Grits and Eggs Podcast EPISODE 100 - GRITS & GRANNY
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Nov 11, 2025 Dr. Cynthia Tolles, an educator and community leader with a rich history in teaching and local politics, shares her inspiring journey. She recounts growing up in Gaston during segregation and the upheaval of civil rights. Discussing her transition from teacher to principal, she emphasizes the importance of representation and civic engagement. Dr. Tolles also highlights the need for community involvement in local politics and the significance of trades in uplifting youth. Her experiences abroad and as a city council member provide a unique lens on service and education.
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Prioritize Trades For Economic Mobility
- Get a trade or tangible skill rather than assuming college is the only path to success.
- Learn a sustainable, marketable trade so you can earn and start a business anywhere.
Build Toward Law School With Paralegal Training
- Use paralegal coursework as a practical foundation before attempting law school.
- Recognize law school exams are high-stakes; build preparatory skills first.
Being The Only Black Teacher
- Cynthia described being the only Black teacher and feeling passive hostility from colleagues.
- She confronted exclusion by focusing on teaching and telling them she came to teach children, not color.
