“I think that’s really what education is about, you know, providing opportunity.”
Dr. Jonathan Quash
Executive Director, Music Educator
“I just happened to really believe in the power of the arts and how the arts can help transform a person’s life. “
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Quash, University Executive Director for the Black Male Initiative at CUNY, whose roots in Jamaica, Queens shaped a lifelong belief that education is a communal responsibility. From the church pews to the Cub Scouts to the classroom, Dr. Quash was surrounded by Black educators who modeled the “lift as we climb” philosophy, and he has spent his career doing exactly that. As a music educator and administrator, he has faced doubt and resistance at every turn, only to respond by creating his own stages and opportunities for students to shine.
“I think the challenge right now for us in education and in Black America is finding real leadership and making sure we follow that because that’s the hard part.”
Dr. Quash is sounding the alarm on the current state of Black education, where funding is being cut, Black history is being removed from curricula, and culturally focused programs are quietly being rebranded out of existence. But his vision for the future is clear: education must evolve to meet students where they are, equipping them with financial literacy, life skills, and mentorship from day one. For Dr. Quash, Black educators are not just teachers — they are lifelines.
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