Education policy works best when the people most affected by it are a voice at the table. In this episode of The Government Fix, Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria sits down with Dr. David Johns to explore what it really takes to build an education system that serves all children.

Drawing on his experience as a former classroom teacher, congressional staffer, and leader of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, Dr. Johns explains why proximity matters in policymaking—and how decisions made far from students’ lived realities often fail them.

Now Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and host of the Teach the Babies podcast, Dr. Johns continues to challenge systems that silence young people—especially Black students, LGBTQIA+ youth, and those from marginalized communities.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

David Johns is the executive director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a civil rights organization advancing the empowerment of Black LGBTQ+/SGL people, including those living with HIV/AIDS. He previously served as the first executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans under President Barack Obama. Johns has held senior education policy roles in the U.S. Senate and the Congressional Black Caucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

• National Black Justice Collective: https://nbjc.org
• Teach the Babies Podcast: https://teachthebabies.org

ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT FIX:

The Government Fix is a podcast by Code for America, the country’s leading civic tech nonprofit for over 15 years. Hosted by CEO Amanda Renteria, we explore what it looks like when government works well for everyone.

Explore all episodes and learn more: codeforamerica.org/thegovernmentfix

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@codeforamerica/podcasts

Transcript available here: https://codeforamerica.org/podcast/the-government-fix-for-education/

The Government Fix is a podcast from Code for America, the country’s leading civic tech nonprofit. Learn more about our work at codeforamerica.org.