless focus—meet Aleem, the youngest drum major we’ve ever featured. From the first beat, his joy is contagious. We talk about the rhythm of practice at home, the guidance of a committed coach, and how a supportive parent keeps the fun front and center while building real skills. It’s a story about early talent and steady encouragement, but it’s also a roadmap for how a community turns a spark into a sustainable path.

We dig into the details that matter: why stretching and formation make stage confidence possible, how YouTube helps a first grader pick up advanced moves, and what a proper drum major uniform can do for presence and pride. We explore the pull of multiple interests—football, basketball, and band—and how movement, music, and teamwork all feed the same engine of growth. Along the way, we connect the dots between youth leadership, marching band culture, HBCU traditions, and real scholarship opportunities that can change a child’s future. This is about more than a performance; it’s about planting seeds for long-term success.

If you’re in Richmond, Virginia, you can help right now: Aleem needs beginner drum lessons and a uniform in black, white, and gold. For everyone else, sharing his handle—TikTok: Aleem the Dream Six—amplifies his journey and opens doors. Subscribe for more stories that celebrate youth achievement, leave a review to boost visibility, and share this with someone who loves marching bands or mentors young musicians. Your support might be the beat that carries a dream forward.

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When change knocks you off balance, do you brace—or build? We sit down with Dr. Monique Robinson to map a clear path from disruption to purpose-driven momentum, tracing how a pandemic pivot became a nonprofit, a TV platform, and books that elevate student voices. The conversation moves from mindset to mechanics, showing how courage, clarity, and community turn an uncomfortable season into a strategy for growth.

We unpack purpose as a daily operating system, not a slogan. Dr. Robinson shares how her mission—expanding access to HBCUs and championing minority scholars—guides decisions, energizes teams, and sustains grit on tough days. We talk identity as advantage for Black women entrepreneurs, translating lived experience into leadership, and using your voice to shape products, programs, and partnerships that meet real needs.

Education takes center stage as a tool for liberation: practical steps to shrink the gap between talent and opportunity, including streamlined HBCU applications, financial literacy, mentorship rhythms, and family inclusion. We spotlight the power of community—simple, consistent acts that create momentum: sharing events, showing up, and staying connected so wins compound over time. From a living history fair to a health event with in-kind services, and a gala that funds scholarships, this episode offers a blueprint for designing legacy as a series of tangible outcomes. Want to turn change into impact and purpose into action? Follow, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can grow this community together.

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Maria Williams shares her journey as founder and curator of In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery, San Antonio's only Black art gallery, and how she's creating space for cultural pride and representation in the art world.

• Founded the Art of Four Art Initiative to advocate for Black and minority artists after noticing lack of representation in grant awards
• Started with coffee shop meetings with four admired artists before hosting first exhibition in a friend's home
• Teaches artists to value their work appropriately and understand their worth in the marketplace
• Received recognition through Express News coverage and Contemporary Art Month award
• Gallery located in historic St. Paul Square, described as "San Antonio's Harlem Renaissance"
• Creates transformative experiences for children who see themselves represented in art
• Participates in the Harlem Fine Arts Show and has been invited to showcase in Barbados
• Collaborating with A Better Chance for Youth on February 1st for a Living Wax Museum event featuring young people portraying historical African American figures
• Emphasizes walking in cultural pride and power: "when you have sense of self, you have power"

Visit the In the Eye of the Beholder Art Gallery at 123 Helman Street, third floor, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

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Faith, family, and entrepreneurship beautifully intertwine in this heartwarming conversation with Will and Shannon Corbett, founders of The Vine—a unique collaborative marketplace coming to San Antonio. The couple, joined by their adorable baby daughter Ella, share how a beloved family recipe transformed into a community-focused business venture.

The journey began with Will's grandmother's sweet potato pie recipe, which he adapted to be gluten-free when Shannon was diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity. This labor of love became the foundation for something greater when the couple envisioned a space where local entrepreneurs could showcase their talents without the overhead of traditional retail. The Vine, named after John 15 ("I am the vine, you are the branches"), embodies their mission to create a nurturing environment where vendors can flourish and grow.

What sets The Vine apart is its welcoming approach to both established and emerging entrepreneurs. "If you're new to this vendor business and nervous to branch out, The Vine is the perfect place to start," Shannon explains. With a French market aesthetic and vintage, mismatched furniture, the space will host a rotating selection of vendors selling everything from gourmet baked goods to handcrafted jewelry. Located at 2202 Broadway near the Pearl district, The Vine plans its soft opening on September 27th, with regular hours Thursday through Sunday from 9am to 8pm.

The Corbetts' story resonates with anyone who's dreamed of building something meaningful while supporting others along the way. Their gluten-free sweet potato pie may have been the catalyst, but their vision extends far beyond baking—creating a judgment-free zone where creativity and community thrive together. Whether you're a potential vendor or simply someone who appreciates locally-made goods, The Vine promises to be a fruitful addition to San Antonio's small business landscape.

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We celebrate our Takisha A Davis Scholarship presentation, awarding promising HBCU students across the country. The competition was fierce with over 70 initial applicants narrowed down to ten outstanding finalists representing schools including Florida A&M, Prairie View, Howard, and Spelman.

• Anthony H. Brown joins to help present the scholarships and shares news about his book "Inspire Me Moments"
• Special guest Pamela Davis emphasizes the importance of educational foundations and returning to basics in teaching
• Board members are introduced, highlighting the dedicated team behind A Better Chance for Youth
• Scholarship honorees in places 7-10 receive recognition for their leadership and community service
• Six scholarship recipients are awarded amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000
• Florida A&M University students dominate the competition with four winners, including the $1,000 top prize
• The scholarship continues Takisha Davis's legacy by supporting students with funds that go directly to them, not their institutions
• Scholarship funds can be used for essentials, books, dormitory needs, or personal expenses

Join our upcoming interest meeting on Wednesday to learn about our year-round student program for 7th-12th graders, which focuses on HBCU preparation, financial literacy, and college selection. You don't have to live in San Antonio to participate – we work with students nationwide.

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Building bridges that connect students to historically Black colleges and universities takes dedication, collaboration, and vision. This powerful conversation between Dr. Monique Robinson and board member Leon Frye unveils the critical work happening in San Antonio and beyond to create pathways for young scholars to discover HBCUs.

At the heart of their discussion is the formation of the South Texas HBCU Alumni Alliance – a collaborative initiative bringing together graduates and supporters from various institutions to amplify their collective impact. "It's more strength if more people have it," explains Dr. Robinson, highlighting how even smaller alumni chapters gain significant influence when working together. This alliance aims to move beyond social gatherings to create meaningful advocacy opportunities that directly benefit students.

The episode showcases the upcoming State Fair Classic weekend celebrating the 100th anniversary matchup between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M. This iconic event draws over 50,000 attendees annually and features concerts, the legendary Battle of the Bands, and networking opportunities. Leon details an all-inclusive bus trip package designed to bring San Antonio residents to experience this cultural touchstone while supporting HBCU advocacy efforts locally.

Perhaps most compelling is their honest conversation about the decreasing exposure many students have to HBCUs in their schools. "I got exposed to it because I had older cousins that went to Grambling or went to Southern," shares Leon, emphasizing how critical these personal connections are. The "Scholars on the Move" program addresses this gap by providing 7th-12th grade students with HBCU knowledge, financial literacy education, and mentorship throughout the academic year.

Ready to join this movement? Applications are open for the Scholars on the Move program, board positions are available for those wanting to contribute their expertise, and the State Fair Classic bus trip welcomes all who wish to experience HBCU culture firsthand. Connect with us through our social platforms or website to become part of this growing community dedicated to student success.

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