407 Parent to Partner | Leilani M. Brown

Gina and Sam sit down with Summer Love and Gabby Mclain, co-presidents of the Black Student Coalition (BSC), a thriving network serving over 500 students across New York and New Jersey. Summer is a senior at the Chapin School. At school, Summer is the DEIB president, student a cappella co-director, member of the speech and debate team, a singer in the rock band, and a student admissions ambassador. Her passion for connection and identity-based social justice work is exemplified in her work as the Co-President and Events Team Leader of the Black Student Coalition. The Black Student Coalition is a student-led group that supports the personal, academic, profesional, and social growth of over 500 Black students attending PWIs across 14 states. Fun fact, Summer is double jointed in both of her hands! Gabrielle McLain, a Senior at Horace Mann School, is Co-President and Newsletter Manager of the Black Student Coalition, a 500-member student-led nonprofit that celebrates culture, connections and community amongst Black high school students at PWIs in the New York tri-state area. In addition to BSC, Gabrielle is President of The Union at Horace Mann, which promotes inclusion and belonging for HM’s Black student population. Gabrielle is also a Freshman Orientation Peer Leader, an editor of three student publications, and an afterschool tutor. Gabrielle, a social justice advocate, spent a semester in Washington, DC at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership, where she studied the complexities of geopolitical issues, followed by a summer at Yale Young Global Scholars program in the Solving Global Challenges cohort. Gabrielle is currently a Research and Teaching Assistant for Professor Timothy Adkins-Jones of Union Theological Seminary, where she is researching women’s contributions to Bloody Sunday of the Civil Rights Movement and crafting a youth itinerary for the annual commemoration event in Selma, Alabama. In her free time, Gabby likes to bake and spend time with her beloved Lab, Polo. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Dr. Kay De Simone, a wealth mindset coach and complex trauma psychotherapist, joins Articulating to discuss the concept of imposter syndrome in the context of independent schools. Imposter syndrome is often fueled by external factors such as societal biases and institutional practices rather than individual shortcomings.  Dr. De Simone shares tools and strategies families can use to support their children so they can build confidence and resilience, and also self-advocate in educational settings. ABOUT DR. DE SIMONE Dr. Kay De Simone is a mental wellness expert, university professor, complex trauma therapist, researcher, and TEDx presenter with over two decades of experience supporting high achievers in competitive educational and professional environments. As a parent of daughters who have attended independent schools, she brings both personal and professional insight into the unique challenges faced by students and families in these high-pressure settings. Dr. De Simone is also an avid volunteer, fundraiser, and active contributor to independent school communities. A sought-after paid speaker, she focuses on mental wellness, wealth mindset, and developing strategies that help individuals not only survive but thrive in demanding environments. With a passion for leveling up skills, navigating complex trauma successfully, and helping individuals rise to their  moment, Dr. De Simone empowers students and families to achieve sustainable success while cultivating emotional well-being and personal fulfillment. Outside of her professional life, Dr. De Simone has a deep love for fashion, art, and building a lasting legacy through meaningful contributions and personal growth. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Sam Osborne and Gina Parker Collins explore the growing trend of engagement events at Martha's Vineyard, a popular vacation destination for Black families. They discuss how it has become a hub for conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities that foster community and education.  The co-hosts also celebrate two significant milestones: the 15th anniversary of RIISE (Resources In Independent School Education) and the 5th anniversary of the Articulating podcast.  Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Graduation season is upon us, students--are you ready for life after independent school. Gulp. Life coach Alexa Juanita Jordan joins us to discuss potential challenges that independent school alumni may encounter in adulthood and strategies for overcoming them.   Alexa is a certified life coach and writer. Her new book, THE START OF IT ALL, is now on sale! It's a 20-something's guide to resilience, empowerment, and authenticity at the dawn of adulthood, featuring questions for self reflection paired with anecdotal stories from her 20s.   Alexa has written several full-length and one-act plays and has been published in Smith and Kraus’ Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2022, and is also a Premiere Stages Play Festival Semi Finalist.   In addition to writing and coaching, Alexa has also explored careers in marketing, development, arts administration, education, and theater performance.   She also designed Authentic by Alexa, a downloadable guide that Alexa created to make her signature process more accessible. It’s full of journal prompts, visualization exercises, and personal anecdotes.  Join Alexa for her free weekly drop-in discussion group, “Authenticity Tuesdays” every Tuesday from 8 - 9:00 PM EST on Zoom. She created this space to chat with people about what authenticity means to them, and how we can cultivate more of it. Check out some of the past prompts here.  Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

While gender inclusivity has made strides in independent schools, transgender students still face challenges in achieving a "normal" school experience. Mimi Shelton joins us to discuss trans belonging.   Mimi Shelton (She/Her) is currently the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Trans (NHBS-Trans2023-24) Project Coordinator at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where she leads research projects designed to improve the health of the trans community. Mimi has an extensive background in education and community-based advocacy work. In addition to her experience teaching English at Riverdale Country School, Manhattan Country School, the TEAK Fellowship, and the William Penn Charter School. Mimi's experience also includes serving as the Director of Trans Initiatives and Services at Destination Tomorrow, the Bronx LGBT Center.In 2022 Mimi received the Monica Roberts Torch Award for her work as an organizer of the National Trans Visibility March. She has also been a panelist and presenter for the Audre Lorde Project, GLSEN, the National Education Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, and the Osborne Association. In 2020, Mimi was a featured talent in the Dove Pride 2020 Campaign, “Nothing More Beautiful,” directed by Tourmaline. She also serves on the board of directors for the New York Transgender Advocacy Group and The Okra Project.  This fall Mimi begins her first year of law school (1L) at City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law. She plans to pursue public interest law, particularly relating to labor justice, civil rights, and trans issues.  When she isn't advocating for collective liberation, Mimi loves to roller skate, watch professional wrestling, and dance. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Does it seem like every parent thinks their child is "gifted"? Well, they might be right! Even if the grades don't show it. Gina went on location and visited the Roeper School, an institution for gifted students in the Detroit area to interview Head of School Christopher Federico.  Christopher comes to Roeper from Toronto, having previously served as Head of Academics and Upper School at Bayview Glen and as Director of Curriculum, Research, and Uni Partnerships at the University of Toronto Schools. Fun fact. Or serious fact. Christopher has been a member of the Canadian Army Reserve since 1991 now serves as the Senior Instructor at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College in Kingston, Ontario. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

In recent years, schools have launched major initiatives and strategic plans around DEI. How do they hold themselves accountable to their commitments? Keeniun Brumskill joins us to discuss equity audits. Keeniun is the Executive Director of Community and Social Impact for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School which has locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

When your student graduates, that doesn't mean you have to. Leilani Brown joins to discuss how parents and guardians can become partners. Leilani M. Brown is an advisor to a diverse portfolio of clients including private and independent schools. Her boutique consulting firm has supported strategic plans, cultural audits, and equity-related crises. For over 15 years, Leilani has served as a board member and trustee for various non-profit, education, and art and culture organizations. Leilani is also a published author! Her book From Campus to Career: 25 Tips for Your First Professional Year, is in it's second edition is a widely celebrated guide for interns, new graduates and young professionals. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Dwight Vidale joins to discuss the current state of young men of color in indy schools and his upcoming annual symposium. Register for March 2nd here! Dwight is the Assistant Head of School for Institutional Equity and Belonging for the Collegiate School. Prior to Collegiate, he spent over ten years at Riverdale Country School, facilitating equity programming and teaching middle and upper school English. In 2010, Dwight developed The Young Men of Color Symposium and in 2018, Dwight created Beyond Fear LLC, a consulting firm that collaborates with organizations and institutions to shift equity practices and policies. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!

Gina and Sam continues its conversation with Dr. Hope Rias and dig deep into what schools and educators can do to reduce faculty of color turnover. Hope Rias, Ph.D. is an anti-racist educator and author who teaches History at Siena College. In 2019, she published, St. Louis School Desegregation: Patterns of Progress and Peril and continues to research this subject today. She holds degrees from Spelman College, Brown University, and Indiana University and is a St. Louis Missouri native. Follow us at @artic.ulating on IG for more of Articulating!