The Last Will Be First

Cannabis: A Journey Into Social Acceptance

How does a plant once demonized as a “gateway drug” during Reagan’s War on Drugs now symbolize a gateway to prosperity for some—but not all? What does it mean to move from last to first in an industry that profited from the suffering of marginalized communities?

How the Economy Led to Trump Presidency Through Millennial Perspective

In a country where small businesses form the backbone of the economy, many of these owners attach their hopes on presidential candidates who promise transformative change. For some, Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric about tax cuts, deregulation, and “bringing back American jobs” struck a chord. His promises of a business-friendly environment gave many small business owners hope that his presidency would address the systemic challenges they face—from high taxes and limited access to capital to the rising costs of goods and labor.

Parents Roundtable: Florida's Changing State of Black Education

In our latest back-to-school episode, we bring together parents and educators - Marion 'Nick' Chisholm, Derby Johnson, and Terry Harper-Boatman - for a roundtable discussion on Florida's public schools, Black history, and the impact of Governor DeSantis's actions. We shed light on the issue dominating national headlines: the removal of Black history in Florida's public schools, and reveal that this concern predates recent events. Parents share personal stories reflecting their assumption that their children's education mirrored their own experiences. They discuss the evolving approach to raising kids and the diminishing role of community support.  We also explore the growing popularity of school choice among Black families in Florida.  Follow The Last Will Be First on social media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelwbf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLWBF/ — Executive Producer: Alexis Cummings Story Editor: Brittany Jones Host / Producers: Brittany Jones  Kavontae Smalls — Have a story idea? Send it to alexis@thelastwillbefirst.net

Fostering Black Excellence: The Value of High Expectations

In this second episode of our back-to-school series focusing on black education in Florida, we dive into perspectives from Cherie Robinson, a third-grade teacher in Jacksonville, and former administrator Virkeisha Palmer from Pensacola. The episode underscores the value of high expectations and the role of parents, teachers and administrators in maintaining unwavering expectations as Black students' transition to higher grades. In a two part discussion we address the importance of viewing Black students' challenges as separate from their intelligence.  Cherie Robinson stresses a well-rounded approach, advocating for attention to every aspect of a child. Virkeisha Palmer highlights how schools often fail to uphold high expectations for black students and emphasizes the importance of intentionally placing students based on potential.  Follow The Last Will Be First on social media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelwbf/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelwbf/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLWBF/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheLWBF/] — Executive Producer: Alexis Cummings Story Editor: Brittany Jones Host / Producers: Brittany Jones  Kavontae Smalls — Have a story idea? Send it to alexis@thelastwillbefirst.net [alexis@thelastwillbefirst.net]

Double Jeopardy: Students Caught Between Two Systems

In this episode, we kickstart our "Back to School" series, focusing on the current state of education for Black students in Florida's K-12 public school system. Our conversation with Amber Roberts sheds light on the experiences of working in the alternative education environment, where some students face what she considers "double jeopardy." Caught between the criminal justice system and the education system, these students lack the necessary resources and guidance to navigate their educational journey, often leaving them stranded on the threshold of progress. Unfortunately, this vulnerable student population is frequently overlooked and sidelined when discussing educational development. However, Amber emphasizes the critical importance of not only empathizing with these students but also advocating for them. Join us in this three-part series as we delve deeper into understanding the crucial role we all must play in supporting our students and dismantling the barriers that impede their growth. Follow The Last Will Be First on social media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelwbf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLWBF/ — Executive Producer: Alexis Cummings Story Editor: Brittany Jones Hosts / Producers: Brittany Jones Kavontae Smalls — Have a story idea? Send it to alexis@thelastwillbefirst.net