Say That With Love https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast en NBCDI What does it take to build a world where Black children truly thrive? Hosted by Dr. Leah Austin, Say That With Love is a podcast from the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) that explores the Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development through the voices of those closest to the work: educators, parents, artists, healers, and community leaders building liberated futures for Black children and families. Rooted in Afrofuturism, early childhood development, and systems thinking, each episode weaves storytelling, expert insight, and community wisdom to ignite hope and drive action. From joyful learning to economic security, we're reimagining what's possible for our youngest generation. This is more than a podcast. It's a movement to nurture Black brilliance, protect Black joy, and center Black children in systems designed for them to flourish. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/d71252c0-df40-11f0-8fea-af1b5d6e66be/image/37ae5d8d64e3628638f28afba7168303.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Say That With Love https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast no episodic Conversations with Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin What does it take to build a world where Black children truly thrive? Hosted by Dr. Leah Austin, Say That With Love is a podcast from the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) that explores the Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development through the voices of those closest to the work: educators, parents, artists, healers, and community leaders building liberated futures for Black children and families. Rooted in Afrofuturism, early childhood development, and systems thinking, each episode weaves storytelling, expert insight, and community wisdom to ignite hope and drive action. From joyful learning to economic security, we're reimagining what's possible for our youngest generation. This is more than a podcast. It's a movement to nurture Black brilliance, protect Black joy, and center Black children in systems designed for them to flourish. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. What does it take to build a world where Black children truly thrive?

Hosted by Dr. Leah Austin, Say That With Love is a podcast from the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) that explores the Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development through the voices of those closest to the work: educators, parents, artists, healers, and community leaders building liberated futures for Black children and families.

Rooted in Afrofuturism, early childhood development, and systems thinking, each episode weaves storytelling, expert insight, and community wisdom to ignite hope and drive action. From joyful learning to economic security, we're reimagining what's possible for our youngest generation.

This is more than a podcast. It's a movement to nurture Black brilliance, protect Black joy, and center Black children in systems designed for them to flourish.


Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> National Black Child Development Institute communications@nbcdi.org Lives and Plays in a Safe Community with Rev. Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ Safety isn’t just the absence of harm. It’s the presence of joy, belonging, and the freedom to dream. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Reverend Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley, National Director of Movement Building at the Children’s Defense Fund. Together, they explore what it truly means for Black children to live and play in safe communities—where care is a collective responsibility, and safety includes dignity, culture, and joy. This conversation redefines safety through a liberation lens, offering strategies to build systems and spaces where Black children can grow up knowing they are protected, loved, and free to be. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 18 May 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Lives and Plays in a Safe Community with Rev. Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley full 1 9 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and Rev. Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley unpack what it means for Black children to live in safe, nurturing communities. From policy to play, this episode reframes safety as love, justice, and collective care. Safety isn’t just the absence of harm. It’s the presence of joy, belonging, and the freedom to dream. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Reverend Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley, National Director of Movement Building at the Children’s Defense Fund. Together, they explore what it truly means for Black children to live and play in safe communities—where care is a collective responsibility, and safety includes dignity, culture, and joy. This conversation redefines safety through a liberation lens, offering strategies to build systems and spaces where Black children can grow up knowing they are protected, loved, and free to be. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Safety isn’t just the absence of harm. It’s the presence of joy, belonging, and the freedom to dream.

In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Reverend Dr. Cheryl Cook-Posley, National Director of Movement Building at the Children’s Defense Fund. Together, they explore what it truly means for Black children to live and play in safe communities—where care is a collective responsibility, and safety includes dignity, culture, and joy.

This conversation redefines safety through a liberation lens, offering strategies to build systems and spaces where Black children can grow up knowing they are protected, loved, and free to be.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2834 no Is Seen As A Child with Dr. Byron Young https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ What does it mean for Black children to be seen as children—not miniature adults, not threats, not burdens, but whole human beings deserving of joy, tenderness, and care? In this powerful episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. Byron Young, child and adolescent psychiatrist, community healer, and founder of DoingItWell. Together, they explore the emotional cost of adultification, the systemic forces that deny Black children their innocence, and the healing power of affirmation. From hip hop and mental health to radical care and cultural connection, this conversation reminds us that seeing Black children as children is not symbolic—it’s lifesaving. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 04 May 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Is Seen As A Child with Dr. Byron Young full 1 8 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and Dr. Byron Young explore what it means to see and affirm Black children as children. From mental health to imagination, this episode centers love, care, and justice as essential to childhood. What does it mean for Black children to be seen as children—not miniature adults, not threats, not burdens, but whole human beings deserving of joy, tenderness, and care? In this powerful episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. Byron Young, child and adolescent psychiatrist, community healer, and founder of DoingItWell. Together, they explore the emotional cost of adultification, the systemic forces that deny Black children their innocence, and the healing power of affirmation. From hip hop and mental health to radical care and cultural connection, this conversation reminds us that seeing Black children as children is not symbolic—it’s lifesaving. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. What does it mean for Black children to be seen as children—not miniature adults, not threats, not burdens, but whole human beings deserving of joy, tenderness, and care?

In this powerful episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. Byron Young, child and adolescent psychiatrist, community healer, and founder of DoingItWell. Together, they explore the emotional cost of adultification, the systemic forces that deny Black children their innocence, and the healing power of affirmation.

From hip hop and mental health to radical care and cultural connection, this conversation reminds us that seeing Black children as children is not symbolic—it’s lifesaving.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2984 no Breathes Clean Air and Drinks Clean Water with Binta Dixon https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ Air is breath. Water is life. And yet, too many Black children are denied both. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Binta Dixon—Afrofuturist writer, community facilitator, and environmental justice advocate—for a powerful conversation on clean air, safe water, and the fight for environmental equity. Together, they explore how pollution and policy choices have shaped Black childhood—and how communities are reclaiming their right to breathe, to thrive, and to imagine new futures. From climate justice to civic action, this episode invites us to understand environmental justice not only as resistance, but as love in action. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Breathes Clean Air and Drinks Clean Water with Binta Dixon full 1 7 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and Binta Dixon explore what it means for Black children to have access to clean air, safe water, and nature. This episode centers environmental justice as a fight for joy, dignity, and life itself. Air is breath. Water is life. And yet, too many Black children are denied both. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Binta Dixon—Afrofuturist writer, community facilitator, and environmental justice advocate—for a powerful conversation on clean air, safe water, and the fight for environmental equity. Together, they explore how pollution and policy choices have shaped Black childhood—and how communities are reclaiming their right to breathe, to thrive, and to imagine new futures. From climate justice to civic action, this episode invites us to understand environmental justice not only as resistance, but as love in action. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Air is breath. Water is life. And yet, too many Black children are denied both.

In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Binta Dixon—Afrofuturist writer, community facilitator, and environmental justice advocate—for a powerful conversation on clean air, safe water, and the fight for environmental equity. Together, they explore how pollution and policy choices have shaped Black childhood—and how communities are reclaiming their right to breathe, to thrive, and to imagine new futures.

From climate justice to civic action, this episode invites us to understand environmental justice not only as resistance, but as love in action.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2201 no Has Toys and Books That Reflect Them with James Howard https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ Representation is more than a buzzword—it’s a building block of identity, belonging, and imagination. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by James Howard, Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame and STEM Learning Center. As an inventor, designer, and educator, James brings powerful insight into how toys, books, and everyday learning tools shape what Black children believe is possible for themselves. Together, they explore how design and storytelling can affirm Black brilliance, why representation matters in early learning, and what it looks like to create a future where every Black child is seen, celebrated, and inspired. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Has Toys and Books That Reflect Them with James Howard full 1 6 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and James Howard explore the power of representation in toys, books, and learning materials. From imagination to identity, this episode reimagines what’s possible when Black children see themselves reflected in every story and every design. Representation is more than a buzzword—it’s a building block of identity, belonging, and imagination. In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by James Howard, Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame and STEM Learning Center. As an inventor, designer, and educator, James brings powerful insight into how toys, books, and everyday learning tools shape what Black children believe is possible for themselves. Together, they explore how design and storytelling can affirm Black brilliance, why representation matters in early learning, and what it looks like to create a future where every Black child is seen, celebrated, and inspired. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Representation is more than a buzzword—it’s a building block of identity, belonging, and imagination.

In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by James Howard, Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame and STEM Learning Center. As an inventor, designer, and educator, James brings powerful insight into how toys, books, and everyday learning tools shape what Black children believe is possible for themselves.

Together, they explore how design and storytelling can affirm Black brilliance, why representation matters in early learning, and what it looks like to create a future where every Black child is seen, celebrated, and inspired.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2330 no Hangs Out on a Safe and Appropriate Internet with Dr. Criscillia Benford https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ In a world increasingly shaped by screens, algorithms, and AI, what does it mean for Black children to be safe, seen, and sovereign online? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Criscillia Benford, to explore digital equity, online safety, and the role technology plays in shaping Black childhood. From leading Project 10Million to decades of educational leadership, Dr. King brings powerful insight into how we ensure Black children can thrive—not just survive—in digital spaces. Together, they unpack the challenges and possibilities of internet access, digital literacy, and emerging tech like AI, all while grounding the conversation in joy, creativity, and Black brilliance. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000 Hangs Out on a Safe and Appropriate Internet with Dr. Criscillia Benford full 1 5 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and Dr. Criscillia Benford explore what it means for Black children to be safe, affirmed, and empowered in digital spaces. From online safety to digital equity, this episode reimagines tech as a tool for justice, creativity, and joy. In a world increasingly shaped by screens, algorithms, and AI, what does it mean for Black children to be safe, seen, and sovereign online? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Criscillia Benford, to explore digital equity, online safety, and the role technology plays in shaping Black childhood. From leading Project 10Million to decades of educational leadership, Dr. King brings powerful insight into how we ensure Black children can thrive—not just survive—in digital spaces. Together, they unpack the challenges and possibilities of internet access, digital literacy, and emerging tech like AI, all while grounding the conversation in joy, creativity, and Black brilliance. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. In a world increasingly shaped by screens, algorithms, and AI, what does it mean for Black children to be safe, seen, and sovereign online?

In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Criscillia Benford, to explore digital equity, online safety, and the role technology plays in shaping Black childhood. From leading Project 10Million to decades of educational leadership, Dr. King brings powerful insight into how we ensure Black children can thrive—not just survive—in digital spaces.

Together, they unpack the challenges and possibilities of internet access, digital literacy, and emerging tech like AI, all while grounding the conversation in joy, creativity, and Black brilliance.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 3707 no Enjoys Meals With Vegetables with Parker Gilkesson Davis https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ What does it mean for Black children to enjoy meals with vegetables in a world shaped by food insecurity and food apartheid? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Parker Gilkesson Davis, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy, writer, and mother, for a conversation on food justice, nutrition, and child wellness. Together, they explore how policy, culture, and community intersect to shape Black children’s access to healthy food—and why nourishment is a matter of dignity, love, and liberation. From lived experience to systems-level change, this episode reframes food as culture, care, and collective responsibility, calling listeners to imagine and build futures where Black children are nourished in body, mind, and spirit. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000 Enjoys Meals With Vegetables with Parker Gilkesson Davis full 1 4 Dr. Leah Austin Dr. Leah Austin and Parker Gilkesson Davis explore food justice, nutrition, and what it takes to ensure Black children have access to healthy, dignified meals. This episode centers food as culture, care, and liberation—and invites us to reimagine nourishment as a collective responsibility. What does it mean for Black children to enjoy meals with vegetables in a world shaped by food insecurity and food apartheid? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Parker Gilkesson Davis, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy, writer, and mother, for a conversation on food justice, nutrition, and child wellness. Together, they explore how policy, culture, and community intersect to shape Black children’s access to healthy food—and why nourishment is a matter of dignity, love, and liberation. From lived experience to systems-level change, this episode reframes food as culture, care, and collective responsibility, calling listeners to imagine and build futures where Black children are nourished in body, mind, and spirit. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. What does it mean for Black children to enjoy meals with vegetables in a world shaped by food insecurity and food apartheid?

In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Parker Gilkesson Davis, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy, writer, and mother, for a conversation on food justice, nutrition, and child wellness. Together, they explore how policy, culture, and community intersect to shape Black children’s access to healthy food—and why nourishment is a matter of dignity, love, and liberation.

From lived experience to systems-level change, this episode reframes food as culture, care, and collective responsibility, calling listeners to imagine and build futures where Black children are nourished in body, mind, and spirit.

Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2254 no Attends a School That Affirms and Expands Them with Dr. David Johns https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ What does it truly mean for a school to affirm who Black children are and expand who they can become? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and longtime education justice advocate, for a powerful conversation about affirming schools, identity, and imagination. Together, they explore how classrooms shape belonging, joy, and possibility for Black children—especially in the earliest years. Dr. Johns reflects on his own childhood, the educators who affirmed him, and what it takes to build learning environments rooted in love, curiosity, and cultural truth. This episode challenges us to see schools as sites of worldbuilding, where affirmation fuels learning and freedom becomes possible. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000 Attends a School That Affirms and Expands Them with Dr. David Johns full 1 3 Dr. Leah Austin Episode 3: Attends a School That Affirms and Expands Them with Dr. David Johns Dr. Leah Austin and Dr. David Johns explore what it means for Black children to attend schools that affirm identity, spark joy, and expand possibility. This episode centers education as a site of belonging, imagination, and liberation—where affirmation becomes the foundation for thriving. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. What does it truly mean for a school to affirm who Black children are and expand who they can become? In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and longtime education justice advocate, for a powerful conversation about affirming schools, identity, and imagination. Together, they explore how classrooms shape belonging, joy, and possibility for Black children—especially in the earliest years. Dr. Johns reflects on his own childhood, the educators who affirmed him, and what it takes to build learning environments rooted in love, curiosity, and cultural truth. This episode challenges us to see schools as sites of worldbuilding, where affirmation fuels learning and freedom becomes possible. Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago. What does it truly mean for a school to affirm who Black children are and expand who they can become?


In this episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and longtime education justice advocate, for a powerful conversation about affirming schools, identity, and imagination. Together, they explore how classrooms shape belonging, joy, and possibility for Black children—especially in the earliest years.

Dr. Johns reflects on his own childhood, the educators who affirmed him, and what it takes to build learning environments rooted in love, curiosity, and cultural truth. This episode challenges us to see schools as sites of worldbuilding, where affirmation fuels learning and freedom becomes possible.


Produced by Mike Brown in partnership with ABF Creative. Poetry performed by Ariana Santiago.

]]> 2558 no Born at a Healthy Weight with Leah Hairston https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ What does it really mean for a Black child to be born at a healthy weight? In this episode, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by doula and educator Leah Hairston to explore birth justice, Black maternal health, and the systems that shape the earliest moments of life. Together, they reimagine a world where Black babies are born into dignity, care, and love—and where Black mothers are heard, believed, and protected. Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000 full 1 2 Dr. Leah Austin What does it really mean for a Black child to be born at a healthy weight? In this episode, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by doula and educator Leah Hairston to explore birth justice, Black maternal health, and the systems that shape the earliest moments of life. Together, they reimagine a world where Black babies are born into dignity, care, and love—and where Black mothers are heard, believed, and protected. What does it really mean for a Black child to be born at a healthy weight? In this episode, Dr. Leah Austin is joined by doula and educator Leah Hairston to explore birth justice, Black maternal health, and the systems that shape the earliest moments of life. Together, they reimagine a world where Black babies are born into dignity, care, and love—and where Black mothers are heard, believed, and protected.


]]> 1917 no Afrofuturism & Systems Change with Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead https://www.nbcdi.org/podcast/ What if joy was the metric? What if data affirmed Black brilliance instead of policing it? In this powerful opening episode of Say That With Love, host Dr. Leah Austin sits down with Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead—award-winning scholar, storyteller, and “Black Mommy Activist”—to explore Afrofuturism as a visionary tool for systems change. Together, they unpack how memory, motherhood, and imagination shape the futures Black children deserve. From personal stories to historical insight, this episode invites listeners to reimagine what’s possible when we center Black children in systems designed for liberation—not compliance. Dr. Austin also shares reflections on NBCDI’s Afrofuturist Systems Design Process and calls us into collective action: to dream, design, and build with intention. “Let it be known—we are shaping a new world order for Black children to be. Just be.” Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000 full 1 1 Dr. Leah Austin In this debut episode of Say That With Love, Dr. Leah Austin and Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead explore Afrofuturism as a tool for systems change. Together, they unpack how storytelling, memory, and imagination can help us build new systems—where Black children are seen, affirmed, and free to thrive. What if joy was the metric? What if data affirmed Black brilliance instead of policing it? In this powerful opening episode of Say That With Love, host Dr. Leah Austin sits down with Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead—award-winning scholar, storyteller, and “Black Mommy Activist”—to explore Afrofuturism as a visionary tool for systems change. Together, they unpack how memory, motherhood, and imagination shape the futures Black children deserve. From personal stories to historical insight, this episode invites listeners to reimagine what’s possible when we center Black children in systems designed for liberation—not compliance. Dr. Austin also shares reflections on NBCDI’s Afrofuturist Systems Design Process and calls us into collective action: to dream, design, and build with intention. “Let it be known—we are shaping a new world order for Black children to be. Just be.” What if joy was the metric? What if data affirmed Black brilliance instead of policing it? In this powerful opening episode of Say That With Love, host Dr. Leah Austin sits down with Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead—award-winning scholar, storyteller, and “Black Mommy Activist”—to explore Afrofuturism as a visionary tool for systems change.

Together, they unpack how memory, motherhood, and imagination shape the futures Black children deserve. From personal stories to historical insight, this episode invites listeners to reimagine what’s possible when we center Black children in systems designed for liberation—not compliance.

Dr. Austin also shares reflections on NBCDI’s Afrofuturist Systems Design Process and calls us into collective action: to dream, design, and build with intention.


“Let it be known—we are shaping a new world order for Black children to be. Just be.”

]]> 3688 no