In this episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artist Wright talks with Janie Segui Rodriguez of Stop the Wait RI and Subira Gordon of the Nashville Charter Collaborative about the power of parent-led and school-led movements in shaping school choice and education. From mobilizing 400 parents during a Rhode Island charter moratorium to uniting school leaders in Nashville, they share bold strategies for building trust, remaining hopeful, breaking down misconceptions, and putting collaboration over competition to expand quality school options for Black and Brown communities.

Education is political—and the stakes have never been higher for Black and Latino communities. In this episode of Choice Words, host J. Artists Wright, CEO of Freedom to Choose Schools (formerly FCCS), is joined by Alisha Thomas Searcy, former Georgia State Representative and founder of the Center for Strong Public Schools, and Dr. Atasha James, co-founder of Legends Charter School in Maryland.

Together, they unpack how school choice debates play out in real life—where party politics, interest groups, and self-preservation often clash with the urgent needs of students and families. From the impact of “the big, beautiful bill” to the hidden political costs for leaders who advocate for educational equity, this conversation goes beyond policy into power, accountability, and the courage it takes to disrupt the status quo.

In this episode of Choice Words, we trace the powerful civil rights legacy behind the school choice movement. From landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education to the present-day fight for equitable education access, we’re asking how school choice became a modern civil rights issue.

Whether you're a parent, policymaker, or advocate, this conversation challenges assumptions and uplifts the voices too often left out of the education debate.

What happens when the school system fails your child—and there’s no clear roadmap for what’s next? In this powerful premiere episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artis Wright sits down with two dynamic disruptors in education: Coy Morrison, founder of the Lab School of Memphis, and Jae Carter, creator of Homeschool Yo Kids.

Together, they unpack the reasons they walked away from traditional schooling, the quiet revolution of Black parents taking back control of their children’s educations, and how school choice is both deeply personal and political.