First Name Basis Podcast

As parents, we all want to teach our kids to be inclusive, but how? Join Jasmine Bradshaw each week as she gives you the tools and practical strategies that you need to talk to your children about race, religion, and culture. If you are a parent who values inclusion and wants to teach your children how to truly love those who are different from them, this podcast is for you!

9.2: Don’t Do THIS During Black History Month 02/01/2024

9.2: Don’t Do THIS During Black History Month In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’m passionate about Black History Month. I did not enjoy learning about Black history growing up. It felt more like grieving than celebrating for me, and because of that it’s my dream to make Black History Month a positive experience for ALL children and students. So today, as part of that, I’m talking about 3 mistakes parents and teachers should avoid when talking to kids and students about Black History: 1. Don’t say “because they were Black.” It’s time to put the onus on racism. 2. Don’t refer to Black people as “non-white.” This makes it seem as if being white is the “norm.” Just use the correct identifiers and describe people for what they ARE instead of what they aren’t. 3. Don’t only focus on struggle. When we do this, it doesn’t just harm Black students. It harms ALL students. And this is why I created Bite-Sized Black History, to be able to celebrate all the joyful things about being Black. And y’all know me, I would never give you 3 things NOT to do without also giving you lots of things to DO, so press play on the episode to learn more about these three don’ts and to get ideas for some actionable steps for making Black History Month a meaningful celebration. Bite-Sized Black History is a collection of mini-podcast episodes that empower you to teach kiddos about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. You know about Dr. King and Rosa Parks — now it’s time to explore other Black leaders and learn from their stories! I just released 12 new episodes as part of Bite-Sized Black History Season 4 — bringing the total number of episodes in the library up to 40! The catalog includes activists, inventors, scientists, entertainers, artists and more, and each episode comes with an accompanying coloring page and reflection questions to help you have meaningful conversations with the kiddos in your life. From now until the end of February, you can use the code BSBH29 for 29% off any Bite-Sized Black History package — 29% in honor of leap year giving us an extra day to celebrate Black History Month. Head over to to learn more and to have a meaningful Black History Month by getting your copy of Bite-Sized Black History today. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode by Julie Olsen Edwards and Louise Derman-Sparks Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/29745913

9.1: Let’s Celebrate Black History Month 01/23/2024

9.1: Let’s Celebrate Black History Month Can you believe February is right around the corner?! And with it comes BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Celebrating Black History Month is so important for ALL kids, not just Black children, and I created to help kiddos everywhere be able to learn about Black history in a way that is both meaningful and joyful. In this episode, I’m telling you all about Bite-Sized Black History and including a sample episode for you to check out that is all about singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte! is a collection of mini-podcast episodes that empower you to teach kiddos about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. You know about Dr. King and Rosa Parks — now it’s time to explore other Black leaders and learn from their stories. Each Bite-Sized Black History lesson will give you everything you need to foster meaningful conversations that go beyond the bounds of civil rights and enslavement to celebrate the creativity, ingenuity, joy, and brilliance of the Black community. Season 4 is now available and features 12 new episodes bringing the total number of episodes in our library up to 40! The catalog includes activists, inventors, scientists, entertainers, artists and more, and each episode comes with an accompanying coloring page and reflection questions to help you have meaningful conversations with the kiddos in your life. Press play to learn more and to hear the sample episode! Be sure to check out our sale! And, as a special treat, from now until the end of February, you can use the coupon code BSBH29 for 29% off any Bite-Sized Black History package — 29% in honor of leap year giving us an extra day to celebrate Black History Month. Head over to to learn more and to have a meaningful Black History Month by getting your copy of Bite-Sized Black History today. Song credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/29614843

8.15: Work With Me: First Name Basis 10/25/2023

8.15: Work With Me: First Name Basis We’re wrapping up Season 8 with this episode, and it’s got me thinking all about our evolution over the years. From beginning as a tiny Instagram account to starting the podcast, from working with families to working with schools, First Name Basis has grown in ways that is a dream come true! I consult with schools across the country to implement anti-racist education. But as some of you have said, you’re not sure what that would look like, so in this episode, I’m giving all the details of what it looks like for me to work with your school! It’s one thing to know that anti-racism is important but it’s another thing altogether to get it started. So many schools have diversity statements for prioritizing anti-bias and anti-racist learning, and getting those good intentions to be practical action is what I’m here for! In this episode, I talk all about: • Why it’s important to have anti-racism in schools • What a partnership with me looks like • How to get a partnership started • What you can do to get the ball rolling at your school Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Head to to get our school consulting guide where I explain First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6 Episode 9: Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/28298414

8: We Are Anti-Racist and Anti-Genocide 10/24/2023

8.14: Black and Brown Emojis Are Not a Punch Line 10/10/2023

8.13: Invisible Lynching and What It Says About the Fight for Justice 10/03/2023

8.13: Invisible Lynching and What It Says About the Fight for Justice Trigger warning: Before you continue reading these show notes or listening to this episode, please be aware that it discusses lynching and white supremacist violence. Lynching is a reality both now and in the past. Yet despite the fact that lynching continues to happen, it took more than 120 years to get an anti-lynching bill passed. In that time, more than 200 iterations of bills that would make lynching a federal crime were introduced and failed to pass over and over again — including one that was voted down only three days before Ahmaud Arbery was lynched in February 2020. It wasn’t until May of 2020 that Ahmaud Arbery’s story became national news. Before then, it was an invisible lynching — one that wasn’t widely known. But that doesn’t mean it should just be ignored, and the fact that these “invisible lynchings” still happen says a lot about what still needs to be done in the fight for justice. In this episode, I talk more about: The work I’m doing with a company called Litby that sparked the research for this episode. The struggle to pass an anti-lynching bill The importance of continuing to fight against lynching and other acts of racism — both the ones that make big headlines and those that don’t. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 17: “” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 4: “” offers a supplemental novel study program that supports students in reading, comprehending, and engaging with rigorous novels. Invite Jasmine to work with your school at “” by Eric McDaniel and Elena Moore, NPR “,” All Things Considered, NPR Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/28173977

8.12: Raising Multiracial Children 09/12/2023

8.12: Raising Multiracial Children Growing up as a multiracial child, I often felt my racial identity shifting and developing — heck, even as an adult I do! Navigating what it means to be multiracial continues to be a journey for me, which is why I was so excited to be able to interview Dr. Jennifer Noble. Dr. Jenn, as she’s known online, is a licensed psychologist, parent coach and associate professor of psychology, who shares her expertise both in her private practice in Los Angeles and online. She focuses on identity and mixed race experience as she works with mixed race teens, BIPOC women and other marginalized groups. In our conversation, we discuss: • The experience many multiracial children have of shifting identity development. • How parents can help their multiracial children prepare to answer questions about their identity. • Affirming identity in the face of other people’s assumptions. • How terminology can change based on where the mixed race person is in their identity journey. • Building resilience in kids and their parents through open communication. I hope any of you listeners out there who are multiracial or raising multiracial kiddos leave listening to this conversation feeling like you can be more fully connected to your family and your identity. And for anyone who is monoracial, I hope this gives you a better understanding of how you can support the multiracial people in your life. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Dr. Jenn’s , which includes information about Mixed Life Academy Dr. Jenn’s Instagram account Dr. Noble’s by Dr. Maria Root “” by “” by Dr. Maria Root of a mom in England giving her son a shirt to tell him he’s leaving the school where he’s been bullied Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/28006854

8.11: 3 Things I’ve Learned On My Anti-Racist Journey 09/06/2023

8.11: 3 Things I’ve Learned On My Anti-Racist Journey This episode is a bit of a role reversal with someone I admire SO MUCH. I have been a longtime fan of Rachel Nielson’s podcast 3 in 30: Takeaways for Moms. Each episode is 30 minutes long and provides 3 ACTIONABLE takeaways for listeners to go and do. She has over 250 episodes covering a huge variety of topics — from potty training to mental health to tips for not looking at your phone as much — and I’ve been honored to be a guest on her podcast in the past to talk about anti-racism. And on top of that, I’m lucky to get to call Rachel a dear friend and podcasting mentor of mine. But today, Rachel is bringing her takeaways to First Name Basis as I interviewed her about three takeaways from her anti-racism journey. Rachel is white, which makes this episode relatable and a great opportunity to learn for anyone who is also white or benefits from white privilege. But if you are BIPOC, this episode is a helpful one for you to hear too because it can be one you can share with people you want to be able to have real conversations with about anti-racism. Rachel is so open and vulnerable in this episode as she shares her takeaways, which are so profound in how foundational they are. Her takeaways are: 1) Be willing to acknowledge the possibility that you might be racist. 2) Start looking for examples of racism in yourself. 3) Diversify your community — both online and in person. I hope you take time to listen and reflect on what your own anti-racism takeaways would be. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or click the button below for more information! Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Rachel’s Instagram Rachel’s Rachel is hosting a FREE masterclass on how to be a less angry mom. Register and learn more at Three of my favorite 3 in 30 episodes are: • • • My episode on Rachel’s 3 in 30 Podcast: " Rachel’s audio course Join the waitlist for program /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27952608

8.10: Let's Talk Language: Under-Resourced 08/29/2023

8.10: Let's Talk Language: Under-Resourced Language is always evolving and we need to evolve with it. Reflecting on the words we’re using and recognizing opportunities to grow and change is a natural (and necessary) part of our anti-racist journeys. It means breaking down and unlearning things that we thought in the past, but the result is language that better aligns with our intent. So this week we’re taking a look at the term “under-resourced” and discussing why we need to switch it out for something new. If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve already heard me talk about how I changed from using “low-income” to “under-resourced,” but I’ve learned recently that “under-resourced” may not be the most accurate term after all. In this episode, I share: • Why I’m now choosing to say “historically exploited communities” or “systemically exploited communities” instead of “under-resourced.” • More about what it is that causes words and meanings to change. • The journey I take, the feelings I feel, and the questions I ask myself when I’m considering how my language should change to reflect my anti-racist journey. Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 8, Episode 2: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 22: by Sadeqa Johnson (Season 1 features Dr. Charles Drew) by Class Trouble /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27876558

8.9: Teaching Children About Disabilities 07/25/2023

8.9: Teaching Children About Disabilities July 26, 2023, is the 33rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. If you’re doing the math in your head, let me give you a shortcut: That means the ADA wasn’t passed until 1990. 1990?! It took quite a while for Americans with disabilities to officially be named a protected class as neither the 1964 Civil Rights Act nor the 1965 Voting Rights Act included people with disabilities — and the United States still has a long way to go in making our public spaces, businesses and communities truly accessible. In honor of the 33rd anniversary, I wanted to invite a very special guest — Amy Webb — on the podcast to teach us about how to talk to children about disabilities. Amy is a DREAM guest of mine. She exudes passion for all of the things that she does, and that’s just one of the many reasons why I admire her so much. Amy is an artist, writer, mother and creator of the blog . As the mother of a disabled daughter, she advocates for the disability community through her writing and . She is the author of two children’s books. Her first, “When Charley Met Emma,” teaches children about disability, friendship and inclusion and her second book, “Awesomely Emma,” is a sequel that teaches the power of self-advocacy. Amy lives with her husband and three beautiful daughters in Ohio. This interview is full of Amy’s thoughts and wisdom, and she teaches us about: Identity first vs. person first language. How to respond when our children point out disabilities. Why it’s important to never ever touch someone’s wheelchair without asking. The importance of having a plan for supporting disabled children during emergency situations. How a place is not accessible if a bathroom is not accessible. What action steps non-disabled people can take when we come to a place that is not accessible. The intricacies of the “just ask” philosophy July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize people with disabilities, their inherent worth and their invaluable contributions, as well as to bring awareness to the ongoing fight for disability rights. July 26 is also the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law. We put together a resource email to help you learn more about the ADA, how you can get involved in disabilities rights advocacy and for ideas on how you can teach children about disabilities. Head over to to get the email sent straight to your inbox! Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Amy Webb’s blog, Amy Webb’s Instagram “,” by Amy Webb “,” by Amy Webb /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27559023

8.8: My Journey: Resisting White Supremacy Culture and Finding Joy 07/18/2023

8.8: My Journey: Resisting White Supremacy Culture and Finding Joy Y’all, I’m gettin’ REAL in this episode. We always talk about how anti-racism is a journey not a destination, and it’s so important to take time to reflect on that journey. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing part of my journey with you! You may have heard of the Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture developed by Tema Okun. She is a white woman who has been doing DEI work for more than 30 years, and she developed this list of 15 characteristics of white supremacy culture in the early 1990s, but the list has sort of been revived since 2020. In this episode, I share the 15 characteristics and more about where they came from but I really zero in on two of them — perfectionism and a sense of urgency — to talk about how I’ve seen them playing out in my own life and use them as a reflection tool. None of us is immune to white supremacy culture, and I’m no exception. I hope hearing me talk about my own journey gives you the chance to reflect on where you are in your anti-racism journey, including how far you’ve come and where you still want to go. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode by Tema Okun by Tema Okun by Tema Okun Deconstructed Podcast Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27494916

8.7: All Children Need "The Talk" 07/11/2023

8.7: All Children Need "The Talk" Parents of Black children are all too familiar with “The Talk.” “The Talk” where they teach their kids not to have their hands in their pockets at a store. “The Talk” where they teach their kids how to act around police in an attempt to keep themselves safe. “The Talk” where they teach their kids about the racism they’re already experiencing and will continue to experience. But the truth is, “The Talk” isn’t something that only families with Black children should be having — it’s something white children and other Children of Color should be hearing about as well so they can be part of the solution. And this week on the podcast, I have a powerful interview with author Alicia D. Williams to talk about “The Talk,” which is the subject and title of her new children’s book. Alicia is an award-winning author of books that offer understanding, empathy, hope and inspiration, including “The Talk,” which received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. She is a graduate of the MFA program at Hamline University and an oral storyteller in the African American tradition, and she lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the interview, we talk about: The story behind her book “The Talk” Why white children and other Children of Color need to have the talk as well Tips for how to have the talk How to teach children about the police How to talk to kids about the dangers of racism while also helping them feel safe Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Get your Little Allies Activity Book If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you! Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism. The Little Allies Activity Book includes: Color by number Protest I Spy Dot to dot Anti-racist word search Black history unscramble And more! Get your hands on it today by heading to ! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Alicia’s Alicia’s Instagram account “” by Alicia D. Williams All of Alicia’s books on the “,” by Jonathan Franklin, NPR Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27362505

8.6: The Untold Story of “The Star Spangled Banner” 07/03/2023

8.6: The Untold Story of “The Star Spangled Banner” You probably learned in school all about the story of Francis Scott Key watching the “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” as a prisoner on a British warship and turning the experience into “The Star Spangled Banner.” But, in reality, there is a lot more to this story than you learned about in history class — and a lot of what you did learn in school was false. In this replay of one of our Untold Stories episodes, we unpack the man behind “The Star Spangled Banner,” how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values. It’s the perfect episode to revisit for the Fourth of July holiday. Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate — in fact, the Fourth of July is a great time to talk about Juneteenth! We have an exciting program to help you celebrate! gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner. It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations. Even if you didn’t celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it’s not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family! Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode “” “ “,” Documentary from Morgan State University “” by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine NPR by Felicity Knox, Towson University “” by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27338760

8.5: The Story of the First Openly Gay MLB Player: Glenn Burke 06/27/2023

8.5: The Story of the First Openly Gay MLB Player: Glenn Burke Happy Pride my friends, especially to the LGBTQ+ members in our community! To celebrate Pride, I wanted to share an episode from my program that features a Black American who was LGBTQ+. So today, we’re learning about Glenn Burke, who was the first openly gay Major League Baseball player! Glenn Burke was an amazing athlete and always the life of the party. He wasn’t afraid to be his authentic self, even when people were discriminating against him. He is even credited with creating the high-five! Glenn’s life was cut short by AIDS, and I’ve included in this episode some insights and lessons I learned from an LGBTQ+ activist for talking to kids about AIDS, which I hope are helpful to you as a parent, teacher or caregiver. And I hope by listening to Glenn’s story and reflecting on his life that we can be part of creating change so that others don’t have to go through the same things he did. Get your FREE coloring page to go along with the episode Glenn Burke’s story is part of my program, where I feature 28 different Black Americans who you may have heard of but who have largely been overlooked in the history books. Each person is featured with a mini podcast episode, coloring page and reflection questions to help the kiddos in your life really learn about these amazing people in a meaningful way. And to go along with this episode, I’m giving away the coloring page and questions that go along with Glenn Burke’s episode! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/mlb to get your copy sent straight to your inbox, and be sure to head over to to learn more about Bite-Sized Black History. Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or visit for more information! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 4: “” with Elena Joy Thurston Listen to this , the second openly gay player in the MLB, wrote to Glenn. in the 1977 World Series. Resources for teaching children about HIV/AIDS: explains what HIV is. Here is a episode about losing family during the AIDS epidemic is about how to protect yourself and others from HIV. is about what it’s like to live with HIV. is a segment from the Today Show called “Looking Back on 40 Years of the AIDS Epidemic.” The Reagan administration’s response to the AIDS epidemic was rooted in homophobia. You’ll see that through . I really love for all of the different topics they cover about sexual health. Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27286431

8.4: Motherhood: An Unexpected Act of Resistance 06/20/2023

8.4: Motherhood: An Unexpected Act of Resistance This episode is a special one to me, one dedicated to all of the Black and Brown moms out there. A lot of my Black and Brown friends who are stay-at-home moms in the thick of it with tiny kiddos have told me that they feel like they’re not doing enough to contribute to the anti-racism movement. For my friends and anyone else in this community who reads that and thinks “that’s me!” I have a message for you that I hope you hear loud and clear: Being a Black or Brown stay-at-home mother is an act of resistance, an act that is SO IMPORTANT to the movement. Please note that I am not putting down working moms down at all! I AM a working mom, and my mom was a working mom. I just don’t think Black and Brown moms in particular don’t hear enough that they are part of the movement and that what they are doing in their homes is such an important act toward justice and anti-racism. Press play on the episode to hear more about what I mean. It’s one you’re not going to want to miss! Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email for more information! Check out our summer sale Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23! With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner. Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE! No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart. If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom. Head over to to learn more or to get the programs! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 26: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 14: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 8: by Peggy McIntosh Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27156051

8.3: The Untold Story of the Story That I Told: Correcting Mistakes When Teaching Kids About Slavery 06/13/2023

8.3: The Untold Story of the Story That I Told: Correcting Mistakes When Teaching Kids About Slavery Did you read the title of this episode? It’s a doozy! As convoluted as “The Untold Story of the Story That I Told” is, I couldn’t resist calling this newest episode that because of the WILD ride I went on making it. Years ago I made an eBook called “Rise and Resist” where I highlighted five different Black people who were alive around the time of Juneteenth. I told their stories and really wanted people to use this eBook to be able to share stories of Black resistance with children and students. I was planning on using one of those stories in today’s episode as a way to illustrate how talking to kids about slavery can be complicated, but when I opened the book, I was astounded. I could not believe some of the stuff I wrote! There were things in there that I would never say today — things I would cringe about if someone else said them, but I double cringed knowing that I wrote them! So this episode is a little bit of what I had planned, but also a little bit of me correcting what I got totally wrong. I hope this episode reminds you how anti-racism is a journey. It’s about growth. And the best thing we can do is keep moving forward and keep trying to grow. Sometimes we’ll be in a position where our growth is evident, even if it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s worth it. If we’re not trying to make change, speaking up and telling stories, then we might miss the opportunity to try to make things right — which is something I’m trying to do today! Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email for more information! Check out our Summer Sale! We have a surprise for you — Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23! With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner. Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE! No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart. If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom. Head over to to learn more or to get the programs! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 3: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 26: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: by Clint Smith by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers by Nicole Hannah-Jones by Ibram X. Kendi by First Name Basis in the South when Virginia seceded NAACP Culpeper Branch for writing and teaching about slavery “,” by by Becky Little, History.com Elizabeth Van Lew, Elizabeth L. Van Lew, Throughline Podcast, NPR in The Anglo-African Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27133398

8.2: What Is Coded Language? 06/06/2023

8.2: What Is Coded Language? I’ve been thinking a lot about coded language lately. If you’re unfamiliar with that term, coded language is when someone is talking negatively about a marginalized group without explicitly saying who they’re talking about — but the “code” is that other people in the dominant culture know exactly who they’re talking about. While coded language is seemingly neutral, it is actually very harmful. In this episode, I share the story from my own life that is the reason why coded language has been on my mind, and you’ll also hear: What coded language is generally What racist coded language is specifically What to do when you hear racist coded language Break down a few examples of codes language Invite Jasmine to work with your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Email [email protected] or head to firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information! Check out our Summer Sale! We have a surprise for you — Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23! With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner. Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE! No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart. If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary to learn more or to get the programs! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 8: from National Education Association The Genocide Education Project Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/27054774

8.1: Bite-Sized Black History 01/26/2023

7.18: An Update on Our Cross Country Move 12/13/2022

7.17: Jesus Had Brown Skin 12/06/2022

7.16: Your School Has a Diversity Statement. Now What? 11/29/2022

7.16: Your School Has a Diversity Statement. Now What? We all know that 2020 was a wake-up call for a lot of people. It was a time of reflection, a time of change (hopefully), and a time where schools all over seemed to prioritize inclusion by drafting diversity statements. But here we are in 2022, and I find myself asking: Have the diversity statements made a difference? It’s not enough for a school to just have a diversity statement up on its website — administrators, teachers, parents and students must be doing the work to make sure the values in that statement are actually reflected in how the school is run. Dr. Renata Williams knows first hand what it’s like to help a school turn a diversity statement into a reality, and she came onto the podcast this week to help us learn how we can help our schools do the same. Dr. Williams is an education administrator with over a decade of experience who is currently the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania — the first person to hold this position at the school. She’s worked with administrators at the school to design a comprehensive strategic diversity, equity and inclusion plan for everyone from faculty to students. In this episode, Dr. Williams helps us understand: How we can help teachers feel supported as they integrate anti-racism curriculum into their teaching. How to embrace and foster students’ budding activism. How parents, teachers and administrators can work together to make diversity statements have real impact at a school. The value outside experts can bring into helping a school prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion. Invite Jasmine to speak at your school! Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help! Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource. Head to or email [email protected] for more information! Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 6: Get in touch with Dr. Williams at [email protected] Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/25154070

7.15: How to Center Indigenous Peoples During Thanksgiving 11/22/2022

7.14: Teaching Our Children About Unfamiliar Accents 11/15/2022

7.14: Teaching Our Children About Unfamiliar Accents Have y’all ever driven down the East Coast? I don’t mean to spoil the magic for you but I gotta say, it’s basically a straight shot through a wall of trees. So I was pretty excited when I noticed a few colorful billboards dotting my path. That excitement quickly turned to disgust when I realized that those billboards were super-duper racist. These billboards not only appropriated Mexican culture but also used broken English and made fun of Mexican accents. Yikes. In this episode we break down linguistic racism and dig deep into what it looks like and what we can do about it. Press play to learn: What linguistic racism looks like. The detrimental effects of linguistic racism. Why it’s so important to talk to our children about unfamiliar accents. Concrete ways to introduce unfamiliar accents to our children and fight linguistic racism. Join us for a You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship! At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist. My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system. First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at . If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission. Check out our Thanksgiving resources Thanksgiving is next week, and we have a gaggle of free resources for you — including multiple episodes, sample letters to send your kiddos’ teachers and resources you can use in your home! Want some ideas for how to talk to your kids’ teachers about teaching Thanksgiving in an inclusive, Indigenous-centered way? Head to for some sample letters and a free download that you can send to teachers to get the conversation going! Looking for ways to center Indigenous Peoples’ in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration? Head to to get some ideas sent straight to your inbox! Looking to learn more about how to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that reflects the true history? Check out all of Thanksgiving episodes: Season 1, Episode 13: Season 1, Episode 14: Season 4, Episode 13: Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode Please note I am not linking Pedro’s South of the Border because I do not want to drive traffic to their site. by Maura Judkis, Washington Post , BBC by Michael Erard, Quartz by Walt Wolfram, Learning for Justice , North Carolina State University Annamend Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/25023102

7.13: The Importance of Black and Asian Solidarity 11/08/2022

7.13: The Importance of Black and Asian Solidarity To say I’m obsessed with New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho’s novel is an understatement. Yes, it’s a book technically written for young adults, but it’s also one adults need to read — because not only is it a beautiful story of grief, but it is also an impactful story about anti-racism. I had the privilege of interviewing Joanna recently and talking to her about “The Silence That Binds Us” and specifically the lessons it teaches about Black and Asian solidarity. And just as much as “The Silence That Binds Us” is a book you don’t want to miss, this interview is one you’ll want to tune into as well! In this episode, Joanna and I discuss: Her process in writing “The Silence That Binds Us.” What Black and Asian solidarity looks like. The power of stories in anti-racism work. What we can do about book banning in our communities. is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” and “Eyes that Speak to the Stars.” She has extensive experience as an educator (she’s previously worked as an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, a creator of educator professional development, and a high school vice principal) and is passionate about anti-bias and anti-racism work. Joanna lives in the Bay Area where she enjoys chocolate chip cookies, being outside and having dance parties with her two kiddos. Join us for a You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship! At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist. My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system. First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at . If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission. Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode Joanna Ho’s Joanna Ho’s Instagram account Learn more about Joanna’s upcoming children’s book “One Day” , which has reports about book bans in America and ideas about what you can do to help stop the bans , which advocates for diversity and representation in children’s literature. Joanna Ho’s Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24936318

7.12: Real Quick: Black Voting Power 11/03/2022

7.12: Real Quick: Black Voting Power If you’ve been around a while, you’ve heard me say it hundreds of times: Race is a social construct. Race was created and has always been manipulated to make sure that the people in the dominant culture — in the U.S., that means people who are white, middle class, Christian, male and cisgender — can maintain power. History is full of examples of this, but we don’t need to only look to the past to see it happening — it happens all the time, right now, in our own communities, and one current example is the fight to restrict Black voting power. I’m sharing my thoughts about this in today’s episode, “Real Quick: Black Voting Power,” which is the second episode in our new Real Quick series! You know when you’re talking to someone and the conversation is about to wrap up but there’s one more thing you want to say before you part ways so you say, “Real quick, ____”? There are lots of things I want to say or wish I could add that don’t quite fit in an episode or qualify as a full episode on their own, so this Real Quick series is my way of sharing those thoughts with you. Whenever we have a Real Quick episode, you can plan on getting two mini-episodes that week. If you missed our that was released on Tuesday, don’t forget to also check it out! Get your Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media. We’re here to help! Head over to to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 11: “” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 1:”” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 14: “” “,” by Hansi Lo Wang, NPR Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24885153

7.11: Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience 11/01/2022

7.11: Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience Politicians need experience to do their job. This may fall under the “unpopular opinion” category to some people, but it’s something I feel strongly about and have been thinking about for a while. You wouldn’t want someone who played a surgeon on TV — but didn’t actually go to medical school — to perform surgery on you. So why would you want someone with no experience or training in politics to be your elected official, especially when we’re talking about a position with as much power as the President of the United States? I’m sharing my thoughts about this in today’s episode, “Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience,” which is the first in our new Real Quick series! You know when you’re talking to someone and the conversation is about to wrap up but there’s one more thing you want to say before you part ways so you say, “Real quick, ____”? There are lots of things I want to say or wish I could add that don’t quite fit in an episode or qualify as a full episode on their own, so this Real Quick series is my way of sharing those thoughts with you. Whenever we have a Real Quick episode, you can plan on getting two mini-episodes that week, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday, so be on the lookout later this week for another small dose of the First Name Basis Podcast! Get your Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media. We’re here to help! Head over to to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: by Maggie Astor and Alicia Parlapiano, The New York Times Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24860442

7.10: The Scariest Costume: An Untold Story of Appropriation 10/25/2022

7.10: The Scariest Costume: An Untold Story of Appropriation When the team here at First Name Basis was doing the research for our recent episode “Alcatraz: An Untold Story of Indigenous Resistance,” we came across the story of the Tammany Society — and we knew right away that story was too wild not to share! The Tammany Society — also known as the Tammany Hall or the Columbian Order — was organized in the late 1780s right alongside the founding of the United States. It was a group of white men who were influencing the politics in New York at the time and then spread out geographically from there. Their story is one rampant with cultural appropriation that directly relates to injustices and racism we still see in this country today. And to make the story even more bonkers, one of the most notable members of the society is someone who has become a household name in recent years. “Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?” The twists, turns and wild connections in this story are something you’re not going to want to miss. In this episode, we’ll tell you more about: The origins of the Tammany Society. How it’s creation was in response to the creation of the Society of the Cincinnati (Spoiler alert: Alexander Hamilton enters in the story here too) The Tammany Society’s many instances of appropriation of Indigenous culture. A look at a specific example of the Tammany Society’s appropriation that we still see today (Spoiler alert #2: It’s the Atlanta Braves) Get your Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media. We’re here to help! Head over to your to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox! Get your FREE Let us help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween with this FREE DOWNLOAD! We’ve created a printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to to get your copy sent straight to your inbox! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 8: “” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 16: “” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 1: “” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 2: “” Britannica “,” July 5, 1929, news article “,” Time “,” by Gustavus Myers “,” The History Files “,” by Tim Page, Washington Post “,” Wikipedia Society of the Cincinnati , The Society of the Cincinnati website The American Revolution Institute Carroll Smith-Rosenberg Encyclopedia.org “,” Online Etymology Dictionary “,” Wikipedia “,’” Timothy Winkle “,” by Rebeca Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine “,” Alan Leander MacGregor “,” by Bill Felber, Call to the Pen “,’” Boston Globe article from Dec. 21, 1911 First Name Basis Untold Stories Episodes First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 8: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 7: Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24788517

7.9: Children of Color in Schools: the Stories Behind the Statistics 10/18/2022

7.9: Children of Color in Schools: the Stories Behind the Statistics One of the biggest messages we’re trying to get across with First Name Basis is that learning a person’s story and getting to know them as an individual is the best way to create understanding and foster anti-racist, inclusive communities. Heck, it’s such an important concept that it’s our name! Getting on a first name basis with people has so much power, and it’s one of the things that made me want to watch the new documentary Did you know that race is the #1 predictor of whether a student will be successful in the educational system? And according to “Defining Us,” almost 50 million children attend public schools in the U.S. and more than half are students of color. “Defining Us” goes beyond the statistics to tell the stories of BIPOC students in Los Angeles and New York — the country’s two biggest school districts — and interviews experts on the topic of race and education. This week on the First Name Basis Podcast, I interviewed Paul Forbes and Stacey DeWitt about their work on “Defining Us.” Paul Forbes is one of the film’s executive producers, director of partnerships and one of the experts featured in “Defining Us.” He is an anti-bias and educational equity consultant who worked in the New York City Department of education for more than 20 years and has worked for years on equity initiatives and training educators and administrators on bias, culturally responsive education and discussions about systemic racism. Stacey DeWitt is the director and an executive producer of “Defining Us.” She is an Emmy Award-winning producer, journalist and attorney who has produced over 65 documentaries, many of them focused on children and families. She is deeply committed to the power of storytelling through video and how those stories can create change. In our interview, we discuss: How the documentary came to be. How teachers and students can engage in conversations about race. The impact of systemic racism on education. The power of video in storytelling. Join First Name Basis on Support First Name Basis and our mission to create anti-racist communities by joining our community! Members of our Patreon community come together once a month for a Q-and-A session or a Policy Party to learn more. For Q-and-A sessions, Patreon members ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. For Policy Parties, we invite community experts to help all of us take our values into our communities and make change to policies relevant to their area of expertise. Trust me, both of these added opportunities to learn are opportunities you don’t want to miss! To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit . And don’t wait! Our next Q-and-A is Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET! Get your FREE Let us help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween with this FREE DOWNLOAD! We’ve created a printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to to get your copy sent straight to your inbox! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode Watch the “Defining Us” “Defining Us” “Defining Us” on “Defining Us” on “Defining Us” Paul Forbes’ company, Stacey DeWitt’s company, Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24715173

7.8: Culture is Not a Costume: Cultural Appropriation and Halloween 10/11/2022

7.7: Alcatraz: An Untold Story of Indigenous Resistance 10/05/2022

7.7: Alcatraz: An Untold Story of Indigenous Resistance Alcatraz. What comes to your mind when you hear the name of that little island off the coast of San Francisco? For me, I heard "Alcatraz" and I pictured that guy who says, "Say hello to my little friend." I know, I know, wrong coast. I couldn't have been more off base. But all I really knew is that it used to be a high-security prison and I imagined Scarface going there. Well, did you know that Alcatraz was the site of an Indigenous protest so powerful that it was a catalyst for the Red Power Movement? In this episode we do a deep dive into this powerful untold story of Indigenous resistance. Press play to learn about: How a tiny clause in a treaty from 1868 sparked a years-long protest The Alcatraz Proclamation in which the Indigenous Peoples claimed the island “by right of discovery” Multiple examples of Indigenous Peoples choosing their values over money The connection of the Alcatraz occupation to Indigenous Peoples' Day Get resources to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day sent to your inbox! Indigenous Peoples’ Day is coming up on October 10, and one of the best things we can do to celebrate is learn more about the history of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We want to help by sending you some resources to help you learn more. Head over to to get the resources sent straight to your inbox! Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 8: by Emma Bowman, NPR , University of Massachusetts Lowell Library by Jerry Kamstra by Kimbra Cutlip, Smithsonian Magazine , National Archives by Jodi Rave, History.com by Dennis W. Zotigh and Renee Gokey, Smithsonian Magazine University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ACLU South Dakota , Unitarian Universalist Association The White House by Zeke Miller and Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press States that have but under different names Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN /episode/index/show/firstnamebasis/id/24587067

First Name Basis Podcast

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