In this episode of the Palm Court Podcast, hosts Mike Palmer, Megan Cytron, and Grant Balfour engage with Miles Iton, a New College graduate with a multidisciplinary background in philosophy, hip-hop, and entrepreneurial education. Miles shares his compelling origin story from almost attending Howard to thriving at New College, where he helped establish the Black Student Union and organized community events. He discusses his intriguing thesis on hip-hop as a Rousseauean civil religion and his role in breaking open New College's insular nature, facilitating engagement with Newtown and the broader Sarasota community. The conversation highlights his transition into the education sector, promoting arts-based learning in Taiwan and the U.S with Lo-Fi Language Learning. Join us as we delve into how New College’s tutorial system and environment shaped Miles’ path, offering insights into navigating political upheaval and fostering community connections.
NOTES:
Dr. Tarron Khemraj.
Mike Long, CEO of SailFuture.
Newtown Nation Farmers Market.
As a Fulbright scholar, Iton got involved in language learning through hip-hop in Taiwan.
Dr. Carl Shaw.
Diddy’s inaugural REVOLT conference in Miami.
Rousseau’s “civil religion.”
The Four Winds was a student-run cafe in a building older alums knew as “the Anthro Barn.” Whether or not it’s ever turned a profit remains a matter of debate.
In May 2015, a student and a campus guest both died of fentanyl overdoses. Students subsequently elected to rename Palm Court Parties (PCPs) to Center of the Universe Parties (COUPs). Other campus changes were less voluntary.
The Red Flag Scandal, previously mentioned in Ep. 8.
2016-17 was noted in the Catalyst as New College’s most diverse class. (It was also the largest enrollment.)
Alum Steven Lubka, Head of Swan Private.
lilKrake is a Chinese-language hip-hop artist.
Hip Hop for Change.
n 2020, the Barancik Foundation granted the New College Foundation $500,000 for the “Access Leadership” outreach to local high schools, including Booker High.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Election Context
00:51 Guest Introduction: Miles Eitan
01:26 Miles' Journey to New College
03:00 New College Experiences and Achievements
05:58 Hip Hop and Education
08:17 Challenges and Controversies at New College
19:46 Reflections on New College and Future Outlook
23:34 Reflecting on Trump's Election
24:27 Current Political Climate and New College
26:16 Founding the Black Student Union
29:59 Experiences in Sarasota and Community Perception
31:33 Entrepreneurship and New College's Role
36:05 The Diddy Story and Final Thoughts