In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada, an experienced educator and researcher, dives deep into the psychological and emotional impact of segregation on students. Drawing from both academic research and her own lived experiences, Dr. Canada explores how the environment in which children learn significantly shapes their mental health, self-concept, and academic achievement.

This episode focuses on the crucial role of education in shaping a more equitable and mentally healthy society. Dr. Canada discusses how teachers and quality education play a pivotal role in supporting students emotional well-being, regardless of whether schools are segregated or desegregated. She also reflects on her personal journey, as detailed in her book Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters, revealing how the past continues to shape and influence todays educational system.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into how systemic inequities continue to affect students today, why mental health must be prioritized in education, and how shifting attitudes can lead to meaningful behavioral change. Dr. Canada emphasizes that education is about more than academics, it's also about supporting the emotional and developmental needs of the student.

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Stephanie Deutsch, acclaimed writer and critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Weekly Standard, The Millions blog, and numerous local publications. Ms. Deutsch is the author of You Need a Schoolhouse: Booker T. Washington, Julius Rosenwald, and the Building of Schools for the Segregated South, a compelling exploration of one of the most impactful educational partnerships in American history.

Growing up in segregated Arlington, Virginia, where she attended an all-white elementary school, Ms. Deutsch offers a personal perspective on how recent and lasting the impact of segregation remains. Through research and lived experience, she highlights educations power to drive change.

At the center of our conversation is the extraordinary collaboration between Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, president and part-owner of Sears. Together, they started a transformative school-building program that led to the creation of over 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, which provided access to quality education for Black children across the segregated South. The generations that attended these schools would go on to become key leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, proving that education truly is the foundation of change.

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. Today, we welcome Rosa E. Blackwell, a retired educator and former Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, who dedicated 36 years to transforming education and uplifting communities. Ms. Blackwell shares her personal journey growing up in Cincinnati, shaped by a foundation of faith, family, and work ethic. Influenced by teachers who held high expectations and showed respect for all students, she made it her mission to ensure every child, regardless of background, had access to quality education.

Ms. Blackwell highlights the critical role adults play in shaping the lives of young people, emphasizing that excuses should never be the reason children fall victim to low expectations. Her commitment to excellence and community empowerment is evident as she speaks passionately about the need to hold all students to high standards.

Our host, Dr. Canada and Ms. Blackwell reflect on their contrasting academic experiences: Dr. Canadas shaped by desegregation and Ms. Blackwells by segregation. This comparison opens a deeper conversation about the level of support students receive in different educational environments and the effects of systemic inequities. Ms. Blackwell discusses the integration of Cincinnatis school system. She shares her insights on the ongoing challenges of training teachers and administrators to effectively educate students across diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.