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The Integrated Schools Podcast

The Integrated Schools Podcast

Written by: Andrew Lefkowits Val Brown Courtney Mykytyn
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Hosts, Andrew, a White dad from Denver, and, Val, a Black mom from North Carolina, dig into topics about race, parenting, and school segregation. With a variety of guests ranging from parents to experts, these conversations strive to live in the nuance of a complicated topic.

©2018-2026 IntegratedSchools Parenting Relationships Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • Carrying the Torch: The Legacy of Thurgood Marshall from His Granddaughter's Perspective

    Carrying the Torch: The Legacy of Thurgood Marshall from His Granddaughter's Perspective
    May 17 2026
    On the 72nd anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Andrew and Dr. Val sit down with Cecilia Marshall — granddaughter of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and founder of the newly launched Thurgood Marshall Foundation. Together, they reflect on what it means to carry forward a legacy rooted not in individual heroism, but in collective courage, sacrifice, and community responsibility.Ms. Marshall shares intimate stories of knowing Thurgood Marshall simply as “Grandpa,” and how, only later in life, she came to understand the magnitude of his work and the sacrifices made by the families behind Brown v. Board. The conversation explores the importance of telling these histories honestly — especially to children — and why public schools remain one of our most important democratic institutions.From the bravery of the 200+ plaintiffs across the five Brown cases, to present-day debates around diversity, public education, and belonging, this episode asks what it means to build bridges in a deeply polarized moment — and what responsibilities we each carry in shaping a more just future for all children.In honor of the 72nd anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Integrated Schools is launching the 1954 Campaign.We are asking you to give:$19.54$195.40$1,954or any amount meaningful to youHalf of the proceeds will support the Thurgood Marshall Foundation and its work preserving and sharing this history with future generations.LINKS:The Thurgood Marshall FoundationIntegrated Schools 1954 Campaign - Please donate today!Justice Marshall's Liberty Medal Acceptance SpeechRecovering Untold Stories: An Enduring Legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education DecisionBecoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect - PBS Documentary about Thurgood MarshallBrown v Board @ Sixty Five: The Stories We Tell Ourselves (our 5 part series on the Brown decision)Ep 18 – Rucker Johnson and the Grandchildren of Desegregation (BvB@65)Ep 19 – Segrenomics, Black Teachers, and Noliwe Rooks (BvB@65)Ep20 – Amanda Lewis on Desegregation Without Integration (BvB@65Ep 21 – Beyond Black and White with David Hinojosa (BvB@65)Ep 22 – I Hope They Hear It In Our Voices (BvB@65)S7E3 – Generational Work: Stefan Lallinger on IntegrationNAACP Legal Defense FundSend us a voice memo: speakpipe.com/integratedschoolsCheck out our Bookshop.org storefront to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us.Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes.Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – IntegratedSchools on Facebook, @integratedschools on Instagram and TikTok, or email us podcast@integratedschools.org.The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.dThis episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.Music by Kevin Casey. The Brown v Board PlaintiffsThe bundle of five cases commonly referred to as Brown v. Board actually contained more than 200 plaintiffs. Below are their names and their associated cases.Belton v. Gebhart (Bulah v. Gebhart)Delaware State Court, Wilmington, DelawareEthel BeltonSarah BulahJoseph CrumplerJohn W. DavisEmma FountainBarbara Byrd HenryCharles HillLois May JohnsonMary JohnsonWillie RobinsonJohn ShortHarlan TrotterBolling v. SharpeU.S. District Court, Washington, D.C.Mrs. Sarah BollingSpottswood Thomas BollingWanamaker Von BollingWilliam BriscoeSarah Louise BriscoeJames C. JenningsAdrienne JenningsBarbara JenningsConsolidated Parent Group, Inc.Briggs et al v. Elliott et al.U.S. District Court, Eastern Division, Charleston, South CarolinaJames BennettOnetha BennettHarry BriggsRobert GeorgiaAnnie GibsonGilbert H. HenrySusan LawsonFrederick OliverMary OliverMose OliverBennie ParsonEdward RaginHazel RaginWilliam RaginLee RichardsonLucrisher RichardsonRebecca RichburgHenry ScottWilliam StukesGabriel TindalDavis v. County School Board of Prince Edward CountyU.S. District Court, Richmond, VirginiaHal Edward Allen (father)Hal Verner Allen (son)Margaret G. Allen (grandmother)James Henry C. Allen (grandson)Margaret G. Allen (mother)Herman Alexander Allen (son)Florence Gertrude Allen (daughter)Thomas H. Allen (father)Herman Wesley Allen (son)Thelma Leola Allen (daughter)Ellen Banks (guardian)John Banks, Jr. (guardee)Frankie Louise BerkeleyEddie Bigger (father)Virginia Bigger (daughter)Katie H. BiggerLeonard R. Bland (father)Floyd M. Bland (son)Reginald W. Bland (son)Clara S. Booker (mother)Blanche A. Booker (daughter)Ronald O.F. Booker (son)Joseph E. Booker (father)Loretta Booker (daughter)Carrie Brown James Brown (father)Phillip J. Brown (son)Nelson Carey (father)Mary Lizzie Carey (daughter)Anna Bell Carey (daughter)John DavisRosa Bell DavisIsaiah Dennis (father)Adline Dennis (...
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    55 mins
  • REVISIT: Calling In with Loretta Ross

    REVISIT: Calling In with Loretta Ross
    May 6 2026

    We're revisiting our conversation with Dr. Loretta Ross because her book, Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel, is the Integrated Schools book club pick for this month. You can register for one of our amazing, free book club sessions here.

    We’re joined by MacArthur “Genius” and legendary activist Dr. Loretta Ross for a conversation that left us grounded, challenged, and deeply moved. From her early work in reproductive justice and anti-violence movements, to her current mission disrupting “call-out culture,” Dr. Ross offers us a path forward rooted in grace, accountability, and radical love.

    We explore what it means to “call in” rather than call out—especially in an era where public shaming feels ever-present and social media rewards outrage. Dr. Ross shares her personal story of trauma, healing, and transformation, and helps us understand how real change happens not through perfection or purity, but through connection and curiosity.

    Together we unpack the power of holding ourselves and others accountable without dehumanizing. We talk parenting, public schools, and what it means to stay in the struggle without breaking our link in the “chain of freedom.”

    Whether you’re navigating tricky conversations in your school community or trying to show up better in the fight for justice, this episode is for you.

    LINKS:
    • Register for book club!
    • Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel – Dr. Ross’s new book
    • What If Instead of Calling People Out, We Called Them In? – NY Times Article about Dr. Ross’s work
    • What Is A Good Parent? Blog post by NY Chapter member, Meredith Winfrey
    • Mothers of Massive Resistance: White Women and the Politics of White Supremacy – Dr. Elizabeth McRae
    • Ep 11 – White Women and the Politics of White Supremacy – Dr. McRae’s 1st time on our show
    • S5E14 – White Supremacy and Black Educational Excellence – Dr. McRae’s 2nd time on our show

    Send us a voice memo: speakpipe.com/integratedschools

    Check out our Bookshop.org storefront to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us.

    Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video versions of our episodes.

    Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – IntegratedSchools on Facebook, @integratedschools on Instagram and TikTok, or email us podcast@integratedschools.org.

    The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.d

    This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.

    Music by Kevin Casey.



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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • REVISIT: Finding Hope in Solidarity with Heather McGhee

    REVISIT: Finding Hope in Solidarity with Heather McGhee
    Apr 22 2026

    We’re going back to the archives today to revisit a conversation with Heather McGhee. In February of 2021, Heather McGhee’s book, The Sum of Us came out. With a focus on the ways in which racism harms everyone, and the potential good that can come from cross-racial coalitions, the book was exciting to us. When we realized that Integrated Schools was featured prominently in the chapter about education, we were blown away.

    The book is based around three main concepts. The first is the “zero-sum lie of racial hierarchy”, or the idea that progress for people of color necessarily has to come at White folks’ expense. The second is the idea of the “drained pool,” the disinvestment by White people in public goods simply because they have to share them with people of color. And finally, the “solidarity dividend,” the idea of gains that we can unlock, but only when we come together across lines of difference.

    This last idea, the most hopeful, inspired Ms. McGhee to go back on the road and make a podcast documenting examples of the Solidarity Dividend in action. She joins us to discuss the podcast, what it means to be a good ally, the power of relationships in sustaining movements, and what role the Integrated Schools community should play in participating in the current, cross-racial movement for public education.

    LINKS

    • Ms. McGhee’s first appearance on our show
    • The Sum of Us Podcast
    • The Sum of Us Book
    • James Haslem from HEAL Together
    • Ms. McGhee and Victor Ray’s Op-Ed in the NYT
    • California Calls – organizing in California
    • Ms. McGhee’s mother – Dr. Gail Christopher
    • Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation

    ACTION STEPS

    • Listen to The Sum of Us Podcast
    • Read The Sum of Us Book
    • Get involved locally – find organizations that align with your values, and just show up!
    • Take opportunities to share space with folks – school pick up/ drop off is a great place to start
    • Share stories off cross racial solidarity with others. Stories from The Sum of Us, from our podcast, or from your own life.

    Use these links or start at our Bookshop.org storefront to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us.

    Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.

    Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – @integratedschls on twitter, IntegratedSchools on Facebook, or email us podcast@integratedschools.org.

    The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.

    This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.

    Music by Kevin Casey.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    1 hr and 1 min
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