Attends a School That Affirms and Expands Them with Dr. David Johns

What does it truly mean for a school to affirm who Black children are and expand who they can become? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr.

Leah Austin is joined by Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and longtime education justice advocate, for a powerful conversation about affirming schools, identity, and imagination.

Together, they explore how classrooms shape belonging, joy, and possibility for Black children—especially in the earliest years. Dr.

Johns reflects on his own childhood, the educators who affirmed him, and what it takes to build learning environments rooted in love, curiosity, and cultural truth. This episode challenges us to see schools as sites of worldbuilding, where affirmation fuels learning and freedom becomes possible.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.