Code Switch and School Colors will partner on a limited series. Brandon Watson/NPR hide caption

Code Switch and School Colors will partner on a limited series.

May 2, 2022; Washington, D.C. — Today Code Switch, NPR's flagship podcast on race and identity, announced a limited run narrative collaboration with School Colors, produced by Brooklyn Deep. In its acclaimed first season, School Colors analyzed how race, class, and power shape American cities and schools; in season two, hosts Mark Winston Griffith and Max Freedman take listeners to the most diverse place in the planet–New York City School District 28 in Queens–to find out why the area's parents opposed a suggested school diversity plan. The first episode will publish on May 4, and you can listen to the trailer here.

"We're delighted to have this great reporting and storytelling from Max and Mark — they took an issue that involves race and education and so many things that are important to our audience and to our country right now, and made it compelling and engaging," said Executive Producer of Code Switch and NPR Education Steve Drummond. "This project aligns perfectly with Code Switch's mission to partner with and uplift independent creators who are thinking critically about these issues."

Find Code Switch on Twitter and Instagram.

Find Brooklyn Deep on Twitter and Instagram.

Code Switch Presents School Colors will run in the Code Switch feed. The first two episodes will air on Wednesdays in place of regular Code Switch episodes, and the remaining seven episodes will run on Fridays, in addition to Code Switch's Wednesday programming.

"Code Switch and NPR have long been my go-to sources for news and a critical analysis of the issues I care most about, and I know that's true for countless others across the country," said Winston Griffith. "Since the first season, all Max and I really wanted was for people to hear our stories, so being amplified by Code Switch is literally a dream come true."

Freedman added, "School Colors started five years ago as a passion project, a moonshot. Getting to make a second season with NPR and Code Switch is beyond my wildest expectations. If you thought the first season was ambitious, get ready: we've interviewed more than 100 people for this season, and I can't wait to share some of their stories with a national audience."

What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.

Brooklyn Deep is a digital journalism platform produced by people who have a personal stake in the future of Central Brooklyn. Trained journalists and untrained residents alike tell their stories and publish investigative news, analysis, and data that chronicle neighborhood change in Central Brooklyn and bring transparency to the exercise of institutional power.

NPR's rigorous reporting and unsurpassed storytelling connect with millions of Americans every day — on the air, online, and in person. NPR strives to create a more informed public — one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas, and cultures. With a nationwide network of award-winning journalists and 17 international bureaus, NPR and its Member Stations are never far from where a story is unfolding. Listeners can find NPR by tuning in to their local Member stations (npr.org/stations), and now it's easy to listen to our stories on smart speaker devices. Ask your smart speaker to, "Play NPR," and you'll be tuned into your local Member station's live stream. Your speaker can also access NPR podcasts, NPR One, NPR News Now, and the Visual Newscast is available for screened speakers. Get more information at npr.org/about and by following NPR Extra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Emma Gordon, NPR Media Relations