{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 201: Finding Scholarships & Helping Black Students Thrive with Steph Jones","description":"What if helping our children succeed in school starts with making sure they believe they belong there? In this episode of Brown Mama Bear, host Shanera Williamson sits down with Steph Jones, better known as The Scholarship Bestie, to talk about what Black children need to thrive in school\u2014and how families can find the financial resources to help them pursue their college dreams. With more than 20 years of experience as an educator, Steph brings a unique perspective to the conversation. She's not just helping students find scholarships. She's thinking deeply about how schools shape children's confidence, how discipline can affect their sense of belonging, and why encouragement matters. We discuss the reality that Black students often face harsher discipline than their peers and how the fear of punishment can influence the way children see themselves as learners. Steph also shares her experience pursuing graduate studies in education policy through an HBCU and how her passion for education led her to become The Scholarship Bestie, helping families discover scholarships and navigate the cost of college. In this episode, we explore: Why encouragement and belonging are essential to Black children's academic success How school discipline can influence students' confidence and identity What parents should understand about creating supportive learning environments The importance of HBCUs and education policy How families can find scholarships and make college more affordable Why preparing our children for college involves more than grades and test scores Whether you're raising a young child or preparing a teenager for college, this conversation will help you think differently about educational success and the opportunities available to your family. Connect with Steph Jones, The Scholarship Bestie: the_scholarship_bestie Apple\/Spotify: What happens when Black children begin to see school as a place where they're more likely to be disciplined than encouraged? And how can parents help them build the confidence and access the opportunities they deserve? In this episode of Brown Mama Bear, Shanera Williamson welcomes Steph Jones, known online as The Scholarship Bestie. A veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience, Steph has made it her mission to help students and families navigate scholarships, financial aid, and the journey to college. But her work is about more than finding money for school. Shanera and Steph discuss the ways educational environments shape Black children's sense of belonging and academic identity. They explore how disproportionate discipline can affect students' confidence, why encouragement matters, and what it means to create learning environments where Black children can flourish. Steph also shares her experience pursuing graduate studies in education policy at an HBCU and how she turned her passion for helping students into a platform that connects families with scholarship opportunities. This conversation is a reminder that preparing our children for success means nurturing both their belief in themselves and their access to opportunity. Connect with The Scholarship Bestie: https:\/\/linktr.ee\/sjwriteslit ","author_name":"Brown Mama Bear","author_url":"http:\/\/brownmamabear.libsyn.com","html":"