This is more than just a milestone — it’s a movement. Welcome to Episode 50 of the Dope People Podcast — our first-ever LIVE and in-person recording in front of a studio audience! We went big for this one and brought out one of Chicago’s brightest rising stars in film and television: Khalil Everage . Khalil is a proud Chicago native and breakout actor known for his roles in: 🎬 Beats (Netflix) with Anthony Anderson 🥋 Cobra Kai (Netflix) as Chris 🏀 Shooting Stars (Peacock) as Sian Cotton 🎥 The...
May 13, 2025•24 min•Season 6Ep. 50
🎙️ Welcome to the Dope People Podcast, where host Scott Steward sits down with trailblazers and innovators who are making a significant impact. This week, we're thrilled to feature Jamila Sams, the dynamic founder and CEO of We Do It for the Culture™. 🎤 Jamila is a visionary in the world of education, intertwining her passion for hip-hop with her expertise in educational leadership. With over two decades of experience in youth development, nonprofit management, and strategic partnership develo...
Jan 16, 2024•43 min•Season 6Ep. 49
She is #DopePeople 🎙️ Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Dope People Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to feature the remarkable Dr. Balin A. Durr, a board-certified psychiatrist with two decades of experience in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Dive deep into a conversation that bridges the gap between traditional medicine, alternative healing, and spiritual wellness. 🧠 Dr. Durr, with her unique holistic-collaborative approach, has dedicated her career to serving the vulnera...
Jan 03, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 48
He is #DopePeople In this thrilling episode of the Dope People Podcast, we are honored to welcome Mr. Gregory Sain, a luminary in community empowerment and a voice for positive change. Born and raised with a spirit of resilience and advocacy, Mr. Sain has made remarkable strides in various influential roles. As the Director of Community Safety & Relations, he has been a pivotal figure in fostering safer, more connected communities. His journey with the Chicago Urban League as the Director of...
Dec 08, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 47
She is #DopePeople Dr. E'Toyare (Torie) Williams, also known as Dr. Victorieus, was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Paseo Academy High School as a first generation High School graduate. After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Dr. Williams worked as an Educational Consultant with Chicago Public Schools and has continued independently adding her mentorship initiative since then. Dr. Williams too...
Nov 02, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 46
He is Dope People. Omari spent most of his young life thinking that he would become a scientist when he grew up. After all, his favorite person in the world (his mother) was a chemistry teacher and former scientist, so it seemed only right. After a rather unpleasant experience in his first year of college chemistry, he decided to change his major to mechanical engineering but was still only mildly interested in the subject. After some deep reflection, Omari finally discovered that the only thing...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 45
She is #DopePeople Amber Ginsburg is a Chicago-based artist who teaches at the University of Chicago in the Department of Visual Arts. She creates site-generated projects and social sculptures that insert historical scenarios into present-day situations, as well as engages present-day histories to imagine alternative futures. Her background in craft orients her projects toward the continuities and ruptures in material and social histories. She often works with long-term and ongoing collaborators...
Aug 19, 2023•51 min•Season 6Ep. 44
🎙️ Changing the game, one mind at a time 🧠 This week on the Dope People Podcast, we sit down with Chi-Town's billionaire visionary, Pete Kadens 🌟 We talk breaking barriers and redefining success through the power of education 📚 Get ready to be inspired by the man behind Hope Chicago, making a real difference for the youth in the Windy City 💨 Tap in and elevate your mind with this smooth yet powerful episode 🎧 🚀 Tune in to see how Hope Chicago is changing lives & leveling up the future...
Apr 29, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 43
He is #DopePeople 🎙️ Welcome to the Dope People Podcast! 🎧 In this inspiring episode, we're proud to feature the incredible story of Assistant Principal Jacques Edwards, a homegrown hero from the South Side of Chicago. As a proud product of Chicago Public Schools, Mr. Edwards is living proof that education can truly unlock the door to anyone's future. 🌟 Join us as we delve deep into Mr. Edwards' journey in education, spanning nearly a decade. Discover how his unwavering commitment to advocati...
Mar 16, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 42
He is Dope People. Meet Jason Davis, Assistant Principal at Dunne STEM Academy in Chicago. To support Dope People please like, comment, share, and subscribe to Dope People on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiD7tgj9ezb7Xuk7IOFHRBg. You can purchase our merchandise at https://www.scottsteward.com/merch To show love to the Dope People Podcast, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiD7tgj9ezb7Xuk7IOFHRBg . You can also purchase Dope People merch at...
Feb 22, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 41
He is Dope People. Reginald Lomax is the Managing Principle of R. Lomax & Associates DBA Your CFO Consultation where he specializes in financial consultation to urban small to medium-sized businesses and institutions to deliver services and solutions that help build, preserve, and manage wealth. R. Lomax & Associates also assists business owners and companies by creating and presenting specialized financial recommendations to attain their financial goals and business objectives. Reginald...
Feb 10, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 40
He is Dope People! Get ready to meet the mastermind behind "The Dizz Wizz Series" LLC - Mr. Rheon Gibson! This motivational speaker and professional development provider is changing the game for children's social and emotional learning. With his unique approach and creative vision, Mr. Gibson is inspiring the next generation to be their best selves. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from the master. Follow him on Instagram (@The_Dizz_Wizz_Series), Facebook (The Dizz Wizz ...
Feb 03, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 39
She is Dope People. Dr. D-Nice Beaugelin, real name Denise Hunter, MD, is an Adolescent Wellness Specialist and founder and CEO of Wisdomteethinger. She has been a medical doctor for over 20 years. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has completed hours of training towards board certification in Functional Medicine. She’s also been a youth leader for over 30 years and a trained youth motivational speaker. Her training in improv and storytelling helps her presen...
Jan 18, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 38
She is #DopePeople From the east to the west, global and beyond, Polaryss' zone of genius is at the intersection of art, math, science, & tech, taking her to places like Uganda, Benin & Brazil! Polaryss is an educator, Hip Hop artist, and activist whose synergy and passion are unmatched. Born and raised in the Mecca of Hip Hop, The Bronx, New York, Polaryss incorporates her art and life experiences into every aspect of her work. Whether she’s performing on stage or promoting cultural dip...
Dec 31, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 37
He is #DopePeople. Meet Jason Harris a passionate and dedicated special education teacher in the Houston area. With over 10 years of experience in the field educating students in the Houston area, Jason has a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the unique needs of his students. Jason is dedicated to providing each and every one of his students with the individualized support they need to succeed in their education and reach their full potential. In addition to his teaching responsibi...
Dec 11, 2022•30 min•Season 4Ep. 36
He is Dope People. Miles Williams is a revolutionary Principal in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Williams is the Elementary School Principal at Bricolage Academy, an open-enrollment charter school with the mission to advance educational equity by preparing students from diverse backgrounds to be innovators who change the world. A social worker by training, Mr. Williams approaches school leadership through a trauma-informed lens, understanding the importance of seeing and treating the school communi...
Dec 07, 2022•52 min•Season 4Ep. 34
He is Dope People. DANIEL BAUER is an unorthodox RUCKUS MAKER who has mentored thousands of school leaders. The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is the CATEGORY KING of educational leadership shows and is in the TOP 0.5% of most downloaded podcasts compared to over 2 million global podcasts. His latest book, Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader is a book that reimagines what professional development for school administrators looks like in order to meet the needs of all sc...
Nov 24, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 34
He is Dope People. As a Chicago Public School teacher, Mr. Bryan Pope, is a true representation of a credible and crucial life’s work rather than just music projects. His music is a real and raw expression of self-love. Mr. Pope aims to use the power of music to combat and fight life’s negative influences and challenges. You can find Mr. Pope on FB and IG as @MrPopeMusic. Be sure to check him out! Support the show To show love to the Dope People Podcast, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube at ...
Nov 19, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 33
She is #DopePeople. Toya Carter better known as Ms. Carter has lived in East Harlem for over 40 years. She is a former NYC public school teacher with a Master’s Degree in education as well as a license in early childhood and elementary grades. With over 20 years of teaching in the Department of Education, she recognized the deficiencies of preschool students entering Pre-K. This prompted her to found Carter’s Day Care, the bridge between the community and families serving as a liaison; providing...
Nov 11, 2022•56 min•Season 3Ep. 10
She is Dope People. Principal Aneesha Jacko is an authentic, bold and compassionate leader with over 22 years of instructional, coaching, operational, planning, administrative and financial management experiences in a large urban school district. Receiving her undergraduate degree from Hampton University in Hampton Virginia, she then matriculated to Touro College and received a master’s degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. She also earned degrees from Long Island University...
Oct 24, 2022•46 min•Season 3Ep. 9
She is Dope People. Sandra Arreguín is a passionate educator with over 18 years of teaching and leadership experience. She started her career as a French and Spanish high school teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Her educational leadership roles include world languages chair, high school bilingual/ESL/world languages specialist, high school assistant principal, and middle school principal. Sandra currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Niles Townshi...
Oct 18, 2022•41 min•Season 8Ep. 7
He is Dope People. Avinash Bansal is co-founder and Chief Product Officer at TomoClub.org: Educational Gaming Platform for kids (9-14 yrs age) in the US to learn 21st-century durable skills via social games and simulations . TomoClub forms networks of curious kids , who make friends through games played in live sync sessions. I am an XPrize Winner, Research Scholar from UIUC, and an Electronic Engineer from Delhi Technical University (DTU). To learn more, visit TomoClub.org. Follow Avi on Twitte...
Oct 06, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 7
She is Dope People. T'Nesia (TJ) Hurley, MA Chief Business Officer- Assistant Superintendent of Business Redding-Red Bluff Area TJ was born in Berkeley, CA, and raised in Oakland California. She attended public schools for her entire K-12 experience. TJ attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree and the University of San Francisco for her Masters's Degree. TJ is currently in a doctoral program for educational leadership at Fresno State. TJ has been a teacher, principal, and Director. TJ c...
Sep 15, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 6
He is Dope People. Diony Marte is the founder and CEO of Daddy & Daughter Crew, NYC. Diony tells his story of how DDC came to be, his experiences in middle and high school, his hopes for our nation's educational system, and his aspirations for fathers. To learn more about Diony and how to support his movement, visit him on Instagram @dionymarte_ddc and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKbcgzC05fZrJF_hug1Dhg. Support Dope People Podcast by going to scottsteward.com/merch Kids c...
Sep 09, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 5
She id Dope People. Mrs. Jamilah A. Hud-Kirk is currently serving her 15th year as an elementary school principal at Fountain Elementary in Forest Park, Georgia. As an accomplished teacher, principal, speaker, and now author, she also has over 25 years of experience in urban and rural education as a teacher, School Improvement Specialist, Assistant Principal, and Principal at the elementary, middle, and district levels, in Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Ed...
Aug 24, 2022•50 min•Season 3Ep. 4
She is Dope People. Ms. Samantha Pugh, AKA Power, is a proud native New Yorker who has dedicated her life to education and believes wholeheartedly that All students should have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college and beyond. As a first-generation college graduate, she believes that by creating an environment where children are supported emotionally, challenged academically, and empowered socially every child can succeed beyond their dreams. Her commitment to educati...
Aug 17, 2022•48 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Dr. Asheena Baez Sustainability Culturalist. Healer of Humanity who speaks what she seeks until she sees what she said. Dr. Asheena Baez is an internationally renowned Mindful leadership Coach, Curriculum Developer, and Educational Consultant. Dr. Asheena Baez is the Chief Executive Officer of Asheena Baez Consulting LLC. An adjunct Professor at Columbia University, Russell Sage Doctoral Program Organizational Cultural Strategist, and Complex Systems Leadership and Wellbeing Consultant for the N...
Aug 09, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Ms. Raisa Turner - Assistant Principal of Culture & Climate at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy. Ms. Raisa Turner is a Brooklyn native. Raisa graduated from Adelphi University with a Bachelor's in Math and Masters's in Secondary Education. Raisa started her teaching career in 2013 teaching Kindergarten at Success Academy Charter School in Fort Greene as well as 1st & 2nd grade. She moved to a high school setting at New Visions Charter High School, where she has taught Algebra 1 for 6 years. Ms...
Aug 05, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 1
He is Dope People. Tom Boasberg is the Superintendent of the 4,000-student Singapore American School (SAS), starting July 2019. SAS is one of the world’s largest, most diverse, and academically innovative international schools. Prior to joining SAS, Tom taught educational leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Tom also served for 10 years as superintendent of the 94,000-student Denver Public Schools (DPS), stepping down in October 2018. To support Dope People, visit https://scot...
Aug 02, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 11
We had to bring her back - Dr. Crystal Porter Dr. Crystal E. Porter, Ph.D. is a hair scientist and owner of Mane Insights, Inc, a company that conducts research to further understand the specific needs of the hair and scalp. As a recognized contributor in the world of hair science, she also provides knowledge about hair to individuals, professionals, and industry leaders. She is passionate about debunking myths and empowering others to properly care for their hair. Her patented process uses scie...
Jul 29, 2022•56 min•Season 2Ep. 10
