Podcast
Who decides the future of education? We all do.
Our State of Education is The Skillman Foundation’s monthly show featuring a variety of voices, together forming a new vision for Michigan’s K-12 schools.
Tune in to hear students, parents, teachers, business leaders, policymakers, and more, hashing out the most pressing needs and promising solutions in schools. Our State of Education lets you know what’s happening in education and what you can do to support it.
Our State of Education airs on WJR radio (channel 760 AM) and is available to livestream online at WJR.com. Every episode recording will be available here, on YouTube, and on all podcast platforms.
We want to hear from you!
What questions do you have about Our State of Education? Submit your questions about education in Detroit and Michigan for a chance for your question to be featured on the podcast and answered by our guests.
This month on Our State of Education
We are builders here in Michigan. Yes, autos. Yes, new tech start-ups. Yes, the future of mobility. Yes, award-winning waterfronts; Yes, music and art that have shaped American culture.
But more quietly, maybe more importantly, in this purple state of Michigan, we build bridges between each other, across difference, toward something new.
At The Skillman Foundation, our mission is to nurture the brilliance of youth. We do it by listening to them and the people closest to them, helping them redesign public education so it propels every student toward a brilliant future.
That’s the what. Then there’s the how. By rooting in community and then linking arms with as many people from as many sectors, cities, and walks of life to help make this happen.
On this episode of Our State of Education, hear from Michiganders who are improving the lives of children in collaborative, innovative ways. Hosts Angelique Power of The Skillman Foundation and WJR’s Lloyd Jackson speak with Gary Torgow, Chairman of Huntington Bank; Denise Brooks-Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Henry Ford Health System; Tom Leonard, Partner at Plunkett Cooney and Former Michigan Representative; and Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director of MiLEAP.
All Episodes
Featuring: Senator Darrin Camilleri, President & CEO of Bridgwater Interiors and The Skillman Foundation Board Chair Ron Hall, & Senator Ed McBroom
Featuring: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, & Genesse County Sheriff Chris Swanson
Featuring: Professor john powell, director of the Othering and Belonging Institute
Featuring: Messiah Bethel, senior at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy; Leela Dahabra, junior at International Academy–Oakland; & Grace Geresy, junior at Grosse Pointe South High School
Featuring: CEO of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Lawrence Hood & Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District Dr. Nikolai Vitti
Featuring: former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, President & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy Monique Stanton, & Data, Research, and Communications Organizer for 482Forward Kayla Tate
Featuring: assistant superintendent of family and community engagement of Detroit Public Schools Community District Sharlonda Buckman, president & CEO of Detroit Parent Network Jametta Lilly, and parent perspectives from Angela Khater and Brandon Sylvester
Featuring: Bethany Little, managing principal at EducationCounsel, & Regina Bell, chief policy officer at the Council of Michigan Foundations
Featuring: Lori Higgins, bureau chief at Chalkbeat Detroit, Isabel Lohman, education reporter at Bridge Michigan, and Sascha Raiyn, news reporter at WDET
Featuring: State Senator Sarah Anthony; Venessa Keesler, President & CEO of Launch Michigan; and Craig Thiel, Research Director of Citizens Research Council
Featuring: State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Glenn Maleyko
Featuring: Mayor Mary Sheffield; Dr. Chanel Hampton, Senior Director of Youth and Education & Special Liaison to the Mayor; Jerjuan Howard, Director of Youth Affairs, City of Detroit; Imani Foster, Communications Lead of 482 Forward
Featuring: Director of MiLEAP Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Chief Operating Officer of Henry Ford Health System Denise Brooks-Williams, Chair of Huntington Bank Gary Torgow, and former Michigan Representative and Partner at Plunkett Cooney Tom Leonard