PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School
PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School
Podcast Description
PEER TALK is a fresh new podcast emerging from the halls of Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School. At Beyond the Fog Radio, we recognized the need for a platform designed for and by middle school students — where youth can develop their voices and share their perspectives.
Located in Bayview—Hunters Point, in San Francisco — a neighborhood historically comprised of African-American families — Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School carries the name of former San Francisco Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, who has devoted himself to the well-being of others.
In the wake of the 2024 Election, we realized just how critical it is to equip students with the confidence to speak out, learn from community leaders, and dive into civic engagement — preparing them to become the next wave of local and global change-makers. Each guest on PEER TALK is chosen to align with the students’ coursework, bringing lessons to life through real-world experiences.
Beyond the Fog Radio is thrilled to present PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School: a space for the next generation of community leaders to explore, learn, and inspire, right here in San Francisco.
===
(Peer Talk theme music composed by Ja'Leiyah Wright and Guillermina "GiGi" Arroyo)
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes of civic engagement, community leadership, and personal development with episodes showcasing interviews with local politicians and cultural figures. For instance, topics covered include the experiences of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon in Congress and the creative journey of Margo Hall, focusing on how their backgrounds inform their professional paths and community contributions.
PEER TALK is a fresh new podcast emerging from the halls of Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School. At Beyond the Fog Radio, we recognized the need for a platform designed for and by middle school students — where youth can develop their voices and share their perspectives.
Located in Bayview—Hunters Point, in San Francisco — a neighborhood historically comprised of African-American families — Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School carries the name of former San Francisco Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, who has devoted himself to the well-being of others.
In the wake of the 2024 Election, we realized just how critical it is to equip students with the confidence to speak out, learn from community leaders, and dive into civic engagement — preparing them to become the next wave of local and global change-makers. Each guest on PEER TALK is chosen to align with the students’ coursework, bringing lessons to life through real-world experiences.
Beyond the Fog Radio is thrilled to present PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School: a space for the next generation of community leaders to explore, learn, and inspire, right here in San Francisco.
(Peer Talk theme music composed by Ja’Leiyah Wright and Guillermina “GiGi” Arroyo)
At the age of 13, Bayview-Hunters Point native Theo Ellington lost his cousin to gun violence; from that point forward, he committed himself to uplifting his neighborhood. After deciding to work in San Francisco politics, Ellington served various commission posts under San Francisco Mayors Gavin Newsom, Ed Lee, and London Breed. As Community Investment and Infrastructure Commissioner, he helped to create over 1,000 new affordable homes and restore over $50 million in city investments for minority- and women-owned businesses. Later, as the Golden State Warriors’ first Director of Public Affairs, he played an important role in bringing the team to the Chase Center. He is now the Executive Director of the Ruth Williams Opera House, as well as policy director at the law firm Brownstein. He lives with his wife and children in the Bayview — two blocks away from his childhood home.
In October 2025, Ellington announced his candidacy for District 10 Supervisor in the upcoming 2026 election — and since District 10 includes the Bayview, the seventh grade students of Willie Brown Middle School were eager to speak to him about his life, his mission, and his plans to make their neighborhood better for everyone. We hope you enjoy this interview with a local hero of Bayview-Hunters Point, Theo Ellington!
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.