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The Impact of Antiracist Leadership | S2, Ep 4 | Changing the Course
What does antiracist leadership look like in schools?
This is the main question episode 4 of Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education Season 2 seeks to answer as our host, Nick, is joined by guests from Gary Comer Middle School, Noble's only middle school.
From school programming to what the hallways of the school look like, Principal JuDonne Hemingway and Assistant Principal Ashley Norris of Gary Comer Middle School (GCMS) talk about the steps they have taken to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and antiracist environment for their students. They also discuss what it looks like for White school leaders and educators to show up and lead antiracist work.
They're joined by Trinity, Malea, and Dawson, students at GCMS, who weigh in on how Hemingway and Norris' leadership has impacted their school experiences and offer their thoughts on how educators can do better for Black kids. You can learn more about the students, Hemingway, and Norris at nobleschools.org/blog.
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Parts of this episode:
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Setting Up A Culture for Antiracist Work
22:16 - Showing Up for Students & Staff
47:43 - Getting Down to Practice
53:14 - Epilogue
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"Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education" is a video podcast series for all 6th through 12th-grade teachers, educators, and staff who want to provide an antiracist education for their students. Hear stories, tips, and successful strategies from principals, teachers, staff, students, and families at Noble Schools, a leading public charter school network in Chicago, IL.
Visit us at nobleschools.org to learn more about Noble Schools.
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Credits:
Hosted by Nicholas Jones, Manager of Student Support and Culture at Noble Schools.
Produced by Janelle Jones, Nicholas Jones, and Ashe Kenyon.
Edited by Ashe Kenyon & Jasmin Stackhouse.
Music by Angel Mancilla, mixed and edited by David Redick.
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Want to send us a question? Email us at communications@nobleschools.org with the subject line "Question for Changing the Course"
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About The Podcast
Changing the Course: Building An Antiracist Education is a video podcast series for all 6th through 12th-grade teachers, educators, and staff who want to provide an antiracist education for their students. Hear stories, tips, and successful strategies from principals, teachers, staff, students, and families at Noble Schools, a leading public charter school network that serves over 12,700 students in Chicago, IL.
Meet The Host

Nicholas Jones is a native of Chicago’s Southside and has served Chicago students and families for 14 years.
Jones is in his 7th year at Noble Schools and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Culture and Support. In this role, Jones is committed to curating safe, supportive, and equitable school cultures across Noble.
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