Next Man Up amplifies the voices and experiences of men of color in educational leadership. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, the podcast explores the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shape leaders breaking barriers and driving systemic change in education. Through candid conversations and expert insights, Next Man Up inspires listeners to embrace their unique power, build community, and foster mentorship. Whether you’re a current leader, aspiring changemaker, or ally, this podcast will empower you to step up and make an impact. The next man up could be you!
Next Man Up: An MCEL Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Men of Color in Educational Leadership
4.9(14 reviews)
22 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
Next Man Up amplifies the voices and experiences of men of color in educational leadership. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, the podcast explores the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shape leaders breaking barriers and driving systemic change in education. Through candid conversations and expert insights, Next Man Up inspires listeners to embrace their unique power, build community, and foster mentorship. Whether you’re a current leader, aspiring changemaker, or ally, this podcast will empower you to step up and make an impact. The next man up could be you!
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Publishing Since
1/21/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 2, 2026
Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 2
<p><strong>About this Episode</strong></p><p>In Part 2 of this conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas continues his discussion with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara on the question, Who Has the Principal's Back?</p><p>Together, they explore what meaningful support for school leaders really looks like and why trust, coaching, mentorship, and strong relationships matter. Through honest stories and practical insights, they share how district leaders can help principals grow, navigate challenges, and lead with confidence.</p><p>If you are a principal, assistant principal, district leader, or aspiring administrator, this episode offers valuable leadership lessons that will inspire and strengthen your practice.</p><p><strong>About Dr. Ariel Lajara</strong></p><p>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. </p><p><strong>About Dr. Renny Lajara</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>About the Podcast</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Learn More: </strong>To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit <a href="http://mcelleaders.org/podcast">mcelleaders.org/podcast</a> or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.</p>
June 14, 2026
Leading with Support, Not Just Accountability, Pt. 1
<p><strong>About this Episode</strong></p><p>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?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>About Dr. Ariel Lajara</strong></p><p>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. </p><p><strong>About Dr. Renny Lajara</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>About the Podcast</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Learn More: </strong>To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit <a href="http://mcelleaders.org/podcast" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mcelleaders.org/podcast</a> or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.</p>
April 13, 2026
The AP Life: What they don’t tell you, Pt. 2
<p><strong>About this Episode</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Community is the foundation of school culture</p></li><li><p>Authentic leadership matters</p></li><li><p>AP's role is both a pipeline and a pressure cooker</p></li><li><p>Self-care is essential, not optional</p></li></ul><p><strong>About Barry Wilkins</strong></p><p>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. </p><p><strong>About Dr. Rodney Harrison </strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>About the Podcast</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Learn More: </strong>To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit <a href="http://mcelleaders.org/podcast">mcelleaders.org/podcast</a> or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
22 total episodes available
Recent guests on Next Man Up: An MCEL Podcast
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Raymond Roy-Pace
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Dr Wardell Hunter
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Errin Smith
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Dr Arman Lakes
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Dr Chuck Curtis
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Dr Aaron Dukes
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Brandon Johnson
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Mario Jovan Shaw
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Vincent Rawlings
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Dr Jacob Waites
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Joseph Speight
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Justin Sinclair
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