The Stories We Save: The Exit Interview at the Schomburg
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Asia Lyons celebrates a monumental eight-year milestone as The Exit Interview becomes the first-ever podcast permanently archived at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
- The podcast originated from Dr. Lyons' own 2018 exit interview and the profound relief she felt upon leaving the profession.
- Across ninety-three episodes, the podcast shifted from a simple narrative of burnout to a complex exploration of misogynoir, anti-Blackness, colorism, and the journey back to wellness.
- The Schomburg Center is now preserving these testimonies of Black educators as a living historical record.
- Dr. Lyons introduces The Exit Interview Archive Project to invite institutions and individuals to help sustain and amplify Black educator narratives.
In this special episode of The Exit Interview, Dr. Asia Lyons shares a milestone eight years in the making: the podcast's permanent archival at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the first podcast ever accepted into its collection. She traces the story back to her own 2018 exit interview, the moment of relief that sparked the idea to give other Black educators a chance to tell their truth. Ninety-three episodes later, what began as a search for a simple narrative of racism and burnout revealed something far more layered: misogynoir, anti-Blackness, colorism, and the slow, hard-won return to joy and wellness after harm. Now, with the Schomburg preserving these testimonies as living historical record, Dr. Lyons introduces what's next: The Exit Interview Archive Project, an invitation to institutions and individuals to help carry Black educator stories further into the world. As she puts it, the stories we save, save us.
First of all.... have you signed up for our newsletter, Black Educators, Be Well? Why wait?
Amidst all the conversations about recruiting Black educators, where are the discussions about retention? The Exit Interview podcast was created to elevate the stories of Black educators who have been pushed out of the classroom and central office while experiencing racism-related stress and racial battle fatigue.
The Exit Interview Podcast is for current and former Black educators. It is also for school districts, teachers' unions, families, and others interested in better understanding the challenges of retaining Black people in education.
Please enjoy the episode.
Peace out,
Dr. Asia Lyons
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of The Exit Interview podcast being archived at the Schomburg Center?
It marks the first time a podcast has ever been accepted into the permanent collection at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, cementing the lived experiences of Black educators as a living historical record.
Who is the host of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators?
The podcast is hosted and produced by Dr. Asia Lyons, an educator and researcher dedicated to honoring the truths and wellness of Black educators.
What themes are explored in The Exit Interview podcast?
The podcast examines the reasons Black educators leave the profession, addressing systemic issues such as misogynoir, anti-Blackness, colorism, and racial battle fatigue, while prioritizing healing and joy.
What is The Exit Interview Archive Project?
Introduced by Dr. Asia Lyons, it is an initiative that invites individuals and institutions to support carrying the powerful stories of Black educators further into the world.
