We had the good fortune of connecting with Dahni Austin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dahni, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I was raised to understand the importance of prioritizing school to receive a good education because education has always been my main priority – consistently on the principal’s honor roll. After all, I have always received straight A’s and got involved in every program that I deemed important to help my community while focusing on my goals for my future. Starting my freshman year of high school I wrote down what I deemed as success and set a goal for myself each day to make sure I was getting closer to my dream of success. I believe the habit of setting a goal each day and making sure to complete it before I go to sleep is the main habit that has helped me succeed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
During my freshman year, I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. I learned from this experience how crucial it is to stand up and advocate for change.

Although I was incredibly uncomfortable speaking in front of large crowds, I realized that what I was learning was crucial, and I had to push myself to do so to support other students. The students got together and addressed the history teacher at my school, urging them to visit Washington, D.C., and check out the museum to learn more about what we had learned. They began auditing their curriculum and making changes after the teachers had returned. Meeting with Denver Public Schools (DPS) District officials frequently to discuss the significance of changing the curriculum. Covid-19 happened and George Floyd was murdered, three students and myself decided to start a podcast called “Know Justice Know Peace; The Take” (KJKP). Our first series focused on the minority experience through a youth perspective, we discussed Independence Day and the generational trauma that affects the Black race. After our first season, we got recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. We were guests on The Today Show, Tokyo Broadcasting, White House Education Board, CNN, Fox News, magazines, podcast platforms, and radio stations. While this was a huge achievement with our notoriety came hate mail and death threats. This did not stop me from wanting to speak out for social justice, though; rather, it gave me the confidence to know that this shift was necessary.

That led to the creation of the KJKP Resolution being unanimously passed on October 22nd, 2020 by the DPS Board of Education. The resolution proclaimed that the DPS Board of Education had to recognize the huge lack of racial representation in history classes being taught in DPS, including acknowledging that DPS has to create a more culturally representative, and relevant curriculum for K-12 students. The KJKP Resolution specifies the importance of infusing representation of Black, Indigenous, Asian, LatinX, and other’s history in all content areas within DPS. I want to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society.

There was a lawsuit with Denver Public Schools because they wanted to have control over the podcast and change our faces so we couldn’t make podcasts on our account anymore because we were students in DPS. Once winning the lawsuit we decided to make our own business where we could make podcast episodes and help other students use there voice to make changes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area and I wanted to show them the best time ever I would have to take them down to Colorado Springs and spend two days down there. Come spend one day hiking and admiring the nature at different parks we have here like the Rocky Mountain National Park. The other days they are here I would take them to restaurants like the Standley food market and maybe check to some of the buildings downtown. I would also ask them if there is anything else they would like to do for fun while they are down here like Boondocks or Dave and Busters.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Heartfelt gratitude to Kimberly Grayson, whose unwavering encouragement and excellent insights guided everyone through the process of producing this work. Kimberly Grayson’s mentorship has kept all of the women of the podcast striving and having the courage, drive, and passion to undertake this work.

My grandmother Ava Ector for her constant encouragement throughout our journey. Thank you for always being a source of strength for us and instilling in us the courage to achieve our dreams. Your constant support has meant everything.

Website: https://www.unrestrictedrevolution.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dahniaustin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AHRRNETWORK

Other: KJKP Documentary https://youtu.be/AEI_aahA3eU?si=dSL7Uf5O5D6D74de

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