Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 1

Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 1

About this Episode In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara to explore a question at the heart of educational leadership: Who Has the Principal's Back? Together, they examine what it means to lead with support, not just accountability, and discuss the critical role system leaders play in developing, encouraging, and sustaining principals. Through honest reflections and real-world experiences, they unpack the importance of trust, mentorship, psychological safety, and authentic relationships in building strong schools and stronger leaders. Whether you're a principal, assistant principal, district leader, or aspiring administrator, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections on the kind of support that helps leaders grow, persevere, and thrive. About Dr. Ariel Lajara Dr. Ariel Lajara serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. With an extensive background as a turnaround principal and educator, he specializes in leveraging data-driven strategies to foster systemic equity and sustainable school improvement. Dr. Lajara is a dedicated advocate for inclusive leadership and frequently delivers keynote addresses and coaching in both English and Spanish to support diverse teams. In 2026, he was selected to lead the Vineland, New Jersey, School District as superintendent. About Dr. Renny Lajara Dr. Renny Lajara is an accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education and currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia. Beginning in July, he will assume the role of Superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a proud product of Philadelphia public schools, Dr. Lajara is widely recognized for his commitment to equity, student success, and building high-performing school communities through authentic, student-centered leadership. About the Podcast Next Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact. Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://mcelleaders.org/podcast] or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

The AP Life: What they don’t tell you, Pt. 2

About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up and The MCEL Podcast, sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real lives of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and the creation of safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding light on the daily challenges, rewards, and the necessity of leading with authenticity and prioritizing self-care. Key Takeaways * Community is the foundation of school culture * Authentic leadership matters * AP's role is both a pipeline and a pressure cooker * Self-care is essential, not optional About Barry Wilkins Barry Wilkins was born and raised in Philadelphia. He has spent nearly two decades in the financial sector, holding leadership roles in investment banking and wealth management. But in 2016, a shift in the national landscape forced a personal reckoning. He realized that the most important work wasn't in a boardroom; it was in our schools. His mission is to position our scholars for limitless success by investing in their social-emotional well-being, championing equity, and challenging them to be the architects of their wildest dreams. This means bridging the gap between economic opportunity and educational equity by leading rigorous, student-centered schools that serve as launchpads rather than holding cells. About Dr. Rodney Harrison Dr. Rodney Harrison is a student-centered educational leader with over seventeen years of experience spanning teaching, counseling, and school administration. Throughout his career, he has focused on elevating instructional practices, strengthening inclusive school cultures, and empowering both students and educators through data-driven decision-making and collaborative leadership. His journey from school counselor to assistant principal across multiple districts reflects his commitment to equity, professional growth, and creating thriving learning environments where every stakeholder feels supported and seen. About the Podcast Next Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact. Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://mcelleaders.org/podcast] or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

Women Making Moves: Leadership, Resilience, and Impact

About this Episode In this Women’s History Month special episode of Next Man Up, Kareem Thomas is joined by Dr. Nadia Bennett and Natalie St. Louis for a powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and leadership. From overcoming barriers to uplifting leaders of color, they share real strategies for impact, mentorship, and sustainability in the work. About Natalie St. Louis Natalie St. Louis is an ICF-PCC Certified Executive Leadership Coach who supports education leaders through 1:1 coaching and professional development. Grounded in the International Coaching Federation Core Competencies and Code of Ethics, she helps leaders clarify their vision, align their values, and set meaningful goals while feeling seen, supported, and heard. With over 20 years in education, including more than a decade as a school leader, Natalie has led significant gains in student achievement and enrollment, earning recognition for driving turnaround success. Her experience spans roles as a teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, staff developer, assistant principal, and principal. A 2018 Neubauer Fellow, Natalie holds two master’s degrees from Bank Street College and Teachers College, Columbia University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a proud wife and mother of two. About Dr. Nadia Bennett Dr. Nadia A. Bennett is the founder and CEO of When Brown Girls Lead®, a consulting firm focused on building equity-driven schools and districts nationwide. Through culturally relevant leadership development, she supports educators in creating anti-racist, high-impact learning environments. A former charter superintendent and principal, Dr. Bennett has a proven track record of driving results, doubling ELA scores, improving attendance and staff retention, and leading school turnaround efforts. Notably, she led Simon Gratz Mastery High School to the top of Philadelphia’s charter rankings during her tenure. Dr. Bennett holds degrees from Dillard University and Howard University, completed the Urban Superintendents Academy through AASA, and earned her doctorate as part of her ongoing commitment to educational excellence. About the Podcast Next Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact. Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://mcelleaders.org/podcast] or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

The AP Life: What they don’t tell you, Pt. 1

About this Episode Kareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up, The MCEL Podcast, sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real life of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and creating safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding light on the daily challenges, rewards, and the necessity of leading with authenticity and prioritizing self-care. Key Takeaways * Community is the foundation of school culture * Authentic leadership matters * AP's role is both a pipeline and a pressure cooker * Self-care is essential, not optional About Barry Wilkins Barry Wilkins was born and raised in Philadelphia. He has spent nearly two decades in the financial sector, holding leadership roles in investment banking and wealth management. But in 2016, a shift in the national landscape forced a personal reckoning. He realized that the most important work wasn't in a boardroom; it was in our schools. His mission is to position our scholars for limitless success by investing in their social-emotional well-being, championing equity, and challenging them to be the architects of their wildest dreams. This means bridging the gap between economic opportunity and educational equity by leading rigorous, student-centered schools that serve as launchpads, not holding cells. About Dr. Rodney Harrison Dr. Rodney Harrison is a student-centered educational leader with over seventeen years of experience spanning teaching, counseling, and school administration. Throughout his career, he has focused on elevating instructional practices, strengthening inclusive school cultures, and empowering both students and educators through data-driven decision-making and collaborative leadership. His journey from school counselor to assistant principal across multiple districts reflects his commitment to equity, professional growth, and creating thriving learning environments where every stakeholder feels supported and seen. About the Podcast Next Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact. Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://mcelleaders.org/podcast] or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

Developing The Next Leader

About this Episode In this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas speaks with guests Ray Pace and Dr. Wardell Hunter about the critical importance of leadership development programs for aspiring school leaders. They explore the frameworks for effective leadership training, the significance of mentoring and coaching, and the need for self-assessment and reflective conversations in preparing future leaders. The conversation also addresses the challenges faced by assistant principals and the importance of adaptability in diverse educational environments. Key Takeaways * Reflective conversations help aspiring leaders understand their motivations. * Self-assessment against leadership standards is essential for growth. * Mentoring provides technical assistance, while coaching focuses on mindset. * Transitioning to new roles can enhance leadership skills. About Raymond Roy-Pace Raymond Roy-Pace is an education leader and strategist with over 15 years of experience advancing instructional excellence, leadership development, and equity-driven school improvement. He currently serves as a Professional Learning Specialist for the School District of Philadelphia, where he leads large-scale leadership development for nearly 300 assistant principals across more than 200 schools. Ray’s career includes roles as a high school principal, assistant principal, adjunct professor, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. A national presenter and published contributor, his work focuses on developing culturally responsive leaders, strengthening leadership pipelines, and improving outcomes for students and educators. About Dr. Wardell Hunter Dr. Wardell Hunter is a seasoned education leader with over 25 years of experience serving schools across the metro-Atlanta area. He previously served as Director of Leadership Development for Atlanta Public Schools, where he supported aspiring principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, and central office teams. Across his career, Dr. Hunter has held roles including principal (interim), assistant principal of instruction, academy leader for business and entrepreneurship, and instructional leader in both Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools. His work centers on leadership development, instructional improvement, and building strong school-community partnerships to support student success. Dr. Hunter holds a doctorate in Educational Administration from Georgia Southern University and is a certified Gallup and John Maxwell Coach. He is deeply committed to developing effective, equity-focused leaders and improving outcomes in urban education. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his three sons and engaging in family activities. About the Podcast Next Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact. Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://mcelleaders.org/podcast] or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.