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@SXSW2021

It's here! We’re talking with people about the fun, the purpose, and the impact of their presence at this year's SXSW.

@bowie
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:33

SXSW Speaker India Johnson - Executive Director of Thrival Indy Academy

article image placeholderIndia Johnson
India Johnson is a devoted educator from Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2017, she launched Thrival Academy as an IPS pilot program, and then the following year, Thrival Academy Indy was founded as the first school of its kind. So exciting as an educator myself. I'm just so inspired by the work you're doing. India, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us on the south by Southwest. Will Cast let's get started

Let's talk all things #education with @IndiaJohnson33 https://thrivalindy.org/

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@bowie
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:55

The story of Thrival Indy Academy

Can you tell the story of how Thrival Indie Academy came to be? I know that you ran a pilot program, but what sparked the idea initially, and how did you get to where you are today
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@bowie
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:22

A Black Wall Street for Education

As I speak, I'm watching the Countdown on the A Black Wall Street for Education Session page, which is the session you'll be speaking in at south by Southwest. Could you share a little bit about what folks can expect from this session and what you found most compelling participating as a Speaker
@bowie
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:53

Advice for educators who want to make a difference

Lastly, I know there are so many educators out in the world, myself included, that want to make a huge difference in the lives of their students. And I'm wondering wondering if you have any wisdom or lessons learned from all your experience in the world of education that you would like to pass on to educators out there right now
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@IndiaJohnson33
India Johnson
@IndiaJohnson33 · 1:43

Thrival Indy's Origin Story

So at that point, they connected with the people there, the founders of the program, and they were attracted to the model. And so then there was a search for someone who is from India. And at the time, I had gone to Grad school, got my Admin license, and had gone to the Harvard School Turnaround Institute. And I just really wanted to get my foot in the door. I did not anticipate that I would be founding an entire school
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@IndiaJohnson33
India Johnson
@IndiaJohnson33 · 0:39

A Black Wallstreet for Education

Sure. So the session, it already aired yesterday. I apologize for the delayed response, but it's up on Vimeo now, and I've put it up on social media and so have some other people. It was a conversation about about really taking the power back as Black educators, as Black education leaders and tapping into the abundant resources, the abundance of capital in our communities in order to fund the schools that our students deserve, the schools that are designed for and by people in the Black community
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@IndiaJohnson33
India Johnson
@IndiaJohnson33 · 2:58

Advice for Educators

You have to prioritize the wellness of every person involved, including you. As a leader. As a teacher, you have to be advocates for all students. You have to be honest about your biases. We all have them. You cannot support all students to the level that they need to the capacity that they need. If you cannot be honest about your biases, nothing is going to happen when you do. When you tell the truth to yourself about yourself, nothing will crumble
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@Swell
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15

Welcome to Swell!

@bowie
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 1:32

@IndiaJohnson33 Thank you!

And that the only way we can help take care of and be positive influences for all students is by modeling that behavior of self love and self care and honesty with ourselves. So I was over here clapping, listening to everything that you said, shaking my head up and down. And I'm just so inspired by what you're doing and being reminded that there are really wonderful people in education right now making spaces that are transformational for kids
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