In this first year, I have to go into vision and strategy. I’m going to have to reform and upgrade and repair some of the things that need to be fixed. I can’t jump to equity, access, and sustainability until I take care of business. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

Memphis City Schools new superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash joined the Tri-State Defender Editorial Board in an hour-long Q&A on Monday, just prior to his formal reception at the MCS Teaching and Learning Center. After expounding on his leadership model, he noted four literacies necessary to make our students the “new Memphis nexus” — personal literacy, civic literacy, academic literacy and occupational literacy.

Here is an edited version of the conversation...