What if unlocking educational excellence meant embracing both our past traumas and the resilience we’ve built through them? In this compelling episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner welcomes Dr. Paul Miller, an influential educator and author, as part of our Black Excellence series during Black History Month. With a visionary approach that bridges the past and future of learning, Dr. Miller's leadership and literary works challenge conventional narratives and inspire transformative change.

Dr. Miller is currently the Chief Academic Officer at Exceptional, overseeing 27 (soon to be 29) charter schools in Rochester, New York. His dedication to educational equity, especially for Black and brown students, is reflected in his best-selling books and his mission-driven approach to school leadership. But it’s the personal stories, as much as the professional insights, that make his voice such a crucial addition to modern educational discourse.

This episode dives into the heart of systems transformation, using Dr. Miller’s books, such as From Gutter to Greatness and The Good Me and the Hood Me, as lenses for understanding how authentic leadership and self-awareness can redefine educational outcomes. Dr. Miller unpacks the necessity of addressing personal and professional wounds to foster school environments where every student can thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Embracing Vulnerability: Understand how acknowledging personal struggles can lead to authentic and effective leadership.
2. Transforming Mindsets: Explore strategies for collective teacher efficacy to create meaningful change in student outcomes.
3. Redefining Resilience: Learn how the dualities within students, such as 'the good me and the hood me,' can be strengths rather than deficiencies.
4. Systemic Change through Storytelling: Discover how storytelling and lived experiences can inform educational practices and policies.
5. The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership: See how connecting personal pain to a larger purpose can drive educational excellence.

This conversation is not just about reforming schools, it’s about reshaping the cultural narratives that drive educational systems. Dr. Miller’s insights beckon us to reimagine the future of education with a renewed commitment to authenticity, empathy, and courage.

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How do we build the future of learning with—and not against—the forces of innovation transforming society?

In this visionary episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Mike Yates—education disruptor, creative strategist, and a national leader shaping the future of teaching through AI and learner-centered design. From leading AI innovation at Teach For America's Reinvention Lab to helping launch Alpha, one of the most talked-about school models in the country, Mike brings a rare combination of tech fluency, classroom insight, and a relentless push for equity-driven excellence.

Grounding the conversation in what students truly need—schools they love, learning that matters, and life-readiness that empowers—Mike shares raw truths and bold strategies for unlocking student potential through agency, design, and affirmation. He also offers a candid look into his personal why: a student who once hated school but now champions joyful, rigorous, and radically different models of learning.

Together, Dr. Conner and Mike explore how AI must be used not as a substitute for teachers, but as a tool to unleash their genius—and how reengineering teacher preparation, redefining mastery, and resisting fossilized systems are no longer optional if we want all students to thrive.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Bold Reimagination: How Alpha Schools deliver world-class outcomes in just two hours a day—and the deeper design thinking behind their success
2. AI for Equity: Teach For America’s radical redefinition of teacher training to prepare future-ready educators with powerful AI tools
3. Unlearning as Leadership: How dismantling traditional pedagogies opens space for excellence, authenticity, and cultural alignment in classrooms
4. Design Over Directives: Why the designers of tomorrow—not just instructors—will define the future of learning
5. Power of the Pivot: Why students need real-world, high-stakes learning models—and how systems can start small but think big
6. Tech as Amplifier: How generative and agentic AI can elevate human connection, not replace it—if leveraged with empathy and precision

Mike’s work reminds us: the systems we build today decide who gets to lead tomorrow. This episode is a must-listen for education leaders ready to rise to the moment and build a future where every learner thrives. Through frameworks, lived experience, and actionable design strategies, this conversation advances Dr. Conner’s mission to architect equitable, innovative, and high-performing ecosystems for all.

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What does it really take to redesign education systems for a future that demands equity, human-centered innovation, and world-class learning outcomes?

In this riveting Black Excellence Series episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with visionary systems leader Dr. Tauheedah Baker-Jones—a powerhouse in transformational education reform whose work bridges research, policy, and practice. As the Southeast Regional Director of the National Center on Education and the Economy and co-founder of the Trinity Strategy Group, Dr. Baker-Jones brings a rare lens: one grounded in faith, justice, and rigorous, evidence-based systems change.

From her early days as a classroom teacher in Los Angeles to her groundbreaking role as the first Chief Equity and Social Justice Officer for Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Baker-Jones has championed coherent, high-impact leadership in some of education’s most complex contexts. Her doctoral research at Harvard explored the execution of controversial change efforts in polarized environments—and she didn’t stop at the theory. She applied these frameworks in real time, helping to move the needle on outcomes for thousands of students in Atlanta, even amid unprecedented adversity.

You’ll hear her powerful philosophy: "Design for outcomes, not intentions," and discover her signature Amplify Impact framework—a discipline-driven, change management model shaped by moral clarity, systems architecture, and the deep belief that every child must thrive, not by accident but by design.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Bold Frameworks for Equity-Centered Change: Why coherence, not isolated initiatives, must guide system redesign
2. Systemic Excellence vs. Good Intentions: How to shift from performative cycles to clear execution aligned to outcomes
3. Why Equity Is an Engineering Principle: A pragmatic and visionary reframe of equity as intentional design for universal excellence
4. Leading Through Controversy with Moral Clarity: What it means to be courageous when your leadership becomes a political target
5. Long-Life Learning & 22nd-Century Readiness: How forward-thinking systems must evolve for a globally connected, AI-enabled future
6. The Critical Triad for Transformation: Change management, systems design, and disciplined execution

Drawing from both global research at NCEE and real-world systems leadership, Dr. Baker-Jones leaves us with a human truth: the future of learning must be intentionally designed to elevate every learner—and that requires moral leadership, courage, and coherence at every level.

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What does it take to lead with clarity, compassion, and courage through the stormy waters of educational transformation?

In this inspiring episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner welcomes Dr. Lloyd Jackson, Superintendent of the Texarkana Arkansas School District and a proud alumnus of the very community he now leads. Known for his signature calm and purposeful leadership, Dr. Jackson joins the Black Excellence Series to share the deeply human work of transforming systems, with his trademark humility, clarity of vision, and unwavering belief that “a change is gonna come.”

Dr. Jackson walks us through the intentional steps he’s taken to evolve his district from a collection of schools into a coherent, student-centered system. With laser focus on three districtwide priorities, literacy, behavior, and chronic absenteeism, he shares how collective action, data-informed leadership, and outcome-driven partnerships can create conditions where every student thrives. From restructuring assessment practices to leveraging AI as a force multiplier, Dr. Jackson models what it means to be a lead learner committed to the future of education.

What you’ll learn:

1. Bold simplicity: How three focused priorities, literacy, attendance, behavior, transformed culture, coherence, and performance.
2. Data as a conversation: How moving from data compliance to data literacy empowers teachers and drives change.
3. Mission-aligned partnerships: The why and how of building community alliances that deliver real outcomes for students.
4. AI with purpose: How artificial intelligence is being ethically integrated to reduce workload, increase instructional quality, and drive innovation.
5. Student-centered systems: Why human relationships must remain at the center of tech-enabled education.
6. Vision for 2080: How today’s kindergarteners will retire mid-century, and what we must do now to prepare them for that world.

Dr. Jackson’s leadership isn’t only about strategy, it’s about soul. From community-rooted reforms to outcome-based contracts and personalized learning systems, his vision challenges all of us to lead with dignity, data, and deep purpose.

This episode is a masterclass in how to build the systems our future demands, boldly, equitably, and with excellence.

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What does it take to lead a district through transformation while honoring the lived realities of students, educators, and community members? In this powerful episode of Voices for Excellence — part of our fourth annual Black Excellence series — Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. Simone Griffin, Superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools in Michigan. Together, they explore the deep work of instructional leadership, community-centered change, and building the future of education in real time.

Dr. Griffin brings a grounded, empathetic, and courageous approach to leadership informed by her journey from day-to-day substitute teacher to superintendent. She shares the bold ways she’s centering student voice, operationalizing equity through co-created curriculum committees, and addressing teacher burnout with wellness frameworks that treat educators as the human capital driving system-wide excellence.

With characteristic vision and vulnerability, Dr. Conner and Dr. Griffin dive into what it means to prepare learners — and leaders — for a 22nd-century economy marked by volatility, complexity, and exponential change. From cultivating collective efficacy to embracing AI as a tool for innovation (not a threat), this conversation is a vivid blueprint for transformation rooted in grace, intellectual rigor, and community.

What you’ll learn:

1. Bold leadership means leading with empathy — not ego.
2. Data doesn’t drive change — people do. Build relational trust first.
3. AI is here. Educators must lean into discomfort to prepare students for the future.
4. Co-design with stakeholders creates systems that serve, not sort.
5. Stability during volatility requires vision, transparency, and adaptive strategy.
6. Equity, innovation, and courage aren’t add-ons — they are the work.

Through the lens of Dr. Conner’s 22nd Century Education Model, Dr. Griffin shows what’s possible when superintendents prioritize modeling, feedback, and shared mental models to drive transformation from the classroom to the boardroom.

This episode is a masterclass in systems leadership that redefines both what excellence means and who gets to achieve it. Dr. Conner continues his mission to build equitable, innovative, and high-performing education ecosystems where every learner can thrive in the future they will inherit.

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What does it take to build a legacy that lifts others as it rises? In this powerhouse episode of the Black Excellence Series, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Dr. David Heiber—renowned educator, visionary entrepreneur, and founder of Concentric Educational Solutions—for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, systems disruption, and unshakable commitment to our youth.

With raw honesty and unmatched insight, Dr. Heiber traces his path from humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar enterprise grounded in one core principle: meet students where they are—literally. From knocking on over 75,000 doors during the pandemic to reconnect students with school systems, to constructing a scalable model of student-centered engagement rooted in research and community trust, Dr. Heiber reveals the deeply human and deeply strategic layers of his journey.

Now stepping into a new chapter with Redemption Social Solutions, Heiber expands his mission to empower the next generation of Black leaders and business-builders—launching the Black Educational Business Alliance (BEBA), a bold framework for funding, mentoring, and sustaining Black-owned education ventures.

This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a blueprint for equitable systems transformation through authenticity, sacrifice, and relentless devotion to student success.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Bold Leadership Begins Within: Why self-knowledge, vulnerability, and authenticity are the roots of true empowerment.
2. From Theory to Impact: How Dr. Heiber built a scalable model aligned to his "Centricity" framework and Afrocentric theory of change.
3. Startup Real Talk: The unfiltered truths about venture capital, profit margins, and learning to speak the language of business as a Black founder.
4. One Door at a Time: How face-to-face engagement is still one of the most powerful levers for fighting chronic absenteeism and building trust.
5. Black Excellence as Collective Power: Why BEBA (Black Educational Business Alliance) is reimagining venture funding for Black-led education companies.
6. The Grind is Real: Sneak preview into Dr. Heiber’s upcoming book and 10 essential principles for building a thriving Black business in education.

Dr. Heiber challenges us to sacrifice for the collective, to create space for grace, and to build enduring structures that outlive us—all while staying hungry for justice and excellence. This is a call to build, collaborate, and lead differently.

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What does it take to lead through the shift when everything in education is evolving at once, and the pressure to deliver excellence for all students only intensifies?

In this powerful instalment of the Black Excellence Series on Voices for Excellence, host Dr. Michael Conner is joined by transformational leader and 2022 NABSE National Principal of the Year, Brian K. Roberson II. A leadership coach, executive director of Educational LeaderShift Advisors, adjunct professor, and vice president of the Alvin ISD school board in Texas, Roberson brings a rare dual-lens perspective, as both a practitioner and policymaker, on how we transform systems from within.

This episode is a masterclass in systems leadership, mentorship, and courage. Roberson unpacks the difference between leadership and “leader shift,” reminding us that real transformation happens when we confront the status quo and reimagine learning experiences to reflect the diverse, brilliant humanity of every student.

He shares his journey from special education student to award winning principal, revealing how his personal experiences drive his deep commitment to relevance, representation, and rigor across education. Whether challenging outdated governance models or mentoring the next generation of Black male leaders, Roberson’s work is as intellectually bold as it is profoundly human.

You’ll learn:

1. The power of ‘leader shift’. What it means to lead through disruption, not in spite of it
2. How to design systems for impact, not just compliance or tradition
3. Why representation matters and how districts can diversify the leadership pipeline intentionally
4. How relevance fuels rigor through culturally connected pedagogy and student-centered design
5. Governance reimagine. Focusing on outcomes, not politics
6. AI with equity at the centre. How to close, not widen, opportunity gaps in the age of automation

At a time when public education sits at the crossroads of politics, policy, and possibility, this episode challenges us to stay rooted in who we’re here for, and to lead with the clarity, courage, and conviction our students deserve.

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How do we move beyond the limits of a single test score to truly see the brilliance and potential of every child? In this riveting episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner is joined by two extraordinary education leaders who bring over six decades of combined insight to answer that very question.

Dr. Mark King, Vice President of Education at Arts for Learning Maryland and author of The Middle School Master, joins Melinda Cook, Head of Assessment Strategies at Riverside Insights, to reimagine what it means to educate and evaluate the whole learner. With a fierce devotion to equity, they dismantle outdated models that narrowly define success, instead championing structures that are developmentally responsive, cognitively rich, and rooted in relationships.

From rethinking the master schedule to unlock deeper learning, to providing teachers with purpose-driven professional development, to using multiple measures of data that recognize each student's unique capacity—Dr. King and Ms. Cook offer a framework for systemic transformation. Their stories and strategies illuminate what’s possible when schools value students not just for their output but for their complexity, strengths, and promise.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why arts integration, engagement, and differentiation are essential to middle school success
2. How multiple measures of data reveal student potential—not just proficiency
3. Why professional development must evolve to align with Generation Alpha & Beta learners
4. How shifting from a deficit lens to an asset-based mindset changes lives
5. Why erroneous placement in special education is an equity issue—and what to do about it
6. How accountability should be redefined as growth-centered and relational, not punitive

Dr. Conner, as ever, guides the discussion with both urgency and humanity, highlighting how leaders must build agile, high-performing systems that honor students’ lived experiences, cultural assets, and future readiness. This episode is a call to see students as whole—as gifted, as creative, and as capable of extraordinary success.

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