In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Jones, a native New Yorker and Harvard Graduate School of Education master’s candidate whose life is a vibrant tapestry of history, education, and hospitality. Amanda takes us through the high-stakes world of New York City education, reflecting on her four years in the classroom—including a remarkable year spent managing thirty kindergartners on her own. We transition from the classroom to the selective world of private school admissions, where Amanda offers a rare glimpse into the process, discussing how a "bad day" can alter a child's path and how equity remains a pressing challenge when traditional requirements inadvertently disqualify marginalized youth.
Central to Amanda’s intellectual journey is her groundbreaking research on The Brownies’ Book, the pioneering 1920s magazine launched by W.E.B. Du Bois, Augustus Granville Dill, and Jessie Redmon Fauset. As one of the only secondary sources on this historic periodical, Amanda’s thesis explores how the magazine used stories and poems to foster pride and self-respect in Black youth. She shares her exciting plans to expand this research into a book, ensuring that the legacy of the first magazine specifically designed for Black children continues to inspire future generations.
Beyond her academic achievements, Amanda shares the personal narratives that shaped her identity, from her parents' beautiful love story to her childhood at the iconic Waldorf Astoria. She paints a vivid picture of meeting children in the hotel lobby and leading them to the grand ballroom, a testament to her lifelong ability to build community. The conversation reaches a heartfelt crescendo as she discusses her father’s legacy in Black entrepreneurship, her mother’s unwavering trust, and a surprise tribute from her partner. From being a founding team member of Harvard’s first color guard to her work at the Schomburg Center, Amanda embodies a leadership style grounded in history and soaring toward a future in museum education.
