Kwame Simmons Sr. - "A Different World"

In this week's episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Kwame Simmons Sr., founder and lead facilitator of The Simmons Advantage. Kwame shares his journey from educator to consultant, focusing on organizational change, leadership development, and workforce development, especially for people with disabilities. Tune in as they discuss the impact of Brown vs. Board of Education, the importance of authentic representation in education, and the unique challenges and successes of turning around urban schools. Together, they explore the potential implications of federal funding cuts and the necessity for innovative thinking in the education system. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the future of education and community empowerment.Thanks for listening to Sticky Note Conversations with Erika Washington. Hosted and executively produced by Erika Washington.  With editing by Black Gypsy LLC and Simone Endress.  Music and mixing by Black Gypsy LLC.  Special thanks to KUNV 91. 5 in Las Vegas.  This show is powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Tide's Advocacy.
The Simmons Advantage
https://www.simmonsadvantage.com/

Theme song "Way Below Acceptable" by Grov "G.T." Tigue IV feat. Inohs Sivad is available on all of your favorite streaming platforms.
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/grovgttigueiv/quincyphones--the-collaba-nation-notes-from-2020

• (00:00) - Introduction to Sticky Note Conversations
• (00:54) - Meet Kwame Simmons Sr.
• (04:08) - Kwame's Journey into Education
• (14:10) - Early Teaching Experiences
• (19:35) - Transition to Administration
• (23:12) - Impact of Representation in Education
• (24:33) - Innovative Educational Programs
• (32:21) - Challenges and Reflections
• (37:41) - Current Political Climate and Education
• (39:46) - Challenging the Education System
• (41:24) - Historical Context of Educational Inequality
• (42:17) - Impact of Brown vs. Board of Education
• (43:31) - Federal Funding and School Performance
• (44:44) - Mismanagement of Esser Funds
• (46:37) - The Role of Government in Education
• (47:56) - Innovative Approaches to Education
• (01:02:02) - Challenges in Public vs. Private Education
• (01:09:47) - The Future of State-Controlled Education
• (01:15:04) - The Simmons Advantage: Transforming Schools
• (01:19:58) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Creators and Guests

Producer

Erika Washington

SE

Editor

Simone Endress

WB

Composer

Wil Black

What is Sticky Note Conversations?

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them.
Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.