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14 Days. 14 Stories. One Game.
As we approach the official release of The Game of Education on 3.14.25 (STL Day), we’re celebrating the places and moments that made this game possible. Each day leading up to launch, I’m sharing a story about a location in and around St. Louis that played a key role in the development of this innovative professional learning tool.
Follow along as we highlight the key places and moments that shaped this journey. Each story represents a milestone, a lesson learned, and the incredible people who helped make The Game of Education a reality.
Day 14: Solo Journey, Collective Launch
When I started this countdown on March 1, I wanted to honor the places and people that helped shape The Game of Education. What I didn’t expect was how many of you would take this journey with me—commenting, sharing, and proving that this is bigger than just a game. As I’ve become more of an introvert, sharing my most personal thoughts and ideas wasn’t something I sought out. But you deserved more than just a product—you deserved to see the process, purpose, and intention behind it. This game is personal. It carries the weight of real decisions, challenges, and conversations in education and leadership—ones that have been long overdue. But more than anything, The Game of Education is intentional. It was never meant to just be played—it was meant to challenge, inform, and inspire action. Because the roads we travel alone are always more meaningful when they lead to something we can build together.
And with that, we have liftoff.
🚀 The Game of Education is officially here. 🚀
Day 13: Saint Louis University
With one day until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 13: Saint Louis University
There’s support, and then there’s SLU. Not only was Dr. Karen Hall the first superintendent to say yes in 2019 when I had an idea about the State of Black Educators Symposium, but Brother Ryan Wilson has been a consistent partner, opening doors for us to host events over the years. And Dr. Gary Ritter—one of the most welcoming and considerate deans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting—has reinforced what true collaboration looks like. Together, they represent a team and an institution that, if I retired tomorrow, I would be interested in joining. So when SLU’s College of Education jumped at the opportunity to further legitimize The Game of Education by sponsoring Scenario 11: Building Pathways to Higher Education, I knew this partnership was exactly what it was meant to be. For these reasons, it’s only right that we continue this collaboration by hosting the official Game of Education launch event at SLU’s Tegeler Hall tomorrow, March 14, from 4–7 PM.
Day 12: The Post Office
With 3 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 12: The Post Office
An enhanced appreciation for the post office was not on my bingo card as a result of this process, but here we are. This place has become more than a stop for shipping—it’s a part of the journey itself. This week, we set a new record for preorders and are now closing in on our first goal of shipping 100 units! Each box represents more than a game—it’s a commitment to obtaining more perspective while also enhancing decision-making in education. The post office staff have been so accommodating and supportive—one told me she was going to pray for success over every package, while another, recognizing me as family, called out, “ Scooda?!” reminding me how connected this process has been. And each time I hand over a package, it’s another affirmation—that someone, somewhere, values the hard work, the creativity, and the vision enough to invite it into their space. That alone makes every trip to the post office worth it. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about sending a package—it’s about delivering an experience.
Day 11: The Production Process
With 4 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 11: The Production Process
While my game manufacturer is far from St. Louis, they have been instrumental in bringing my vision to life. Seeing The Game of Education move from an idea to a fully produced, packaged, and distributed product is an experience beyond words. Back in elementary school, we all had those math word problems: “Isaiah hired a company to produce 500 units at X per unit, shipping costs Y per unit, and import fees are Z. What’s Isaiah’s total profit margin?” I’m now living such a equation while also helping my son Isaiah connect real-world application to his math homework. But this process has taught me something even deeper. Anyone can design a game, but can you embrace the notion that the production process doesn’t end when a unit is packaged—it ends when the results of these collaborative efforts bring moments of joy, connection, and learning to the colleagues, classmates, and families who have granted you the gift of their time.
Day 10: Public Libraries
With 5 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 10: St. Charles & St. Louis Public Libraries
Creating a game is one thing. Developing all the accompanying resources is an entirely different challenge. Every weekend when I could find a few hours, I found myself at St. Charles and St. Louis Public Libraries, spreading out every card, chart paper, and poster across tables and walls. These spaces became extended design studios, where I built the website, created guides, and developed the essential facilitator materials to ensure The Game of Education isn’t just played but experienced at the highest level. The result? A fully immersive professional learning tool designed for facilitators who require engaging, hands-on experiences for large teams.
Day 9: Art Hill at Forest Park
With 6 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 9: Art Hill at Forest Park
What makes The Game of Education different from other professional learning experiences is the creative process behind it. To bring this game to life, I didn’t just rely on traditional tools—I leveraged the latest technology to see things differently. Instead of being confined to a computer screen, I often stepped away from it, using the Apple Vision Pro to turn my surroundings into a canvas for creation. Designing in augmented reality allowed me to expand my perspective and engage in deep creative thinking, all while being surrounded by some of the most beautiful and inspiring locations in St. Louis. This will always be a reminder that the key to innovation is oftentimes changing the way you see the world.
Day 8: UMSL
With 7 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 8: UMSL
From earning my bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctorate degrees to now hosting the first live gameplay session of The Game of Education for nearly 200 attendees, the University of Missouri-St. Louis has been a cornerstone in my journey. Since October, I had been preparing to cultivate a hands-on professional learning experience to usher in the shift from The State of Black Educators Symposium to InDepth. UMSL provided the perfect space to make yet another vision become a reality. The overwhelmingly positive feedback after the game was facilitated reinforced what I already knew—this game is special and unlike anything that's out there. Thank you, UMSL, for your continuous support, partnership, and commitment to shaping education in and beyond St. Louis. [Special thanks to Lilly & Rachel for your fantastic work]
Day 7: Home Sweet Home
With 8 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this game to life.
Day 7: Home Sweet Home
Too often, I leave home when it’s dark, and return when it’s dark again. Most people don’t see the sacrifices made daily, the long hours, the criticism for doing what's right, the constant navigation and standing up against foolishness. But one thing is for certain—what lies in this home keeps me grounded. No longer are decisions made unilaterally. They are family decisions. We forgive, we challenge, we console, and we support one another. So if Daddy has an idea, he doesn't proceed unless we all proceed. My oldest son is the Director of Gameplay. My daughter is the Director of Design and Purchasing. My youngest two sons are the Directors of Hilarity and my Wife is the Director of Everything Else. This is home, where our “work” is to remain together, regardless of the games.
Day 6: Cugino’s
With 9 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 6: Cugino’s – More Than a Restaurant
This journey has been shaped not only by places but by the people who played a pivotal role in bringing The Game of Education to life. One of those individuals is Dr. Kevin Starks—a brother for about ten years, whose story of stepping outside the box and following God’s plan has been an inspiration. On October 30th, I met with Dr. Starks, who may have thought it was just a casual lunch, but I must credit him as one of the first to see the excitement on my face when discussing the game in its early stages. He encouraged me to follow such passion. Moments like this remind me that success isn’t just about vision—it’s about having a village that no only challenges you, but pushes you to be better. Having the right people in your corner makes all the difference. I appreciate you, bro.
Day 5: The Wizard’s Wagon
With 10 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 5: The Wizard’s Wagon
To bring this game to life, I had to tap into the board game community and better understand what makes a game engaging, strategic, and fun. Every Wednesday night, The Wizard’s Wagon in the Delmar Loop hosts a St. Louis Board Game Meetup from 6-8pm. That’s where I immersed myself in gamesmanship, learning firsthand what board game enthusiasts love (and dislike) about board games. This group was diverse in every way—different backgrounds, different gaming experiences, different perspectives. But one thing stood out: the importance of joy. The Game of Education had to be more than just an informative or educational tool—it had to be an experience that brings people together. Because at the end of the day, joy is something all educators deserve.
Day 4: IKEA St. Louis
With 11 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 4: IKEA St. Louis
When I made the decision to seriously pursue creating a game, I went to IKEA St. Louis—not for furniture, but for inspiration. I wanted to visualize a color scheme and explore logo ideas, so I walked the aisles looking for anything that sparked creativity. Then, I came across them Trinidad James, gold coasters—and immediately loved the look. But something was missing. As I continued through the store, I found a sleek black plastic piece, and when I placed the gold coaster on top of it, I knew. That was the color scheme. What started as a simple visit turned into a defining moment for The Game of Education. Today, these same coasters and black centerpiece are used every time I facilitate the game—a small but major detail that ties back to the very beginning.
Day 3: Sunny Street Café
With 12 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing my journey of sharing 14 places in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 3: Sunny Street Café
On Saturday, December 21st, The Game of Education was playtested for the very first time at Sunny Street Café. This incredible group of teachers, administrators, board game enthusiasts, parents, business owners, and consultants weren’t just the first to experience the game—they shaped it. Their honest feedback challenged me to refine key aspects of gameplay, including revamping the Scorecard, which is now 100% better because of their insights. This session was proof that collaboration, just like in education, leads to stronger outcomes. A huge shoutout to the staff at Sunny Street Café, who went above and beyond to accommodate us and make this experience even more memorable.
Day 2: Church on the Rock
With 13 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’m continuing with 14 consecutive days of posts about a place in and around our city that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life.
Day 2: Church on the Rock
I have attended Church on the Rock for over 10 years. But last year, I took a new step—I started serving as a cameraman. In doing so, I leaned into walking in my purpose and using the gifts God gave me. At the time, I had no idea that just three months later, I’d be inspired to create a game. But looking back, the process of surrendering and deepening my faith was already underway. Serving on the Creative Arts team has been a constant reminder that when you focus on using the gifts He has placed in you, He will take care of the rest.
Day 1: Creve Coeur Park
With 14 days until the official release of The Game of Education—on STL Day (3.14)—I’ll be posting every day about a place in and around St. Louis that played a role in bringing this innovative professional learning tool to life. The launch date is no accident—STL has shaped this game in more ways than one, and this countdown is a tribute to our city.
Day 1: Creve Coeur Park
This journey started with a simple conversation. During one of our early morning walks at Creve Coeur Park in October 2024, I first verbalized the idea for The Game of Education to my father. That conversation set everything in motion. From concept to reality, it all started with this conversation.
What is The Game of Education?
More Than A Game
The Game of Education is an interactive professional learning tool designed to simulate real-world educational dilemmas. It challenges players—teachers, administrators, board members, and other stakeholders—to navigate complex decisions while balancing strategy, influence, and collaboration.
Built on game theory principles, this experience provides powerful insights into leadership, negotiation, and decision-making within the world of education. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or community leader, this game will challenge how you think about power, cooperation, and problem-solving in education.
Preorder The Game of Education!
The Game of Education is now available for purchase!