In 1898, a democratically elected government in Wilmington, North Carolina was overthrown in a violent coup, the only successful coup d’état in United States history. For decades, the truth of what happened was buried.

In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David speaks with Guy Hill about the Wilmington Coup of 1898 and the destruction of a thriving Black community. Together, they unpack how white supremacist violence reshaped the city, why this history was suppressed, and what it reveals about the fragility of democracy in America.

Guy also reflects on his journey into education and his commitment to teaching African American history with honesty and care. This conversation connects Wilmington to other moments of racial violence, including Tulsa, and challenges us to confront the stories we’ve been taught and the ones we haven't.

This is not just a history lesson. It is a reckoning.

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David speaks with Dr. Celene Ibrahim, about teaching Islam in America, religious misconceptions, and how educators can approach religion in the classroom. They discuss her personal journey from Catholicism to Islam, the role of religion in public life, and how educators can approach complex religious topics in the classroom. Dr. Ibrahim also addresses common misconceptions about Islam, the historical presence of Muslims in America, and the importance of fostering thoughtful dialogue and deeper understanding across religious and cultural differences.

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In this special episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David shares the keynote address he delivered at Providence Day School’s Black History Month celebration, marking one hundred years since Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week, the foundation of what would become Black History Month.

Drawing on Toni Morrison’s assertion that “definitions belong to the definers,” David reflects on Woodson’s determination to build an institution that would allow Black people to research, write, and teach their own history. He situates Woodson’s work within the violent and contested landscape of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and considers what it means to define ourselves when Black history is under fierce attack.

At the heart of the address is a central question: What does Black history teach us in this challenging moment? David offers three enduring lessons, resilience, resistance, and responsibility, and invites listeners to consider how those lessons shape both our understanding of the past and our obligations in the present.

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.