The Relentless Commitment to Equity: Striving to Maintain DEIB

Live from LitLink 2026 (Part 1 of 2)

This episode of the Literacy and Justice for All podcast was recorded live at LitLink 2026: Georgia’s premier K–5 literacy conference focused on structured literacy and the science of reading. Throughout the conference, Dr. Ryan Lee-James spoke with education leaders and literacy advocates about innovative approaches to student learning and teacher support.   Guests include Rebecca Pogue Fields of the Alliance Theatre, who discusses how arts integration and storytelling strengthen literacy and engagement; Dr. Brennan Chandler of Georgia State University, who shares research-based insights on dyslexia, adolescent literacy, and effective instructional practices; and Rollins Center facilitators Stephanie Payne and Korrye Gaskins, who explore the critical role of diagnostic assessment in driving literacy success. Together, these conversations highlight the power of collaboration, evidence-based instruction, and equitable access to learning opportunities for all students.   Learn more about our guests: Rebecca Pogue Fields is the Head of Elementary School Programs for the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work includes a valuable collaboration with the Rollins Center that has resulted in Alliance Theatre Arts Integration on Cox Campus [https://www.alliancetheatre.org/alliance-theatre-arts-integration-on-cox-campus/]. This initiative provides classrooms with free access to Theatre for Youth and Families productions, introduces and trains teachers in arts integrated theater strategies, and elevates student voice in response to artistic material.   Dr. Brennan Chandler serves as an Assistant Professor of Dyslexia in the Department of Learning Sciences at Georgia State University, where he trains graduate students, coordinates the university’s dyslexia endorsement program, and leads research on spelling, word reading, and adolescent literacy. He also serves as a faculty affiliate with Georgia State’s Center for Research on the Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy. BrennanChandler.com [https://www.brennanchandler.com/]   Stephanie Payne & Korrye Gaskins are structured literacy professional learning facilitators for the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy. Resources and courses mentioned by Stephanie and Korrye can be found at http://coxcampus.org [http://coxcampus.org]

The Relentless Commitment to Equity: Striving to Maintain DEIB

In this episode Ryan Lee-James sits down with Ashley Ellis, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at the Atlanta Speech School to unpack what DEIB really means beyond the headlines and political noise. Ashley reframes DEIB as a fundamentally human-centered practice rooted in dignity, empathy, and honoring diverse perspectives while emphasizing its deep connection to education, literacy, and student outcomes. Together, they tackle misconceptions about DEIB, discuss how schools can stay mission-driven amid shifting political pressures, and offer practical guidance for organizations seeking to align their values, practices, and culture to ensure every child has what they need to thrive.   About our Guest Ashley Ellis Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Atlanta Speech School   Ashley Ellis is an adaptive leader with over 15 years of experience across P–12 and nonprofit settings. She specializes in people development- always grounded in empathy, creativity, and a genuine concern for humanity. She believes deeply in people's inherent goodness and potential and uses emotional intelligence to serve and uplift the communities where she lives and works. Whether creating content, facilitating professional learning, or supporting individuals and teams, Ashley leads with heart, curiosity, and a commitment to creating/sustaining healthy ecosystems.

Nadia Jones, EdD | Partnerships, Access, and Literacy Equity

This episode of the Literacy and Justice for All podcast features Dr. Nadia Jones in a wide-ranging conversation about expanding access to high-quality literacy resources through local, national, and international partnerships. Dr. Jones shares her professional journey and passion for equitable education, highlighting her work building collaborations across school systems, higher education institutions, state agencies, and community organizations. The discussion explores how Cox Campus delivers free, research-based coursework to educators while removing financial barriers and supporting professional growth through credentialing and accreditation. The episode also spotlights innovative initiatives such as partnerships with universities, statewide literacy credentials, and the “Talk With Me Baby” program in healthcare settings, all aimed at advancing early language development and ensuring that literacy truly becomes accessible for all.   About Our Guest: Nadia Jones, EdDDirector of Partnerships, Rollins Center for Language and Literacy   Dr. Jones has a background in developing and implementing educational programs, with a focus on literacy and community engagement. In their role at Atlanta Speech School, they contribute to initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of illiteracy, particularly for children facing generational educational disadvantages. This involves facilitating coaching and supporting the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy's mission to build literacy-conducive ecosystems. Prior to this, Jones served as Engagement Executive Director, Community at Atlanta First United Methodist Church, where they focused on fostering faith and love within the congregation and the broader Atlanta community through various engagement initiatives. Their work also involved making disciples for the transformation of the world. http://www.coxcampus.org [http://www.coxcampus.org]

Hugh Catts, Ph.D. | The Revised Definition of Dyslexia

In this episode of the Literacy and Justice for All podcast, Dr. Ryan Lee-James speaks with Dr. Hugh Catts about the revised definition of dyslexia and what it means for schools and learners. They discuss how the updated definition reflects current research, emphasizing persistent reading and spelling difficulties influenced by multiple factors rather than a single cause. The conversation highlights the need for strong early instruction, better progress monitoring, and earlier intervention to replace the “wait to fail” model, while also addressing challenges in equitable identification across different school contexts.   About our Guest Hugh Catts, Ph.D. Dr. Catts is Professor of the School of Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University. His research interests include the early identification and prevention of reading disabilities. He is a past board member of the International Dyslexia Association and past board member and President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading. He has received the Samuel T. Orton Award from the International Dyslexia Association and the Honors of the Association from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for his career contributions in each of these disciplines. His current research concerns the early identification of reading and language disabilities and the nature and assessment of reading comprehension problems.   Resources https://dyslexiaida.org/ [https://dyslexiaida.org/]   LitLink 2026 is Coming Up! Georgia LitLink is our state’s literacy conference dedicated to Georgia public school teachers. This teacher-facing conference is cohosted by the Georgia Department of Education and the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy, a program of the Atlanta Speech School. This conference connects teachers and educators from across Georgia who will learn as key change-agents in our statewide literacy effort. Click here to register! [https://web.cvent.com/event/b4b668b8-c12c-4eec-a8cd-136d373ef776/summary]

Comer Yates | Atlanta Speech School

In this episode of the Literacy and Justice for All podcast, listeners hear from longtime executive director Comer Yates about his journey from teacher to attorney and ultimately to leading the Atlanta Speech School for nearly three decades. He shares the school’s origins as a free program founded to give every child access to their voice, and traces its evolution into a nationally recognized center for language and literacy, serving children from infancy through elementary school. The conversation explores how advances in the science of reading, the discovery that dyslexia is a language-based disorder, and the school’s commitment to equity led to the creation of the Rollins Center and Cox Campus, initiatives designed to share proven literacy practices with educators everywhere. About our Guest Comer is the Executive Director of The Atlanta Speech School, where he has held the role for more than 20 years. Established in 1938 as a free clinic for children who were deaf or hard of hearing, today the Speech School is the nation’s most comprehensive center for language and literacy. It is composed of three preschools (Katherine Hamm Center, Kenan Preschool and Stepping Stones Preschool), a K-6 school for children with dyslexia (Wardlaw School), a Clinic offering therapeutic and academic services to advance learning, and the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy, our professional development center focused on promoting literacy outcomes with the online support of our Cox Campus — a free learning platform and global community of practice advancing literacy to every ZIP code with members in all fifty states and more than 44 countries.