GRPS Uncovered - podcast cover

GRPS Uncovered

Dr. Leanne Kang•podcasters.spotify.com
History
A compelling portrait of an urban school district in the Midwest is uncovered through the oral histories of those who attended or worked in the Grand Rapids Public Schools in Michigan. The digital files and transcripts of these oral histories are held by the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (https://www.graama.org/).
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Episodes

S2:E4 Dennis Miller

In this episode, I interview Dennis Miller, a retired school security officer who, at the age of 19, began his career in GRPS in 1987.

Jul 03, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 1

S2:E3 Quana O'Bryan

In this episode, I interview Quana O’Bryan who graduated from City High Middle School in 2003, a top ranking high school in Michigan. She is a funded futures trader, world traveler, mother, and currently working on a book for her community on living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

Oct 01, 2024•31 min

S2:E2 Patrick O'Neal Luster

In this episode, I interview Patrick O’Neal (a.k.a. Coach P) who attended GRPS from 1970-1987. He's coached and mentored many youth in GRPS and started his own youth program at Martin Luther King Park.

Jul 18, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 2

S2:E1 Mel Atkins

To start off season two, this episode revisits an interview I did with Mel Atkins in 2022 at Schuler Books. In the 1960s, Mel was a part of the Black student protests in Grand Rapids and was featured in Jet Magazine. In 2008, Mel retired from GRPS after 40 years as a teacher, administrator, and athletic director.

Jun 18, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 1

S1:E5 Amanda Anka

In our last episode for season one, I interview Amanda Anka, my Special Projects Research Graduate Assistant, to give her analysis of the podcasts so far.

Mar 29, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5

S1:E4 Kandice Todd

In this fourth episode, I interview Kandice Todd, a homecare assistant for autistic children and mom of 4, who attended GRPS from the late 1980s to 2001. Notably, she went to Park School, an alternative school for pregnant teenage girls and moms and graduated from the Youth Career Development Center (YCDC). Both schools have since been closed.

Feb 03, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 4

S1:E3 Raul Ysasi

In this third episode, I interview Dr. Raul Ysasi, an education professor at Grand Valley State University, who worked mainly with the Latino student population in GRPS from 1977-2010.

Dec 11, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 3

S1:E2 Jerry Bentley

In this second episode, I interview Jerry Bentley who was one of the students forced to bus to South High to Union as part of the city’s racial integration plan in 1968. Jerry was also a teacher, tennis coach, and principal at GRPS from 1975-2010.

Nov 17, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 2

S1:E1 Jermar Sterling

In this inaugural episode, I talk to Jermar Sterling, Youth Director of Community Kids in 2023. He attended GRPS from the early 1990s to early 2000s.

Oct 27, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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