Educational Equity Emancipation
“We have to do better”… That’s Dr. Almitra Berry’s heart-felt answer when asked about educating children from diverse cultural and language backgrounds. Dr. Berry has a strong message for educators and school system leaders who don’t understand that cultural differences can profoundly affect the quality of education these children experience… “You have children with failing test scores. You have teachers who want to teach but aren’t given the freedom or allowed to use the tools and strategies they need. You have teachers leaving the profession in droves. And you have tax-paying parents who are very dissatisfied with their children’s education but don’t know how to effect change.” In other words, our education system has a crisis on its hands. And this crisis affects all of us, not just teachers and those in the educational establishment. It’s a crisis we must address if we’re going to have an exceptional nation with school systems free of systemic oppression. We need to take it to heart. We need to act on Dr. Berry’s message. It’s a message she’s deeply passionate about. As an educator, speaker, and author, she focuses on the education of the most historically marginalized: culturally and linguistically diverse learners. She has worked diligently for over 30 years to help marginalized learners, learners of color, of linguistic and cultural diversity in low-wealth urban school districts, experience higher academic achievements. Dr. Berry is on a mission. A mission bigger than herself. A mission to change the conversation happening around the topics of education, equity, and intellectual emancipation for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. But she can’t do it alone. So she’s looking for leaders to join her. Is that you? If you’re nodding your head and saying “Yes!” as you read this, we invite you to subscribe and listen to The Educational Equity, Emancipation Podcast.
Episodes
In this special Juneteenth episode, Dr. Almitra L. Berry signs off from Educational Equity Emancipation, reflecting on the significance of Juneteenth as both celebration and reckoning.
She connects its lessons to the current challenges facing DEI and educational equity, and shares why she’s stepping away to protect her mental health and continue her advocacy in new ways.
Stay connected with Dr. Berry on BlueSky (@almi...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but for educators and students, the stress is year-round. In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry dives deep into the realities of mental health in schools-why it matters, how it intersects with equity, and what you can do right now to support every student.
Discover:
- Why schools are the new front line for mental health support
- How Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) goes beyond buzzwords...
In this episode of the Educational Equity Emancipation Podcast, Dr. Almitra L. Berry dives deep into the significance of Haitian Heritage Month and why representation matters for every child-especially those whose stories are too often erased from our classrooms. Discover the powerful history behind Haiti’s name, its legacy as the world’s first Black-led republic, and the impact of Haitian American voices in U.S. educ...
Join Dr. Almitra Berry and Christina Rodriguez, founder of Tumbleweed Publishing, as they dive deep into transforming literacy education for neurodiverse and marginalized learners. Discover how culturally responsive, engaging decodable readers can empower children, challenge misconceptions, and create pathways to success for every student. A powerful conversation about breaking educational barriers and championing inc...
Dr. Almitra Berry explores the critical importance of recognizing and integrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage in K-12 education. She challenges stereotypes, advocates for authentic representation, and provides practical strategies for educators to create inclusive classrooms that honor the rich diversity within AANHPI communities. Learn how to transform curriculum, foster empathy, an...
Dr. Almitra Berry explores the rich cultural landscapes of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Haitian Heritage Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. She provides educators with actionable strategies to amplify diverse voices, support neurodiverse learners, and create more inclusive classrooms. Discover practical tools for honoring cultural contributions, advocating for equitable ...
Dr. Almitra Berry sits down with Dr. Shelby Kretz, founder of Little Justice Leaders, to explore the transformative power of social justice education for elementary-aged children. With a Ph.D. in Education from UCLA and over a decade of experience, Dr. Kretz shares how her organization equips educators and parents with resources to teach kids about equity, inclusion, and justice. Discover why starting these conversati...
Dive into the powerful story of the Pearl, the largest recorded escape attempt by enslaved Black people in 1848, and explore the profound significance of Washington DC's Emancipation Day. This episode uncovers the systemic inequities of the 1862 Compensated Emancipation Act, traces the ongoing fight for racial justice, and challenges listeners to understand how historical oppression continues to shape modern educ...
Dr. Almitra Berry unveils her groundbreaking new book, "The Culturally Competent Educator," offering educators powerful strategies to create inclusive classrooms. Through personal stories and practical tools, she explores how to dismantle systemic inequities, celebrate diverse learners, and transform educational experiences for every student. Discover actionable insights to build more equitable and culturall...
Join Dr. Almitra Berry in this powerful episode of the 3E Podcast as she explores Arab American and Middle Eastern North African (MENA) Heritage Month. Discover practical strategies for educators to create more inclusive classrooms, incorporate diverse literature, and support MENA students' learning experiences. From historical insights to actionable teaching techniques, this episode provides a roadmap for celebr...
In this powerful episode, Dr. Almitra Berry explores the critical challenges facing students with disabilities in the U.S. education system. She examines threats to IDEA and Medicaid funding, discusses potential impacts of Department of Education cuts, and provides actionable strategies for advocates to support students with special needs. Through personal stories and policy analysis, Dr. Berry highlights the urgent n...
Welcome back, Equity Warriors! In this episode of the 3E Podcast, Dr. Almitra Berry explores the importance of March as National Disabilities Awareness Month, Women's History Month, and Ramadan—and how these observances intersect to shape our classrooms and communities.
From the historic Capitol Crawl that fueled the disability rights movement to the ongoing fight for gender equality in education, Dr. Berry unpack...
Join Dr. Almitra Berry and educational technology entrepreneur Heather Wiederstein for a timely revisit of their powerful 2023 conversation, newly urgent in today’s climate. This episode unpacks the intersectionality of Black/Brown and queer identities within DEI frameworks, exploring how systemic marginalization manifests in education and society.
**Key discussions include**:
- The weaponization of *...
In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes Dr. Dana Goodier, an educational powerhouse with 23 years of experience. Dr. Dana Goodier has taught World Languages and English and worked as a middle school administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership early 2020, researching reasons parents were opting their students out of high-stakes testing. Dr. Goodier often speaks at conferences...
Welcome to a special re-airing of the inaugural episode of the Educational Equity Emancipation Podcast, originally broadcast on October 20, 2022. This episode serves as the perfect introduction to Dr. Almitra Berry and the mission behind this transformative podcast, which has been running for over two years now.
This week, Dr. Berry invites both new and long-time listeners to gather around and get acquainted. She ...
This episode of the 3E Podcast addresses the urgent issue of racism and anti-DEI efforts in schools. Dr. Almitra Berry discusses the disturbing story of a 10-year-old Black girl with autism who was handcuffed by police, highlighting systemic inequities. The episode delves into data on disciplinary disparities, achievement gaps, and funding inequities impacting marginalized students. Dr. Berry provides strategies for e...
In this episode, host Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes author Tonya Duncan Ellis, the brilliant creator of the bestselling Sophie Washington book series and the picture book "They Built Me for Freedom." Tonya shares how her personal experiences and the rich history of Black culture inspired her work, which celebrates identity and engages young readers in meaningful conversations about freedom. The discussion explo...
In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry discusses the importance of shifting the focus from Black History Month to Black Futures Month. She highlights inspiring Black achievers in STEM, the arts, and education who are shaping the future, and provides actionable strategies for educators to incorporate Afrofuturism, future-focused projects, and diverse representation into their curriculum - even amidst restrictive laws. Dr. ...
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes seasoned psychotherapist Phyllis Levitt, author of the book "America in Therapy." Phyllis shares her unique perspective on applying therapeutic principles to address the growing divisions impacting our children and communities. She emphasizes the importance of understanding family dynamics, addressing trauma, and fostering a culture of healing to ...
In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry reflects on the journey of the 3E Podcast over the past two and a half years. She expresses deep gratitude to her listeners, guests, and the behind-the-scenes heroes who have contributed to the podcast's success. Dr. Berry also shares her plans for 2025, which include continuing the podcast, and issues a call to action for listeners to start a daily gratitude practice focused on...
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