In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Dr. Jamila Dugan—liberatory leadership coach, former teacher, and co-author of Street Data—to explore what it means to radically dream, lead, rest, and mother in an unjust world. Drawing from her upbringing in Oakland, Dr. Dugan shares how her early schooling experiences ignited her passion for equity and how her years in the classroom shaped her transformative vision of leadership. Together, we unpack the meaning of "radical dreaming" and why it’s an essential practice for educators committed to justice and liberation.
Dr. Dugan also reflects on the healing power of rest, the intentional parenting strategies she uses to affirm her children’s identities, and what inner peace looks like on the journey of self-discovery. Whether you're an educator, parent, or leader, this episode is a reminder of the liberating possibilities that exist when we lead with purpose, rest with intention, and dream without limits. To learn more about Jamila's work, you can visit her website at jamiladugan.com or follow her on LinkedIn.
BIO: Dr. Jamila Dugan is a leadership coach, learning facilitator, and researcher. She began her career as a teacher in Washington, D.C., successfully supporting her school to implement an International Baccalaureate program.
After being nominated for Teacher of the Year, she later served as a coach for new teachers in Oakland, California.
As a school administrator, Jamila championed equity-centered student services, parent empowerment, and co-led the development of the first public Mandarin immersion middle school in the Bay Area. Jamila and Shane began their work together seven years ago during the development of The Listening Leader, for which Jamila acted as the primary researcher. Jamila currently serves as an equity-centered leadership development coach across all sectors including nonprofits, public school districts, charter networks, and parochial and private schools.
She is an avid supporter of dual-language learning, serving on the boards of Independence Charter Spanish Immersion School in Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fresno State University, a master’s degree in early childhood education from George Mason University, and a doctorate in education leadership for equity from University of California, Berkeley. Jamila is also a loving wife and the mother of three amazing children who remain her constant inspiration for her work.
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