Voices of Freedom

• Interview with Victor and Dawn Barnett

  An Interview with Victor and Dawn Barnett, Leaders of Running Rebels It’s a magical sight when a once lifeless plant begins to blossom because of the right conditions. According to one of our guests on this episode of Voices of Freedom, working with young people from challenging circumstances is analogous to tending a garden. When someone is struggling or hopeless, it can be hard to see the possibilities ahead for them. Yet with nurturing, understanding and patience, change can take root that allows them to bloom. For four decades, Running Rebels has intervened in the lives of thousands of young people, helping them become thriving, engaged, contributing citizens. Victor and Dawn Barnett lead Running Rebels together. They share what youth need to thrive and why they’re optimistic about the next generation. Topics Discussed on this Episode: What led Victor and Dawn to dedicate their lives to working with young people How Running Rebels filled a void in the Milwaukee area The challenges kids face today versus in the 1980s and 90s The qualities that make someone a good mentor and how to find mentors Organizations across the country that mentor young people How to connect with kids who are tough to reach and how to deal with kids who fall back into destructive behaviors Running Rebels’ program to help kids succeed while in college The biggest misconception about the kids Running Rebels helps What gives Dawn and Victor hope for the future About Victor and Dawn Barnett: At the age of 19, Victor Barnett saw many of the young people of Milwaukee being pulled into the street life of gangs, crime, and violence. He used basketball as the tool to engage, mentor, and guide youth towards an alternative path that would ensure their future success. From this vision and action, Running Rebels Community Organization was born. Dawn Barnett’s career began over 20 years ago when she saw a boy playing with a basketball in front of her house. Impressed by his skills, she learned that he was a member of the Running Rebels basketball team. She soon met Victor and was inspired to become involved. Since that time, she has helped turn Running Rebels into an organization that now serves 2,500 youth annually in Milwaukee.

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  30:33
• Interview with Laura Sumner-Coon

  An Interview with Laura Sumner-Coon, Executive Director of Racine Literacy Council (RLC) It might seem counterintuitive for leaders of nonprofit organizations to try to work themselves out of their jobs. Yet our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom believes that should in fact be their goal. Laura Sumner-Coon, Executive Director of Racine Literacy Council (RLC), has spent her career starting and leading organizations that are driven to help individuals build better lives. As she shares on this episode, non-profits should not be afraid to work themselves out of existence. It’s an approach Sumner-Coon carries with her at RLC, an organization that supports the literacy needs of residents who seek to reach their full potential and become engaged citizens. Topics Discussed on this Episode: Laura’s experience working with non-profits and in education reform Why she started, and decided to shut down Racine SOAR, an organization that helped parents and schools navigate the area’s first parental choice program RLC’s importance to an industrial community like Racine The circumstances of those who use RLC’s services, how it helps them achieve their goals, and how they become more engaged citizens The extent of RLC’s reach beyond its brick-and-mortar building RLC’s 60th anniversary and its future plans Laura Sumner-Coon started out her career as a reporter and editor for various newspapers, including the former Milwaukee Journal and the Journal Times. She then held communication and development roles with the Racine Dominican Sisters and from there, began a career in education reform, including founding and leading a grassroots effort to establish the first parental choice program in Racine, Wisconsin. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in the teacher preparation program.

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  32:38
• Interview with Anthony McHenry

  An Interview with Anthony McHenry, Chief Executive Officer, Milwaukee Academy of Science When it comes to urban education, the news is almost always negative. Poor academic performance, abysmal graduation rates and unruly classrooms have become the norm. Students have suffered because of these failures, often falling through the cracks. Yet there are schools in Milwaukee that defy the odds, showing that success is not only possible, but should be the expectation - even for schools that cater to students facing significant obstacles outside the classroom.  One of those schools is Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS). Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Anthony McHenry, CEO of MAS, a STEM-focused, K4-12 charter school whose mission is to graduate urban students prepared to compete at the post-secondary level. McHenry discusses what’s behind MAS’s success and how to offer more opportunities for students to get ahead. Topics Discussed on this Episode: McHenry’s story and how it drives him to be a leader Why society has failed kids, and the opportunities squandered because of it The circumstances causing students to be in volatile situations How MAS addresses the challenges its students face, particularly when it comes to transportation How MAS encourages students to imagine the possibilities for their lives How to get kids excited about and engaged in science MAS’s efforts to keep high quality teachers and administrators What MAS’s new addition will allow it to do and what will it mean for the families it serves What needs to be done so that there are more opportunities for kids to succeed Anthony McHenry has been CEO of MAS since 2016. Under his leadership, MAS has increased enrollment, entered into new partnerships and improved academic outcomes.  MAS has also developed one of the area’s top school athletic programs. Prior to joining MAS, McHenry served for nearly 20 years as executive director of the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center in Milwaukee’s Westlawn neighborhood.

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  36:30
• Interview wth Paul Clement

  An Interview with Paul Clement, Appellate Lawyer and Distinguished Lecturer in Law The US Constitution has long been revered by its citizens, yet also robustly challenged. Knowing that it would be tested, the founders created the judiciary to serve as an independent bulwark that would protect Americans’ rights.  Yet the judiciary’s independence has often been called into question lately, in part due to the country’s ideological divide. Further, until recently, some of its authority had been ceded to the executive branch, creating an explosion of government regulation and intrusion into citizens’ daily lives.  Few understand the state of the judiciary and the US Constitution better than Paul Clement, our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. Clement has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than anyone in recent history, giving him distinct insights into future of the Court and the most impactful rulings of our time.  Topics Discussed on this Episode: ·         How Clement’s midwestern roots have influenced his approach with the Court ·         The significance of the rule of law in America and how it’s distinctive from other countries ·         The danger in straying from the US Constitution’s intent ·         State of the US Supreme Court ·         Court packing  - its impact on the rule of law and the Court’s make up ·         How the reversal of Chevron will impact government regulation ·         What universities should do to protect free speech and counter anti-Semitism ·         The legal profession distancing itself from controversial cases ·         How Americans can understand and uphold the rule of law Paul Clement served as the 43rd Solicitor General of the United States between 2005 and 2008. Prior to that, he served as Acting Solicitor General and as Principal Deputy Solicitor General. He is a partner at Clement & Murphy and a Bradley Foundation director. Clement is a 2013 Bradley Prize recipient.

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  33:52
• Interview with Victor Davis Hanson

  An Interview with Victor Davis Hanson The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation The principles enshrined in the US Constitution have historically united us as Americans. We may have different customs, backgrounds or religious beliefs from our fellow citizens, but we share the values of freedom and the rule of law that are afforded to us as citizens.  Increasingly however, people are gravitating towards tribalism and identity politics, undermining the foundational beliefs that have traditionally brought us together. That division is sowing seeds of discord and preventing us from solving the country’s greatest challenges. Can America course correct? Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is scholar and author Victor Davis Hanson. He addresses that question and shares his thoughts on the events that will influence the US for decades to come.  Topics Discussed on this Episode: ·         How Victor’s experience growing up on a California fruit farm shaped his life ·         Victor’s path from farmer to academic and why he chooses to remain on the farm ·         The danger of identity politics and the move away from a multiracial single culture ·         The end game for the clash of cultures ·         How the revolutionary events of the past few years will impact the US ·         Whether American society is in the midst of decline ·         What gives Victor hope for the future of US and Western civilization  Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is the author of several books and hundreds of articles, book reviews, and newspaper editorials about classical military history and its many lessons. Victor was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 and a Bradley Prize in 2008.  He is also a member of the Bradley Foundation board of directors.        

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  29:57

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