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For this episode, we are joined by Jamila Sams, founder of the Hip Hop and SEL organization We Do It For The Culture. In this powerful discussion, Jamila breaks down the importance of SEL programming in schools, as well as the offerings of WDIFTC. An important consideration is given to the current social and political climate surrounding schooling, which in many ways has attempted to silence SEL work. We of course close out by bumping some Kendrick, breaking down the lyrics and discussing next steps for educators. Thanks for listening, and check the links below to support WDIFTC! https://wedoit4theculture.com/ IG: @sel4theculture Twitter: @sel4theculture

On this episode of the Lunchroom Cypher, we bring back a Dr. Napoleon Wells for a conversation about mental health. While the initial plan was to discuss tools and strategies for teachers to process their own mental health concerns, after another long school year, it suddenly became necessary to also discuss the school shooting in Uvalde, TX. As always, Dr. Wells grounds us in a focus on mental health and wellness, for teachers and students, in addition to supporting our collective processing of this national tradegy. We bring in some new work from Kendrick Lamar as well. Thanks for listening. Support Dr. Wells by checking out his IG and writings below! IG: napoleontheblerdpsychologist Writings https://www.mvmediaatl.com/post/spyfunk-excerpt-a-bullet-from-a-god-s-gun-by-napoleon-wells https://www.amazon.com/Kick-Gods-Teeth-Story-Iqhawe-ebook/dp/B09YDM8QHR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=XI6VAU4HFSFU&keywords=napoleon+wells&qid=1653660594&sprefix=napoleon+we%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

On this episode of the Lunchroom Cypher, we have a rare opportunity to hear directly from young people at J. C. Montgomery High School - a juvenile court school in Kings County. For 8 weeks I met virtually the JCM principal, Elizabeth Norris, and a small-group of youth to write a Hip Hop song about a social justice issue they deemed relevant to their lives. Together the young people penned a song exploring inequities within the criminal justice system, and then chose to interview each other about their contributions. Their song was recorded during one of our sessions with the help of Josh “Optx” Levine (a local recording artist). On this episode you will hear a conversation between myself, Elizabeth, and Josh to set some context. Then you will hear a song created by young people, as well as a series of interview questions they asked each other. This is one of my favorite episodes yet! The youth also elected to write their own description for this episode, see here: "This episode features students producing a song and interviewing each other. Day to day real-life stories of the inmates of Kings County Juvenile Center. Real-life stories, it ain’t scripted." https://www.kingscoe.org/ https://www.instagram.com/optx/?hl=en

We're back with the 2nd episode of the season, highlighting the wonderful work of Dr. Mike Dando, at the intersections of Hip Hop and Comic Bookmaking.  This episode takes a deep dive into Dando's cross-element work centered on Afrofuturism and English education. We hear about some of the direct work he's done with young people, sharing their own narratives through the creation of their own comic books, and collectively geek out about how English teachers and School Counselors might collab! We of course breakdown some bars - Joell Ortiz this time (admittedly one of my fav. emcees!). Enjoy! Support our guests by following them (links below). IG: @thedandolorian Twitter: @mbdando Also check out his podcast, Comics School: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comics-school/id1504101680

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Lunchroom Cypher Podcast! We kick off this season on Valentine’s Day 2022 with a conversation about love in classrooms with the incredible Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz and Vera Naputi. This episode takes a deep dive into poems from Yolanda’s text, Love From the Vortex. We hear some poems from the book, learn about the ways Vera and students have integrated those poems into classrooms, and together break down quotes from students reacting to their time in the classroom. This episode is an important reminder about the importance of teachers broaching vulnerable and emotional conversations with youth to support their mental health in classrooms. Enjoy! Support our guests by following them (links below), and please visit Yolanda’s website to purchase both Love From the Vortex and The Peace Chronicles! Vera’s Contact IG: @bouldersshoulder Twitter: @bouldershoulder Yolanda’s Contact IG: @yolie_sealeyruiz Twitter: @RuizSealey https://www.yolandasealeyruiz.com/

On this episode of the Lunchroom Cypher, we build with the incredible Shauna Brown, Founder of @TeachForTheCulture. As we all continue to dive headfirst into the 2021-2022 school year, Shauna reminds us about the importance of self-care as a necessary first step in supporting youth development. Together we discuss various ways to practice self-care and break down a fire new verse from Lauyrn Hill off Nas' most recent project. Enjoy!

In this episode, we learn about hip-hop dance, joy, and liberation from Aysha Upchurch. Aysha Upchurch is an artist, instructor, and education consultant committed to youth advocacy, social inclusion, artistry development, and transformative education. Through narratives about her work in dance and education (at Harvard!), we hear about the ways hip-hop dance can propel youth development. We also break down some Lauyrn Hill and share insights for educators!  

On this episode of the Lunchroom Cypher, we sit down with the incomparable Dr. Lauren Kelly who shares insights from years of experience in the English classroom integrating hip-hop based approaches. We also discuss some of the hip-hop based work she is currently leading as an assistant professor at Rutgers University. Together we break down bars from Teyana Taylor, and share practical insights for educators!   Follow Lauren and her brilliance @djdutchesss

Legendary producer Dr. J Rawls and emcee John Robinson join us for a powerful discussion on leveraging hip-hop culture to build relationships with students. Drawing from their experiences working together as a producer and emcee duo (Rawls and Robinson) and writing their book (Youth Culture Power), we glean insights for educators to bring the best out of themselves and their students. We are also blessed with the chance to break down an original track off of their recent album. Follow J Rawls @Jrawls82 and John Robinson @JohnRobinsonMusic, and catch their collaborative efforts @ItsJayAreYCP Tap into their book and music at ItsJayAre.com

In this episode, we are joined by two brilliant educators, Justis Lopez and Ryan Parker to discuss how hip-hop can be a vehicle for choosing joy. We discuss the nuances of their work, around an album and book called "Happyvism", which includes listening to and breaking down bars from some of their music. Please check out and support Project Happyvism: https://www.projecthappyvism.com/ Also follow these brilliant people: @social_justis & @peaceloveparker on IG

Adisa "The Bishop" Banjoko is an author, podcast host, chess player, martial artist and founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation - amongst other amazing things. On this episode we discuss the melding of hip-hop, chess, and jiu jitsu to support youth development. Adisa's incredibly unique and powerful journey began after an unexpected interaction with his school counselor that led to a newfound friendship with the late great rapper Easy-E. We hear about his story in detail on this ep, followed by a breakdown of some dope lyrics - this time some hip-hop and chess bars from Apathy. Adisa is also the host of the Bishop Chronicles Podcast, which you can catch here: http://www.bishopchronicles.com/ Also check his socials: IG: instagram.com/bishopchronicles Twitter: https://twitter.com/adisathebishop

On this episode we welcome on Bartholomew Jones of Cxffeeblack (https://cxffeeblack.com/) - an entrepreneurial venture with specific social implications, started by Bartholomew Jones and Renata Henderson to reclaim the black history of coffee and remain its black future. Together we discuss the history of coffee, and how hip-hop and coffee can be jointly leveraged to reclaim personal narratives. Cxffeeblack is also an emcee, so he shares some of his lyrics with us, and breakdowns practical steps for facilitating coffee cyphers. IG: cxffeeblack https://cxffeeblack.biglink.to/links