“There were teachers who really saw me, and that made all the difference. But sometimes, I felt like I had to shrink just to fit in.” - DJ, 2025 Join me in this powerful, raw conversation with my son, DJ, as we unpack his K–12 experience through the lens of the Three V’s of Representation — Visibility, Voice, and Validation (see Episode 2 for the full framework). Hear firsthand how identity, family support, and authentic representation shaped his journey navigating predominantly white schools, and why these themes matter now more than ever for educators and parents alike. ▶️ Tune in, reflect, and learn how we can create truly inclusive schools where every student is seen, heard, and valued. Hashtags  #EducationalEquity #RepresentationMatters #VoiceVisibilityValidation #InclusiveEducation #BlackStudentExperience #Validation, #Visibility #TeacherTalk #RealTalk #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EducationalLeadership #DrRuthieSpeaks #StudentVoice  #KeepingItRealWithDrRuthiePodcast #K12Education