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.




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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
Free bus rides for students. Over $1M for afterschool programs. City events planned by teens. These are some of the headlines coming out of Detroit.
In this episode of Our State of Education we talk with Detroit’s new mayor, Mary Sheffield; Department of Youth and Education appointees, Dr. Chanel Hampton and Jerjuan Howard; and community organizer, Imani Foster, about the city’s groundbreaking plans to make Detroit a place of opportunity for young people.
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