Author, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and advocate for at-risk youth Rodney Walker gave a passionate TED Talk in Independence, Kansas about understanding children in urban areas in order to better educate them.

In this TED Talk released today, Walker believes that educators must understand poverty to reach children in poor economic areas.

Domestic gun violence in cities goes beyond the family and extends into the classroom, according to Walker.

“A child could be battling behavior issues, drug users at home, no heat or running water, and a plethora of other poverty-related issues that may lead to the dysfunction in the class,” he explained.