The Equity Hour
Welcome to The Equity Hour, a Dragonfly Rising podcast where we delve into powerful conversations on social justice, equity, education, and personal growth. Join your host, Dr. Tami Dean—an experienced leader, coach, speaker and facilitator with over 25 years of expertise—as she offers practical tips, resources, and actionable strategies to help you integrate equity into learning and working environments. Whether it’s a solo episode filled with insights or an engaging discussion with passionate educators, thought leaders, and change-makers, each episode is designed to inspire and empower you to create more inclusive and equitablespaces. Tune in each week to explore the challenges and successes of fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in schools and beyond.
Episodes
43 episodes
Learning to Relearn: Building Identity-Affirming Classrooms
In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah—founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of Learning to Relearn—to unpack what it really takes to create identity-affirming, culturally ...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:02:02
Equity Starts Here: Why Joy Requires Belonging
What if “joy in schools” isn’t possible without belonging? Dr. Tami Dean and Dr. Max Weinberg unpack how humane, trauma-informed practice—and real partnership with families, paraprofessionals, and communities—creates conditions where every stud...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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50:40
The False Choice: Equity, Adoption & Abortion
Author and PhD student Shannon Quist joins Dr. Tami to unpack the false binary of adoption vs. abortion—and the equity issues hiding in plain sight. We trace the Baby Scoop era, Roe v. Wade, evangelical politics, and present-day practi...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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48:05
From Deficit to Belonging: Equitable Math Instruction & Instructional Coaching Strategies
In this energizing conversation, Dr. Tami sits down with Laneshia—math coach, curriculum designer, and host of Make Math Happen—to unpack what equitable math instruction actually looks like day-to-day. From combating deficit narratives...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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47:52
From Bias to Breakthrough: Inclusive Hiring Strategies for Modern Workplaces
In this episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami sits down with Jenn Tardy, founder of Jenn Tardy Consulting and author of The Equity Edge, to unpack the realities of bias in hiring and what leaders can do to bui...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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38:24
When Equity Gets Political: Speaking Up, Showing Up, and Staying Rooted
In this powerful and timely episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami welcomes powerhouse educators Drs. Bre & Kia to discuss what it really means to create safe, affirming schools for trans and gender-creative youth.With h...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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52:12
Organizational Culture, Bias, and Belonging: The Equity Imperative
In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean welcomes Dr. Courtney Teague—leadership strategist, executive coach, and founder of CLT and Associates—for a dynamic conversation on transforming organizational culture through equity, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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53:02
Voices in Justice: Equity Insights from the Field
In this powerful highlight episode, Dr. Tami revisits standout moments from six transformative conversations on The Equity Hour. These voices challenge, inspire, and ground us in what it means to lead with equity, courage, and clarity....
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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57:16
Storytelling, Self-Advocacy, and Building Community Through Film
This week on The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with filmmaker, educator, and community builder LeTerrian Officer-McIntosh (LT) for a conversation that spans Hollywood film sets, youth empowerment, and educational justice....
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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55:15
Equity Under Fire: Why We Can’t Stay Silent
In this powerful episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean is joined by Dr. Shelly Jones Holt, founder and CEO of Leadership Legacy, for a courageous conversation that reframes what equity means in education, leadership, and society. T...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:02:47
The Work Is the Resistance: Equity in the Everyday
In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami speaks with Leroy Smith, an educational leader and advocate, about the power of culturally affirming education, trauma-informed practices, and what it means to center justice in daily school...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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52:37
Equity, Access, and Innovation: Transforming Education
How can we bridge the digital divide, improve equity in education, and make edtech work for all students? In this episode, Dr. Tami sits down with Dewayne J. McClary, an education leader with deep expertise in K-12 schools, digital equity...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:01:53
Unmasking Bias & Building Equity
In this powerful episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Megan Fuciarelli, the Chief Empowerment Officer of US² Consulting, for a deeply insightful conversation on equity, identity, and social justice in education...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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50:43
Using Your Voice for Change
This week on The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Dr. Jerri Johnson, an educator and leader with a wealth of experience in equity and social justice work. Together, they discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating system...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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47:48
Leading with Inclusion: Embracing Neurodiversity
In this thought-provoking episode, Katherine McCord, founder of Titan Management, joins Dr. Tami to explore the power of embracing neurodiversity and fostering inclusion in education, business, a...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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43:46
Spreading Joy and Justice in Schools
In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kass Minor, inclusive educator, author of "Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools," and co-founder of The Minor Collective. Dive into a pass...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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47:38
Beyond the Surface: Building Intentional Inclusivity
In this episode, Dr. Tami Dean is joined by Julye Williams, founder of Project 2043 Institute, a visionary organization preparing communities for a multiracial and inclusive future. Together, they explore the shifting demographics of America an...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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40:55
Reclaiming Rest and Resilience: A Journey in Equity, Authenticity, and Self-Care
In this heartfelt episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami Dean returns to share an honest reflection on balancing personal wellness with the work of equity and social justice. Reflecting on the challenges and expectations often place...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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8:27
The Power of Purpose: Embracing Leadership through Equity
In this compelling episode of "The Equity Hour," Dr. Tami talks with Katie O'Malley, a seasoned career coach and workplace strategist, to explore the transformative power of leadership rooted in equity and social justice. Drawing from her exten...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:04:40
The Equity Litmus Test: Is Your Organization Ready for Results?
In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean the critical conversation about the difference between performative and practical equity in leadership. Are you truly ready to lead equity work in your organization, or are you merely t...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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16:10
The Equity Hour: Season 2 Kickoff
Welcome to Season 2 of The Equity Hour! In this exciting new season, your host, Dr. Tami Dean, brings you thought-provoking conversations with educators and advocates who are making a real impact in the world of equity and social justi...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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6:15
DEI in Education: Strategies and Stories
Dr. Tami Dean welcomes Dr. Sara Piotrowski to discuss the integration of equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into educational systems. They delve into the evolution of educational practices, the importance of historical...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:10:03
Elevating Equity and Joy in Education
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of "The Equity Hour" with your host, Dr. Tami Dean. Today, we delve into the pervasive impact of standardized testing on education, exploring how it intersects with equity, and discussing alternative...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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19:52
Equity in Education: Transforming Classrooms through DEI Practices
In this week's enlightening episode, join Dr. Tami for a candid conversation with Brandon as we explore practical strategies for integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into classroom practices. From reimagining the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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41:51