Choice Words by Freedom to Choose Schools

Called to Build: Dr. Monica Hall and the Thrive Way

What does it look like when obedience becomes a school? In this episode of Choice Words, host J. Artist sits down with Dr. Monica Hall — founder, principal, pastor, Army chaplain, and veteran — the powerhouse behind T.H.R.I.V.E. Christian Academy, a fully accredited K–12 private school she started in 2013 with two students and a banner she could barely afford. Thirteen years later, Thrive has grown to 21 acres, 300+ students — predominantly Black and brown — a 100% graduation rate, 100% college acceptance, and a 93% teacher retention rate. And Dr. Hall gives credit to none of it. In this conversation, Dr. Hall takes us inside the founding moment she didn't see coming, the HBCU experience at Howard that changed everything, and the six-pillar framework — Truth, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Victory, and Excellence — that holds it all together. She gets real about the financial pressures of private school leadership, the challenges of facility acquisition, and why keeping tuition accessible is a values decision, not just a budget one. This episode is for every founder still in the early rows, every parent weighing their options, and every educator who's felt the pull to stay even when the pay doesn't match the calling. Dr. Hall's final message: Make the investment — because if we don't, someone else is already making investments in a different direction.

Know Your Options: What ESAs, the EFTC & School Choice Really Mean for You

The education landscape is shifting fast — and the acronyms are flying. ESAs. EFTCs. SGOs. Vouchers. But what do they actually mean for Black and Brown families who have spent years feeling stuck in systems that weren't built for them? In this episode, host J. Artist sits down with Shaka Mitchell — Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, law professor at Belmont University, and chair of the Tennessee State Advisory on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights — to cut through the noise and break it all down in plain language. They discuss: The real difference between a voucher, an ESA, and the new Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) How the school choice conversation connects to civil rights history — and why some communities are still skeptical What the education landscape could look like in the next 3–5 years Why democracy itself demands that we listen to one another — especially when it comes to our kids Access is not abstract. It's a school. It's a seat at the table. It's an open door.

Choosing Private School for Your Black Child — Be Seen, Be Known, Be There

How do Black parents navigate private school admissions, find the right fit, and make sure their child thrives in a predominantly white institution? In this episode of Choice Words, the Freedom to Choose Schools podcast, host welcomes Mona Smart — entrepreneur, community advocate, and private school mom — to talk about making intentional school choice decisions for Black children. Mona shares her personal experience attending boarding school as a Black girl from Alaska, being tokenized at a predominantly white school, and how those experiences shaped her approach to choosing a private school for her son. She breaks down the questions every Black parent should ask before enrolling, how to build relationships with school administration, and why diversity in the classroom is essential preparation for the real world. Topics covered in this episode: Private school admissions for Black families How to advocate for your Black child in a PWI School choice and Black education Navigating diversity and inclusion in private schools The athletic scholarship myth in private school admissions Black parenting and educational equity Supporting Black students in predominantly white institutions Choice Words is the podcast for Black families exploring school choice — from private school and charter schools to school vouchers and education freedom. 🎧 New episodes twice a month. Follow so you never miss one.

Representation Is Not Optional: Why Our Kids Need to See Themselves

In this powerful episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artis-Wright sits down with Dr. Jon Carroll, founder of Jabali Academy, a new school opening in Inglewood, California, built with community, culture, and identity at its core. Dr. Carroll shares his journey from lifelong educator to school founder—and why he felt called to create a school rooted in opportunity for students who have historically been underserved. Together, they unpack a critical question: What happens when students don’t see themselves reflected in the classroom? From his groundbreaking research on Black male educators to the stark reality that most teachers don’t reflect the communities they serve, this conversation explores why representation isn’t just important—it’s transformative. As discussed, having even just a few teachers who share a student’s background can significantly increase outcomes like college attendance. The episode also dives into: Why culturally connected curriculum drives student success The importance of building schools within communities—not far outside of them How access, transportation, and proximity impact real school choice Why Inglewood is the perfect place for a school like Jabali Academy right now Dr. Carroll’s vision is clear: schools should be more than buildings—they should be anchors for community, identity, and opportunity. This is a conversation about what it really means to create space for our children to thrive—academically, culturally, and authentically. 🎧 Tap in and join the movement to #FightToChoose schools that reflect who our children are—and who they’re becoming.

Homeschooling Our Way: Why More Families of Color Are Choosing Homeschool

In this episode of Choice Words, host Jay Artis-Wright talks with Elan Page, founder of Homeschool Our Way, about why more families of color are exploring homeschooling. What began during the COVID pandemic became a powerful shift in how her family approached learning. Elan shares how homeschooling allowed her children to learn at their own pace, dive deeper into subjects, and explore culturally relevant topics that matter to their family. They also discuss the myths around homeschooling, how working parents can make it work, and why more families are looking at education options beyond the traditional classroom. 🎧 Tune in for a real conversation about homeschooling, school choice, and empowering families to find the best path for their children’s education.