“Our State of Education,” presented by The Skillman Foundation, brings together the diverse voices that are shaping the future of learning in Michigan.
Hosted by Angelique Power, president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation, with WJR’s Lloyd Jackson, the series explores how schools, communities, and policymakers are reimagining education to better support youth in a rapidly changing world.
From K–12 classrooms to afterschool and summer programs, we spotlight the innovations transforming how young people learn and lead. Tune in for candid conversations with students, parents, educators, business leaders, and lawmakers as they share the challenges they face—and the solutions they’re building.
Oct. 5, 2026 ~ For immigrant and newcomer families, education can be one of the first connections to a new community. Schools can help young people build confidence, help families understand unfamiliar systems, and create opportunities that reach across generations.
At The Skillman Foundation, we believe students and families bring valuable knowledge, languages, cultures, and experiences to public education. Schools are stronger when those strengths are recognized and families are welcomed as partners.
In this episode of Our State of Education, we are joined by Dr. Seydi Sarr, Ines De Jesus, and Dr. Omar Hakim, three Detroit leaders whose experiences as newcomers, educators, advocates, and community members shape how they support young people and families today. Together, they share personal stories of immigration and migration, explore the role education played in their lives, and discuss what schools and communities can do to help immigrant and newcomer students feel supported, heard, and able to thrive.
16 Sept 2026
School Safety Through Students’ Eyes
Sept. 14, 2026 ~ School safety is often discussed in terms of policies, procedures, and headlines. But for students, safety is personal.
Safety influences whether students feel welcomed, supported, and able to focus on learning. It shapes how they move through school buildings, how they interact with adults, and how they experience their communities.
In this episode of Our State of Education, high school students share what safety means to them. This conversation explores a wide range of issues under the umbrella of school safety, including school security measures, mental health supports, relationships with trusted adults, transportation, and the lasting impact of high-profile school violence on young people across Michigan.
Hear directly from students as they share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas for creating schools where every young person feels secure, supported, and ready to learn.
4 Aug 2026
School in the Digital Age: How Teens Feel about Tech
Aug. 3, 2026 ~ For today’s students, technology isn’t something new or novel. From Chromebooks and online assignments to AI and social media, technology shapes nearly every aspect of the student experience. At the same time, schools are wrestling with questions about cell phone policies, AI tools, screen time, and how technology impacts learning, relationships, and mental health.
In this episode of Our State of Education, we turn to the people experiencing all this the most: high school students.
Rather than debating technology from the outside, we ask teens how it is affecting their lives inside and outside the classroom. What role does or should AI play in their education? Do cell phone restrictions help? How has technology changed the way students connect with teachers, friends, and the world overall?
Join us for a candid conversation with three high schoolers—Ricardo Carter, Emely Maciel, and Mireya Pouncy. They’ll talk about the opportunities, challenges, and realities of growing up in a world where technology is ever-present.
6 Jul 2026
Michigan’s Social Impact Sector: Foundations & Nonprofits
July 6, 2026 ~ “Our State of Education” highlights foundations and nonprofits as problem-solvers focused on improving lives, not just profits. The discussion covers the work of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and the Michigan Nonprofit Association, emphasizing their roles in community development, education, and addressing systemic challenges in Michigan.
1 Jun 2026
Partnering for Change
June 1, 2026 ~ We are builders here in Michigan. Yes, autos. Yes, new tech start-ups. Yes, the future of mobility. Yes, award-winning waterfronts; Yes, music and art that have shaped American culture.
But more quietly, maybe more importantly, in this purple state of Michigan, we build bridges between each other, across difference, toward something new.
At The Skillman Foundation, our mission is to nurture the brilliance of youth. We do it by listening to them and the people closest to them, helping them redesign public education so it propels every student toward a brilliant future.
That’s the what. Then there’s the how. By rooting in community and then linking arms with as many people from as many sectors, cities, and walks of life to help make this happen.
On this episode of Our State of Education, hear from Michiganders who are improving the lives of children in collaborative, innovative ways.
5 May 2026
Detroit’s Groundbreaking Plan for Youth
May 4, 2026 ~ Detroit’s new mayor is putting young people at the center of city government, and this episode looks at how that vision is taking shape. Hosts Angelique Power of The Skillman Foundation and WJR’s Lloyd Jackson speak with Mayor Mary Sheffield and her team about a first-of-its-kind, citywide approach to youth, education, and the challenges students face beyond the classroom. Listen to learn how Detroit plans to better coordinate transportation, after-school opportunities, and youth voices across city government.
14 Apr 2026
New State Superintendent's Vision for Michigan’s Schools
April 13, 2026 ~ Michigan’s public education system is entering an important new chapter, shaped by statewide decisions that affect classrooms, communities, and students across the state. At The Skillman Foundation, we believe a strong public education system depends on a clear vision, shared responsibility and leadership that keeps students at the center. The choices made at the state level play a critical role in how schools serve young people and families. In this episode of Our State of Education, we are joined by Michigan’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Glenn Maleyko, to explore his vision for Michigan’s education system, the role of the State Superintendent, and the priorities guiding this moment. We will discuss where Michigan is headed and what it will take to build a system that helps every student thrive.
10 Mar 2026
School Funding: Why, How, & What’s Next
March 9, 2026 ~ We are taking a step back to examine one of the most important and least understood parts of Michigan’s education system: how public schools are funded. From Proposal A to more recent policy updates, Michigan’s funding system has been shaped over decades of decisions that continue to influence what schools can offer students today.
At the Skillman Foundation we believe a strong, future-ready education system is foundational to opportunity, economic vitality, and thriving communities. While funding changes have helped address some disparities, slow overall investment growth and rising student needs have created new challenges that affect classrooms across the state.
Our guests—State Senator Sarah Anthony; Venessa Keesler, President & CEO of Launch Michigan; and Craig Thiel, Research Director of Citizens Research Council—help break down how school funding works today, why it looks the way it does, and what improvements could make possible for students, educators, and communities statewide. This conversation offers context for understanding where Michigan’s education system stands, and what it will take to strengthen it for the future.
17 Feb 2026
Reporting Live From the Field
Feb. 16, 2026 ~ We’re going behind the news desk to get the scoop on what is happening in schools from local education reporters Lori Higgins, bureau chief at Chalkbeat Detroit, Isabel Lohman, education reporter at Bridge Michigan, and Sascha Raiyn, news reporter at WDET. Education news isn’t just about test scores. It’s about what our students are experiencing, how this helps or hinders them, and what can be done to better support them. It’s about whose perspectives are being heard as decisions are made. This is a critical time for education in Michigan, so we are turning the tables and interviewing the interviewers. Tune in for their real take on it all.
13 Jan 2026
Big Shifts in Education, What’s Ahead for 2026
Jan. 12, 2026 ~ We’re looking back at the major education policy shifts of 2025—nationally and here in Michigan—and exploring what they indicate for the year ahead. At The Skillman Foundation, we believe every citizen should have a shot at the American dream, and that starts with a strong, future-forward public education system. Constant reforms are happening to update and upgrade schools, although not all are effective or positive. Public education, like democracy itself, is a perpetual project that requires our steadfast commitment and ongoing examination. Our guests, Bethany Little, managing principal at EducationCounsel, and Regina Bell, chief policy officer at the Council of Michigan Foundations, help us examine what happened in K-12 education policy last year—the good and the not-so-good—and what is on the horizon as we enter the new year.
1 Dec 2025
How Parents Can Be More Involved with Their Children's Education
Dec. 1, 2025 ~ Skillman Foundation CEO Angelique Power discussed the importance of parent involvement in education, highlighting the essential role parents play in shaping the education system and supporting their children. A mother of a special needs child shares her personal journey of advocating for her son and other children, emphasizing the need for explicit communication and collaboration between parents and schools. Sharlonda Buckman, assistant superintendent of Family and Community Engagement at Detroit Public Schools Community District, discusses the power of parent networks and community engagement in improving educational outcomes and influencing policy. Lastly, Brandon Sylvester underscored the impact of after-school programs and the importance of parental presence in children’s lives.
9 Nov 2025
What Will Our Kids Inherit?
Nov. 9, 2025 ~ What shapes a child’s future? In this episode, we examine the conditions Michigan kids are growing up in—from poverty and education to health and housing—and how policy decisions impact their well-being. Monique Stanton of the Michigan League for Public Policy breaks down the latest Kids Count data. Kayla Tate of 482Forward offers a youth-driven perspective on what’s working and what’s missing. And former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow reflects on the role of elected leaders in responding to community needs and shaping a better future.
7 Oct 2025
What Michigan Can Learn From Detroit
Oct. 6, 2025 ~ Improvements and innovations are happening in Detroit schools that Michigan can learn from. Listen in as Angelique Power sits down with Lawrence Hood, CEO of the charter school district Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Nikolai Vitti, who runs the largest school district in the state, Detroit Public Schools Community District. They talk about the changes schools can make to better support students, what schools can’t do alone, and who must help.
9 Sept 2025
What Students Want
Sept. 8, 2025 ~ We sat down with three Michigan high school students–Messiah Bethel (senior at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy), Leela Dahabra (junior at the International Academy in Oakland County), and Grace Geresy (junior at Grosse Point South)–as they entered a new school year. What do they think about their educational experiences? Do they feel primed for college or a career? What are schools doing a great job at, and what can be improved? Is AI a help or a hindrance to learning? Hear what’s going on in school today straight from the source – students.
5 Aug 2025
John Powell on Bridging Michigan’s Education Divide
August 4, 2025 ~ Featured guest John Powell, director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, joins Angelique Power and Lloyd Jackson for a timely conversation about how we can come together across political, racial, and social divides to improve education in Michigan. Drawing from his book, “The Power of How,” Powell shares personal stories and practical ideas for building connection, fostering belonging, and making sure every student has a fair shot. With deep Detroit roots and global experience, Powell brings fresh perspective to a conversation about compassion, common ground, and what it really takes to move forward—together.
8 Jul 2025
Rewriting the Future: Michigan’s Gubernatorial Hopefuls on Fixing K–12 Education
Angelique Power and Lloyd Jackson interview Michigan gubernatorial hopefuls Garlin Gilchrist, Aric Nesbitt, Jocelyn Benson, and Chris Swanson regarding their plans to transform K-12 education, focusing on literacy, career pathways, and funding.
3 Jun 2025
Common Ground, Uncommon Conversations: Rethinking Education in Michigan
State Senators Darrin Camilleri and Ed McBroom, along with Ron Hall Jr., explore bipartisan strategies to improve Michigan's K-12 education system and address systemic inequities in this interview episode.
29 May 2025
Our State of Education ~ Premiers Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Angelique Power and Lloyd Jackson examine Michigan's evolving education system, spotlighting innovations and challenges faced by students, educators, and policymakers in this episode.
Who has been a guest on OUR STATE OF EDUCATION
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Garlin Gilchrist
Aric Nesbitt
Jocelyn Benson
Chris Swanson
Darrin Camilleri
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
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Quality
42
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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Questions about OUR STATE OF EDUCATION
Who hosts OUR STATE OF EDUCATION?
Angelique Power and Lloyd Jackson host the show. Published by Cumulus Media Detroit.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does OUR STATE OF EDUCATION take guests?
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