Anti-Racism Leadership Institute

In March of 2021, somewhere above the clouds, I opened the Notes app on my phone and started typing. Right there, between a grocery list and a password I will never recover, an idea took its first breath.

Five years later, that idea has a spine, a cover, and a publication date.

I am overjoyed to share that my second book, Antiracism Phobia: Overcoming The Fear and Getting to Work, arrives this October from Harvard Education Press.

For perspective: an elephant takes 22 months to be born. This book took nearly three elephants. Some ideas simply refuse to be rushed, and I have learned to thank them for it.

At its heart, this book is an invitation. An invitation to talk about racial liberation not as a political position to defend, but as a humanitarian imperative to embrace. Not left versus right. Human to human.

The seatbelt sign is off, friends. You are now free to move about the conversation.

Cover reveal and pre-order details coming soon. October, I am ready for you.

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What keeps you inspired to continue this work, even on the days when leadership feels the heaviest?

Educational leadership has never been more complex.

School leaders are navigating staff retention, student well-being, political pressures, community expectations, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for every student.

The challenges are real. But so are the opportunities.

That’s why I’m grateful for the work my associates and I get to do every day through the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute.

Across the country, we are partnering with districts, coaching executive leaders, facilitating courageous conversations, and helping organizations build cultures where students and adults can thrive.

What inspires me most is that the leaders we work with haven't stopped believing that schools can be transformational places. They continue to show up, ask hard questions, and do the work.

The best educational leaders aren't looking for easy answers. They're looking for meaningful progress.

To the superintendents, principals, cabinet members, and leadership teams we have the privilege of supporting: thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.

The work matters. The students matter. And together, we can create schools where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

So tell me: What keeps you inspired to continue this work, even on the days when leadership feels the heaviest?

People don't leave organizations because leaders don't have all the answers.

They leave when they don't feel heard.

In my coaching work, I've found that listening is often the most underutilized leadership skill.

Before your next meeting, ask yourself:
"Am I preparing to respond, or am I preparing to understand?"

The answer may change the conversation.

The best leaders I coach aren't asking:
"How do I get people to do more?"

They're asking:
"How do I create an environment where people can do their best work?"

That might mean:
• Creating psychological safety
• Reducing unnecessary barriers
• Clarifying priorities
• Celebrating growth, not just results
• Making people feel seen, heard, and valued

Leadership isn't about extracting performance.
It's about creating the conditions for performance.

What's one thing you've done recently to improve the environment for your team?

What’s the leadership question you haven’t asked yet?

The one about burnout.
The one about culture.
The one about equity.
The one about whether your leadership is truly reaching every student.

Too often, educational leaders carry difficult questions in silence.

This month, you don’t have to.
Ask me anything.
No scripts.
No perfect answers.

Just honest dialogue about the realities of leading schools today.

Drop your question in the comments, send a LinkedIn message, or email [email protected].

Someone else is probably carrying the same question too.

The questions are coming in...and educational leaders are speaking loudly and clearly.

You’re asking about how to lead with courage during challenging times.
These conversations matter.

What’s become clear already is this:
Leaders don’t need more noise.

They need honest spaces to think, reflect, and grow together.

So keep the questions coming.

Drop them in the comments, send a LinkedIn message, or email me directly at [email protected].

I’m listening. And I’m grateful for the dialogue already taking shape.

Some of the most important leadership questions are the ones people hesitate to ask out loud.

The questions about culture.
Trust.
Burnout.
Equity.
Conflict.
Fear.
Student belonging.
And whether we’re truly reaching every student.

So here’s your invitation:

Ask the question.

Drop it in the comments, send a LinkedIn message, or email me directly at [email protected].

For the month of May, nothing is off limits.

Educational leadership can feel isolating sometimes.
The hard conversations.
The difficult decisions.

The pressure to lead well while carrying the weight of serving students, staff, and communities.

That’s one reason I’m opening up an “Ask Me Anything” conversation this month.

If something has been on your mind—ask it.

*Leadership challenges.

*School culture.

*Equity work.

*Student outcomes.

*Burnout.

*Navigating conflict.

Or, simply how to keep moving forward in difficult moments.

No question is too small or too complex.

You can:

👇 Post your question in the comments

📩 Send me a LinkedIn message

📧 Or email me directly at [email protected]

I’ll be responding throughout the month because I believe leaders deserve spaces for honest dialogue, support, and learning.

Let’s learn from each other.

Superintendents and principals don’t lead systems.
They lead experiences.

And for a student, school is experienced one day at a time.

So I ask the educational leaders that I coach:

Did ever student feel seen today?
Did every student feel challenged today?
Did every student feel they belong today?

Because if not. We have work to do tomorrow.

And we will.

Tell me about a time when you felt supported as a student, and how that memory impacts you today.

Starting MONDAY, May 18th, I’m opening the door for something a little different:

ASK ME ANYTHING.

*Leadership.

*School culture.

*Anti-racism work.

*Superintendent leadership.

*Equity.

*Burnout.

*Difficult conversations.

*Student belonging.

*The realities of leading through complexity.

Nothing is off limits.

Over the years, I’ve had powerful conversations with educators and leaders across the country and one thing keeps becoming clear:

1. We need more honest dialogue.
2. More transparency.
3. More spaces to learn together.

So for the month of May, I’m creating one.

Drop your questions in the comments, send a message or email, or follow along as we tackle real issues impacting schools and leadership today.

Let’s have the conversations that matter.
[email protected]

Begins Monday, May 18th.