The final episode of Rooted Dialogues reflects on African-centered rites of passage and their impact on education, emphasizing community, intention, and responsibility. Hosts Victoria Brown and LaVon Gordon, joined by Dr. Lathardus Goggins II, recap key insights, discuss the relevance of their work today, and preview upcoming projects and Season Two.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

Episode 8 of Rooted Dialogues reflects on 25+ years since the publication of African-centered Rites of Passage and Education. Dr. Lathardus Goggins II joins the podcast and discusses lessons learned, the challenges of educational reform, and the need for culturally grounded approaches.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

Episode 7 of Rooted Dialogues examines the implications of African-centered rites of passage in education. Hosts Victoria Brown and LaVon Gordon discuss how education shapes identity, community, and purpose, emphasizing education as a transformative, community-driven process. They highlight the roles of educators, students, families, and scholars, advocating for holistic, culturally-rooted approaches.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

This episode of Rooted Dialogues explores how American education has historically perpetuated myths of Black inferiority, functioning more as a system of control than liberation for African-Americans. The hosts discuss the roots of these narratives, their impact on identity, and how African-centered education and rites of passage offer corrective frameworks for true empowerment and self-definition.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

In this powerful third installment of our deep-dive series on African-centered Rites of Passage and Education, hosts Victoria Brown and LaVon Gordon explore one of the most foundational elements of human development: sense of self. Drawing from the chapter Sense of Self and the Educative Experience , this episode examines how identity, consciousness, culture, and purpose shape the educational journey for African-descended learners.

The co-hosts break down the critical difference between self-esteem and self-consciousness, discuss why academic success without cultural grounding leads to mis-education, and highlight insights from scholars such as Woodson, Du Bois, Akbar, Rogers, and Erikson. Together, they unpack how oppression distorts identity—and how African-centered rites of passage restore clarity, purpose, and communal responsibility.

Episodes 6* (Part 4), 7* (Part 5), and 8* (Part 6) drop December 22.

(*This was mis-identified in the podcast).

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

Episode 4 – “The Work of Becoming”

Dr. Lathardus Goggins II joins the hosts to break down the rites of passage model from his book African-centered Rites of Passage and Education. This episode explores the stages of the rites process, the cultural purpose behind each phase, and why conscious identity development is essential for African-descended communities. Featuring Desmond Tutu’s powerful reminder that neutrality in injustice is complicity, this discussion calls listeners to intentional cultural work and community responsibility.
Learn more at Dr.Goggins2.com and explore the featured book at Afrocentric.info/SaintRest/Rites-and-Education.html.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

Episode 3 of Rooted Dialogues introduces a deep dive into Dr. Lathardus Goggins II’s influential book on African-centered Rites of Passage and Education. Hosts discuss the book’s historical, theoretical, and practical approach to integrating identity, culture, and community in education, emphasizing the importance of culturally rooted learning as a path to developing an authentic self and meaningful education.

Resources:

http://Afrocentric.Info

Saint Rest Publications

https://www.afrocentric.info/SaintRest/Rites-and-Education.html

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.

In this episode of Rooted Dialogues: A Saint Rest Publications Podcast, hosts Victoria Brown and LaVon Gordon explore the principles of African-centered education through Dr. Lathardus Goggins II’s seminal work, Foundations: African-centered Education. Together, they discuss the historical roots of African-centered thought, the sacred role of the teacher, and how education becomes a process of identity development and community transformation. Featuring a Nugget of Wisdom from Kwame Turé, this conversation reminds us that teaching is not just instruction—it’s a moral and cultural responsibility to nurture the soul.

Rooted Dialogues is a production of Saint Rest Publications — Where Community, Culture, and Critical Thought Converge

Visit us at Afrocentric.Info/SaintRest to explore more from Saint Rest Publications.