J. Cole’s lyrics in “Middle Child” resonate deeply with me: “To the OGs, I’m thanking you now. I was watching you when you was paving the ground. I copied yo cadence, I mirrored yo style. I studied the greats, I’m the greatest right now.”

We all have those figures who resonate with our deepest values, shape our understanding of the world, and guide our aspirations. In every field, there are pioneers who light the way for future generations, and education is no exception. For me, these beacons of wisdom come not just from the world of music and art but from the realm of education and social justice. Today, I want to share the intellectual greats who have paved the way for me, whose cadence I’ve copied, and whose style I strive to mirror. Each has fundamentally shaped my beliefs about education and liberation. 

Maya Angelou, The Phenomenal Woman Full of Love: Maya Angelou’s spirit overflows with love – for herself, for her community, and for humanity. Her grace, confidence, wisdom, and intelligence transcends with time. Reciting “Phenomenal Woman” as a teenager sparked a connection that led me to read her work, allowing me to learn from her wisdom. Her message of “when you get, give, when you learn, teach, and that will carry you all over the world” guides my own journey as a lifelong learner and educator.

Paulo Freire, the Liberator Through Knowledge: Encountering Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” was a revelation. It taught me that education is a tool for liberation. His concept of the “road to freedom” – paved with knowledge, action, and reflection – became a cornerstone of my educational philosophy and continues to guide my approach to teaching and learning. His vision for transformative classrooms where students and teachers co-create knowledge continues to inspire me.

Gloria Ladson Billings, the Architect of Transformational Teaching: Through her book “Dreamkeepers,” Dr. Ladson Billings provided the language needed to describe transformative, empowering, and revolutionary teaching for marginalized communities, especially black children. Her theory, culturally relevant pedagogy, serves as a blueprint for my teaching philosophy. The three components–critical consciousness, cultural competence, and student learning – empower educators to center the experiences and identities of their students while developing the knowledge and skills needed to transform themselves and their communities. 

Isabel Wilkerson, the Unmasker of the Caste System in America: With her masterpiece “Caste,” Wilkerson exposes how society is structured and how there are made-up rules, rankings, and hierarchies that determine who has and who doesn’t have access and opportunity to basic human rights. Her work sheds light on the historical and present realities of race and caste. She once said, “Ignorance is no protection against the consequences of inaction. Not knowing is not protecting us.” This statement inspires and urges me to confront my ignorance and dismantle oppressive and unjust systems.

These are just a few of the intellectual giants who have shaped my journey. But the list doesn’t end here. Peter McLaren’s critical pedagogy, Zaretta Hammond’s insights on culturally responsive teaching, and Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s call for “shifting from problems to possibilities” all contribute to my evolving understanding of education and liberation.

Now it’s your turn. Who are the intellectual giants who have paved the path for you? Whose cadence do you copy? Whose style do you mirror? How have they shaped your beliefs and values? And most importantly, how are you applying their lessons to create a more just and equitable world? Share your own stories and insights in the comments below. Let’s build a community of learners inspired by the wisdom of those who came before us!

I share more about the scholars I mentioned in this youtube video. Check it out!