Amplify 2024

Great Jobs KC Founder and CEO Earl Martin Phalen introduced Dr. Bettina Love. A leading speaker in education, Dr. Love covers a wide range of topics, including abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, educational reparations, and using art education to foster youth civic engagement.

Brown v. Board of Education at 70 years — Gerard Robinson

The Brown v. Board of Education decision turned 70 years old on May 17, 2024. This monumental decision opened the school doors to meaningful conversations about access, learning opportunities, and equity. However, the pursuit of those goals by Black families, educators, and their allies did not start until the 1950s or 1940s. What culminated in the Brown decisions (of 1954 and 1955) were 100-plus years of legal and legislative campaigns initiated in the North and South. This session focused on lessons we can learn from what educators and families did leading up to and after Brown to help us with the work in classrooms today and into the future.

Building Responsive Goals: A Simulation Workshop for Charter Authorizers and School Leaders* — Vashaunta Harris

In this presentation, Ms. Harris guided participants through a 4-step process that empowers them to move beyond state assessments and create goals aligned with global access, academics, mission, and equity. In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, traditional metrics of school performance often fall short of capturing the full scope of student engagement and success. The A-GAME Responsive Goals Simulation Workshop offered a hands-on experience for charter authorizers and school leaders to collaboratively design meaningful, context-specific performance goals. Participants engaged in role-playing scenarios, data analysis, and collaborative goal-setting exercises using fictional case studies, gaining practical tools to implement responsive goals that reflect the unique needs of their schools and communities.

* this session is invite-only for principals

Classrooms to Board Rooms — Pamela Webb

Participants explored how retired and current educators can leverage their skills and experiences to become valuable assets on community boards and discovered the essential roles of organization, resourcefulness, and understanding educational trends in effective board service. Through personal testimonies and insightful case students, participants learned how they can make a meaningful impact in local governance. This session aimed to empower educators interested in community leadership roles, providing practical insights and inspiration for becoming effective board members.

Cultivating Authenticity through Hip Hop Literacy — Dr. Lamont Muhammad and Asha Moore

In this interactive session, participants gained an understanding of arts integration and how it is used to connect an art form to an academic subject area. Participants engaged in an interactive writing activity that uses an aspect of hip hop culture and writing lyrics/rap that encourages genuine self-expression. Participants left the session with a method to apply the hip hop writing process within a classroom or professional setting.

Is Workplace Authenticity an Illusion? — Dr. Howard Fields

This session explored the complex tensions educators face between inner truths and externally-imposed assumptions about identity. By processing experiences of conforming to restrictive professional norms, participants examined how assimilationist workplace cultures can exact deep personal and systemic costs, inflicting racial trauma and cultural erasure. Participants engaged in reflective activities and courageous conversations to co-construct solutions for fostering inclusive environments where multifaceted identities, talents, and social activism can fully thrive.

Literacy Champions: Parents as Partners in Student Success — Catina Taylor

‘Literacy Champions: Parents as Partners in Student Success’ explored actionable strategies for educators and administrators to engage parents in boosting students’ reading skills. This interactive workshop covered organizing fun and engaging literacy nights, establishing school, district, and community literacy hubs, and implementing Parent Universities to empower parents to tutor their children at home. Participants discovered innovative ways to create strong parent-educator partnerships that enhance literacy outcomes for students and left with practical tools and ideas to foster a supportive and collaborative literacy environment within their communities.

RECHARGE, RE-ENERGIZE, & REIMAGINE: Unleashing Innovative Potential in Education — Dr. Richard Abram II and Deon Whitten

‘RECHARGE, RE-ENERGIZE, & REIMAGINE: Unleashing Innovative Potential in Education’ was a dynamic 70-minute session designed to inspire educators to think creatively and collaboratively. Led by Dr. Richard Abram II and Deon Whitten, this workshop used a business start-up weekend model to foster innovation in educational practices. Participants broke into diverse groups to brainstorm, develop, and pitch new ideas aimed at addressing current challenges in education. The session culminated in group pitches, feedback, and discussions on practical implementation. Participants left with recharged passion for teaching, re-energized strategies, and reimagined ideas for the future of education.

Re-energize Your Garden: Cultivating Self-care Strategies for Black Women in Education — Dr. Mallory McCoy, Aisha Williams, and Chardaneè Harvey

‘Re-energize Your Garden’ was an empowering session for Black women educators focusing on self-care strategies to balance teaching and leadership demands. Participants gained practical tools to cultivate inner peace through mindfulness, nurture health through holistic practices, grow a supportive network, harvest personal strengths, and enrich their spirits creatively. This session combined interactive activities and reflective exercises. Participants left with a personalized self-care plan and renewed purpose, ready to impact their community while prioritizing their well-being.

Strategies for Retaining Black Teachers — Trinity Davis, Diazhane Ellis, and Sylvester Holmes II

Participants learned strategies for retaining Black teachers in the classroom. Teachers shared proven methods and strategies for retention.

Student Panel — facilitated by Javen Betts

Superintendent Panel — Dr. Marj Williams, Dr. Jermaine Wilson, Dr. Judith Campbell, April Sutherland, Penelope Martin-Knox, Dr. Stacy King, and Harrison Neal

Superintendent’s Action Planning

The Power of Connection: Building a Community of Support — Dr. Centurion Johnson, Coach Trina Lewis, and Dr. Susan Wilson

This session was designed to create a supportive environment for sharing, healing, and personal growth, as well as an opportunity to explore personal challenges offering attendees a structured yet compassionate setting for self-expression, listening, and connection with others. Led by a skilled therapist, the group engaged in guided discussions, reflective exercises, and supportive feedback that foster empathy and resilience. Participants experienced a mix of sharing, listening, and practical coping strategies that can be used beyond the session.

The Science of Leading for Transformational Instruction in High-Needs Schools* — Dr. Shaun Woodly

How can you dramatically transform your approach and impact on student achievement? What tools and strategies are essential for success in challenging school environments? For K-12 leaders, this session unveiled cutting-edge learning strategies tailored specifically for high-needs schools. Guided by renowned educator and author Dr. Shaun Woodly, participants uncovered the magic that occurs when brain science aligns with research-backed educational strategy.

* this session is invite-only for principals

Unlocking Brilliance: Embracing Neurodiversity for a Future of Innovation — Ivory Duncan

‘Unlocking Brilliance: Embracing Neurodiversity for a Future of Innovation’ was a dynamic workshop designed to inspire and empower. Participants dove into the transformative potential of neurodiversity, learning how diverse minds drive creativity and progress. Through engaging discussions and thought-provoking activities, participants explored strategies to foster inclusive environments that celebrate unique strengths. Participants gained insight into creating supportive spaces where every student can thrive and contribute to innovative solutions.

Who Gets the Best of You? — Amber Buck

In this session, participants slowed down and focused on the question, “Who gets the best of you?” and finding a different answer than, “My job.” Participants learned how to start modeling gentleness, rest, and reflection with their own personal goals and growth. In the words of Michelle Obama, “It’s okay to tend to your well-being with the same vigor you bring to your fiercest convictions.”

Youth Participatory Action Research: A Kansas City Case Study — Rhonda J. Broussard

Kansas City Star Toriano Porter talked teaching with award-winning educator, veteran, and public speaker Ms. Joyce Abbott.

Joyce Abbott

Retired Educator, Public Speaker

Joyce Marie Abbott was born and raised in Philadelphia where she educated within the School District of Philadelphia. She is a devoted mother of one 37-year-old arts educator and entrepreneur, Janeé Latrice Abbott-Mendez.

Ms. Abbott is a dynamic, retired educator who has enthusiastically served the district since 1996. Prior to her employment with the district, Ms. Abbott served in the military for 10 years as a soldier in the United States Army, where she earned the rank of staff sergeant. While in the Army, she completed a 10-month tour in the Persian Gulf War.

After being honorably discharged with several awards, Ms. Abbott was selected to be a candidate in one of the first cohorts of the nationally regarded Troops to Teachers program. Ms. Abbott attributes her effective disciplinary practices to her military experience. Ms. Abbott has been nominated for several teaching awards due to her exemplary instructional practices and classroom management. In 2004, 2005, and 2007, Ms. Abbott was included in the ‘Who’s Who Among America’s Finest Teachers’. Additionally, she has been featured in the Philadelphia Daily News as ‘An Everyday Hero’ and her classrooms have been featured on major Philadelphia news outlets. In the summer of 2024, Ms. Abbott was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who in America for her noteworthy achievements that have proved to be of significant value to society.

In addition to mentoring teachers, Ms. Abbott has served in many leadership capacities. She retired in 2022 as the climate manager at Andrew Hamilton School. Under her leadership, the school was awarded by the School District of Philadelphia for Outstanding Strides in School Climate & Culture. In 2022, Ms. Abbott learned that she was the inspiration behind the name for the hit TV show, Abbott Elementary, created by her former student, Quinta Brunson. Since then, Ms. Abbott has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, Access Hollywood, Celebrity Family Feud, Good Morning America, along with received full spreads in the LA Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Daily News, to name a few!

In September 2023, the prominent Philadelphia intersection that is home to Overbrook High School (59th Lancaster Avenue) was renamed Joyce Abbott Way and September 26 was designated ‘Joyce Abbott Day’ by the City of Philadelphia.

Ms. Abbott enjoys being part of positive and productive change, particularly as it relates to student populations. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Master of Education from Cheyney University.

Ms. Abbott’s first ever published work, “Teaching, the Ms. Abbott Way: Lessons in Learning, Leadership & Life!” is set for a Fall 2024 release.

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Dr. Richard Abram II
He/Him/His

Assistant Principal, Kansas City Public Schools

Dr. Richard Abram, II, Ed.D., is an accomplished educator and leader with over 15 years of experience in K-12 education. He holds a doctoral degree in K-12 leadership and a DEI graduate certificate from Rockhurst University.

Dr. Abram is dedicated to fostering inclusive and innovative educational environments. His research focuses on instructional practices and relationship elements that promote resilience among students. Dr. Abram is passionate about supporting first-generation, minority, and non-traditional students, continually striving to improve the field of academia through evidence-based practices and pedagogy.

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Javen Betts

Teacher, Shawnee Mission School District

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Rhonda J. Broussard

Founder, CEO, Beloved Community

Rhonda J. Broussard is an author, entrepreneur, and futurist. She is the founder and CEO of Beloved Community and previously founded a network of language immersion, IB schools with French, Spanish, and Mandarin instruction. Broussard is a Highland Leader, a Tulane Mellow Fellow, a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow. Broussard has earned degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and New York University. She is the author of One Good Question: How Countries Prepare Youth to Lead. Broussard and her bilingual family live in her native Louisiana where she also studies African diaspora dance.

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Amber Buck

Amber Buck is a native of Kansas City, Kansas and 2000 graduate of Sumner Academy. She has more than a decade of experience in education spaces from Los Angeles to Tampa, Shreveport to Baton Rouge, and throughout the KC Metro.

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Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace

President & CEO, Kauffman Foundation

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Dr. Judith Campbell

Deputy Superintendent, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

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Trinity Davis

President & Founder, Teachers Like Me

Trinity Davis as been a teacher, literacy coach, associate professor, assistant superintendent, and now president and founder of Teachers Like Me. Davis has taught elementary grades in Topeka Public Schools, Blue Valley Public Schools, and Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. She has been a consultant for middle school principals  focusing on accreditation and assessment data. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Literacy and Urban Education from Kansas State University.

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Ivory Duncan

Education Consultant, Embracing Neuro-Diversity, LLC

Ivory Duncan brings 15 years of experience as a teacher, college counselor, director, and assistant principal. Her commitment to cultural responsiveness, inclusion, and innovation is rooted in her humble upbringing, fostering a deep understanding of anti-racism and equity in education. Duncan’s dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and creating equal opportunities for all students reflects her belief in a just and inclusive society. As a mother of a young Black son on the spectrum, her personal experiences shape her advocacy for a world where young people of color can thrive authentically. Duncan’s mission is to build a more equitable, inclusive, and just society.

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Diazhane Ellis

Teacher, Teachers Like Me

Diazhane Ellis is a member of Teachers Like Me and a classroom teacher at Lincoln College Prep in Kansas City Public Schools. She is entering her fifth year as a Spanish teacher.

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Dr. Howard Fields

Owner, Dr. Howard E. Fields III LLC

Dr. Howard E. Fields III is a renowned educational leader, consultant, and speaker, currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. With a Ph.D. in Education, he is a prolific author and co-founder of influential organizations such as Black Males in Education St. Louis (BMESTL) and The State of Black Educators Symposium.

Dr. Fields is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to educational equity and his ability to lead through crisis, notably during the Ferguson Unrest. His innovative approaches and strategic solutions have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2020 National Elementary Distinguished Principal from Missouri.

In addition to his administrative role, Dr. Fields is an adjunct professor and sought-after consultant, known for his impactful insights and dedication to fostering inclusive educational environments. His leadership and expertise continue to inspire and shape the future of education.

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Tonya Guinn

Impact Officer, Kauffman Foundation

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Vashaunta Harris

VP of Professional Networks, National Charter Schools Institute

Vashaunta Harris has a rich history in K-12 education. After graduating from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, she began her career in education as a 2008 Teach for America Baltimore corps member, teaching high school biology and chemistry with Baltimore City Public Schools. After completing a master’s program at Johns Hopkins, she joined Scholar Academies charter management organization as an operations coordinator/manager serving schools in PA, DC, NJ, and TN. Harris then served DC Public Schools as a director of strategic school operations and served the South Carolina Public Charter School District as chief of access & equity, before going out on her own and becoming a dedicated executive coach and consultant in 2022.

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Chardaneè Harvey

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Sylvester Holmes II

Teacher, Kansas City Public Schools

Sylvester Holmes II is a dynamic high school social studies teacher and head coach at East High School in Kansas City, MO. He is entering his fourth year of teaching. Alongside his teaching role, he serves as a pastor, coach, filmmaker, and aspiring author. As an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a director of a local youth non-profit organization, Holmes aims to impact his community through service and mentorship. With 11 years of marital bliss and a brilliant daughter, Holmes finds joy in his family life and pursing his passion of curriculum development. His future goal is to become a curriculum coordinator, shaping the educational landscape in Kansas City.

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Kevin C. Hudson

Associate Director for Institutional Diversity & College Opportunity, Princeton University

Kevin C. Hudson believes all children deserve well-informed and caring educators to realize their full potential. He is the associate director for Institutional Diversity and College Opportunity in the Office of Provost at Princeton University. Hudson manages strategic partnerships, and a portfolio of projects aligned with Princeton’s commitment to combat systemic inequities in education. He additionally facilitates institutional collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Hudson previously managed college readiness districtwide at District of Columbia Public Schools. He began his career as an admission officer at Princeton University. Hudson earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his master’s degree in Higher Education Management from University of Pennsylvania. He is excited to support the educational pathways of his 2-year-old daughter.

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Dr. Stacy King

Superintendent, KC International Academy

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Dr. Bettina L. Love

Public Speaker

Dr. Bettina L. Love holds the esteemed William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the acclaimed author of the NYT Bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal, which garnered the prestigious Stowe Prize for Literary Activism and was a finalist for the LA Times Book Award. She was recognized as a Next 50 Leader by the Kennedy Center in 2022. In 2024, she received the Truth Award for Excellence in Education from Better Brothers Los Angeles and The Diva Foundation.

Dr. Love empowers educators and parents in combating injustice within educational institutions and communities. Dr. Love was a pivotal organizer of the groundbreaking program “In Her Hands,” a guaranteed income initiative disbursing more than $13 million to support Black women in Georgia.

A leading speaker in education, Dr. Love covers a wide range of topics, including abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, educational reparations, and using art education to foster youth civic engagement. In 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives honored Dr. Love with a resolution for her impactful contributions to education. Her bestseller We Want to Do More Than Survive has sold close to 200,000 copies and has become a classroom staple.

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Dr. Centurion Johnson, MHA, LPC, LCPC

Dr. Centurion Johnson specializes in trauma, focusing on the trauma patterns experienced by African American, brown, and Black communities in the United States. Dr. Johnson holds a master’s in psychology and counseling, a bachelor’s in business and health sciences, and he is conducting doctoral research on trauma within the African American community. Throughout his career. Dr. Johnson has worked in various roles in behavioral and mental health, including foster and adoption placement for minority children, acute psychiatric hospitals, state residential facilities, and case management and community support services.

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Trina Lewis

Coach, Yoga Instructor, Entrepreneur

Coach Trina Lewis is a transformative life coach, yoga instructor, and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of professional experience in the (Mind, Body, Spirit) health and wellness industry.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Coach Trina graduated from Lincoln University (MO), where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue a career in entertainment. After much success as a talent manager and business consultant, the persistent nudge to do meaningful work and heartfelt service led her to apply for a unique graduate program at the University of Santa Monica. She obtained a master’s degree in spiritual psychology and traveled the world speaking at women’s conferences, facilitating workshops at universities, and managing a private practice.

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Penelope Martin-Knox

Superintendent, Raytown C-2 School District

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Dr. Mallory McCoy

Co-founder, Bells Garden

Dr. Mallory McCoy is a co-founder of bell’s garden, dedicated to empowering Black female-identifying individuals.

She obtained her Bachelor’s in Music Education for K-12 Choral Music Education from University of Missouri-Kansas City (2008), her Master’s of Arts in Education from Baker University (2011), and completed her Doctorate in PreK-12 Educational Administration from Baker University in May 2024. Dr. McCoy has served as an educator in the Kansas City metro area for over 16 years. Over the course of her career, she taught in multiple schools and conducted many choirs.

She lives in Kansas City North with her family. When she’s not taking care of her family, she’s writing and researching for her podcast (A Monday Moment with Dr. Mal), blogging (whenmallorylives.com), running her mobile and remote online notary business (mallorymotary.com), singing for leisure, and serving as a children’s choir director for the Youth Chorus of Kansas City.

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Asha Moore

Assistant Principal, Academy for Integrated Arts

Asha Moore is a driven and motivated school leader with a passion for equity in education and currently serves as the Assistant Principal at the Academy for Integrated Arts. Moore graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) with a degree in Elementary Education and was a member of the inaugural Institute for Urban Education cohort. She returned to UMKC and received a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration. In 2018, she participated in KC PLUS (Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools) where she earned hours towards her Educational Specialist. Moore is currently an adjunct professor for UMKC, facilitating a seminar class that helps to prepare pre-service teachers to be culturally responsive and anti-racist educators. In her free time, Moore enjoys spending time with her husband Mark, son Mark III, and daughter Arie; hanging out with family and friends; modeling; and participating in service projects with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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Lamont Muhammad

Dean of Culture, Academy for Integrated Arts

Lamont Petrell Muhammad is an accomplished author, administrator, educational consultant, hip-hop artist, and dynamic public speaker. Currently, he serves as dean of culture at the Academy for Integrated Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, where he’s dedicated to nurturing the potential of young minds. Muhammad is the co-director of the Hip Hop Literacy 319 program and Hip Hop Summer School in the Cedar Valley, Iowa area. Hip Hop Literacy 319 is a pioneering cross-curricular literacy program that harnesses students’ enthusiasm for Hip Hop to enhance their engagement, skills, and professional outlook. As a published author, Muhammad has contributed three rhythm and rhyme children’s books to the world: I AM, I CAN, and the Little Monte Series: Granny Said. Furthermore, Muhammad’s dedication to education extends to his book, The Hip Hop Writing Process: A Handbook for Educators, which serves as a valuable guide for students in the art of writing hip hop lyrics. He firmly believes that every child possesses inherent gifts and talents, waiting to be unveiled through innovative education. With the right guidance, true education, and leadership, Muhammad empowers young individuals to unlock their full potential, thereby enabling them to serve their community, nation, and the world.

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Harrison Neal

Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership, Kansas City Public Schools

Harrison Neal Sr. is a dedicated turnaround and transformational leader in Kansas City Public Schools, serving in his second year as Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership. Rising to principal at age 28 and later becoming the youngest assistant superintendent in KCPS history at 35, Neal’s career reflects his commitment to improving education in urban communities. Prior to KCPS, he played a pivotal role in moving a local charter school out of comprehensive school status as vice principal, demonstrating his impact in elevating struggling schools.

Growing up in Kansas City’s 64130 ZIP code – known for its challenges – Neal faced his own obstacles. As an at-risk student with numerous discipline issues, he even had a superintendent’s hearing during his senior year of high school. His journey fuels his empathy and drive to ensure that students in underserved communities receive equitable educational opportunities. Neal often recalls Nipsey Hussle’s words, “The highest human act is to inspire,” which ground his mission to uplift students and educators alike.

Known for his transformational work, Neal served as the fifth principal in just seven years at one of Missouri’s toughest schools, Central Middle School. There, he led a dramatic turnaround, achieving historic assessment gains and removing the school from Missouri’s Comprehensive School Status. His accolades include the KCPS Change Champion for Turnaround Schools Award, Excellence in Education Principal of the Year, and numerous other distinctions, to name a few. Under Neal’s leadership as Assistant Superintendent, his cluster of schools excelled overall in his first year, showing significant growth in academic outcomes.

Today, Neal remains dedicated to KCPS’s vision for growth and equity, supporting the district both as an administrator and a parent. His youngest son attends Wendell Phillips Elementary, a neighborhood school, while his oldest is a student at his alma mater, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy.

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Eugene (Gene) Pinkard
He/Him/His

Director of K-12 Leadership, Aspen Education & Society Program

Eugene Pinkard’s 30-year career focuses on resources for system leaders and policymakers across the nation through publication, convenings, and consultation. His work centers strategy and coherence across youth development, school leadership, and equity. Starting as a teacher in South Africa and Washington, D.C., he later led two schools as principal, achieving top-five percentiles in academic growth at both. As a chief in D.C. Public Schools, Pinkard supervised principals, and led multiple strategic priorities, including school turnaround, support for young men and educators of color, innovation portfolios, and redesigned data platforms, while driving enrollment and diversifying programming.

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Earl Martin Phalen

Founder & CEO, Great Jobs KC

Earl Martin Phalen is the CEO of Great Jobs KC, where he spearheads two initiatives, KC Scholars (a program that awards $50,000 college scholarships to 1,000 young adults annually) and Great Jobs KC (a job training program that helps adults secure jobs that pay $45,000-$125,000 per year plus benefits). Great Jobs KC currently impacts the lives of 15,000 young adults and adults.

Phalen is a serial social entrepreneur. His first nonprofit, BELL (named after Professor Derrick Bell), provides after school and summer learning programs to children. BELL started with 20 scholars and a $12,000 annual budget and grew to impacting 15,000 children annually and a $27M annual budget. Phalen also founded and currently leads a non-profit named in honor of his parents, the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), which helps turn around some of nations lowest performing schools. PLA currently serves 10,000 scholars at 23 schools, and PLA has already turned 12 F-rated schools into A-rated schools.

With more than 30 years of experience in educational reform, Phalen is dedicated to creating pathways for individuals to realize their tremendous innate potential. Phalen’s own life experiences have fueled his dedication to social impact. Adopted from foster care by George and Veronica Phalen, he experienced firsthand the importance of giving children and adults an opportunity to thrive. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, Phalen began his journey in educational advocacy while in law school and has since influenced communities nationwide.

Phalen has been recognized by MSNBC, TIME, New York Times, Education Week, Black Entertainment Television, and Presidents Clinton and Obama. He has also published two books, Giving My All (an autobiography) and From Vision to Impact, and is the proud uncle to his 64 nephews and nieces.

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Toriano Porter

Opinion Writer, Kansas City Star Editorial Board

Toriano Porter is an award-winning opinion writer for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board. A native of St. Louis, Porter has called Kansas City home since 2007. He is a four-time author, distinguished motivational speaker, and dedicated mentor to young people in the metropolitan area.

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Gerard Robinson
He/Him/His

Professor of Practice, University of Virginia

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April Sutherland

Assistant Superintendent for Talent Recruitment & Retention, Equity & District-wide Operations, Center School District

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Catina Taylor, J.D.

Founder, DREAMS, KC

Catina Taylor, J.D., founder of DREAMS KC, is an entrepreneurial nonprofit leader working to significantly improve child literacy rates in the United States. Taylor lent her voice, gifts, skills, and talents to assist in reshaping education as a teacher, speaker, workshop facilitator, consultant, ed-preneur, community organizer, parent educator, and volunteer. Trusted by her community and those within the education ecosystem, Taylor is called upon to source talent for the profession, assist parents in advocating for the needs of their children, coach educators, tutor students, and aid institutions as they evolve for the future. When she speaks, people listen, and change happens.

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Dr. Pamela Renee Webb

Educator, Communities of Learning

Dr. Pamela Webb is an accomplished servant leader with over thirty years of experience in non-profit, educational administrative leadership, and higher education. She has had the pleasure of serving in the lives of a diverse group of students from high school drops to college students with disabilities.

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Deon Whitten

Dean of Students, Ewing Marion Kauffman School

Deon Whitten is a dynamic educator, facilitator, and entrepreneur committed to inspiring innovation in education. He is the owner of Resilient Transitions LLC, a group home in Kansas City, Kansas, dedicated to supporting boys aged 16-21 in foster care. With a strong background in school culture, policy, and community partnerships, Whitten excels in creating engaging and impactful professional development sessions for teachers. Currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Kansas, Whitten’s collaborative approach and expertise in leveraging diverse skills and knowledge make him an invaluable asset in driving educational change. Passionate about empowering educators, Whitten focuses on fostering creativity and practical solutions to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

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Aisha Williams
Pronouns

Co-founder, Bell’s Garden

Aisha Williams is a co-founder of bell’s garden, dedicated to empowering Black female-identifying individuals.

Proudly serving her hometown and the community her family has cherished for generations, she previously made a significant contribution as the Impact and Analytics Director for City Year Kansas City for three years. Williams also served as an Impact Manager at Central High School and The Ewing Marian Kauffman School. In education since 2014, she began as a teacher with Teach For America in Atlanta. A proud alumna of Mizzou, where she majored in Multicultural Psychology and minored in Gender Studies, and of Cottey College, where she majored in Psychology.

Williams also owns The A21 Creative, a design business. She lives in Kansas City with her family, where she enjoys movies, travel, and trying new foods.

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Dr. Marj Williams

Community Advocate, CommunityAmerica Credit Union Access Center

Dr. Marjorie (Marj) Williams is a multifaceted individual with a profound commitment to education, community advocacy, and philanthropy. Over the years, her journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of positive change and transformation within the realms of education, community empowerment, and charitable initiatives. 

Through her work as a former Superintendent of Schools and her current position at CommunityAmerica Credit Union, she strives to leave an indelible impact on the lives of others and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society by embracing and promoting lifelong learning, through programming designed to build a resilient community equipped to thrive.

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Dr. Jermaine Wilson

Assistant Superintendent of Equity & Student Services, Lee’s Summit R-VIII School District

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Dr. Susan Wilson

Principal, Wilson and Associates

Susan B. Wilson, Ph.D., MBA, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a multifaceted career in education, healthcare administration, consulting, clinical and media work. She currently serves as principal of Wilson and Associates, an organization that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), training, program development and consulting. Wilson retired recently from the role of Vice Chancellor of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. In this chief diversity officer role, she led a diversity organizational development strategy including diversity and inclusion assessment, planning and initiatives for students, faculty, and staff and community.  

Wilson has over twenty years of mental health and diversity-related experience. She previously served as Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at UMKC School of Medicine. For the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), Wilson was the Central Region’s representative for the Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI). She also developed a diversity training program for mid and upper management for the Central Region of the Federal Aviation Administration.  During a time of racial tension, she was   a consultant to four local school district superintendents to assess the diversity climate and offer training and recommendations.  Wilson has also provided training and diversity consultation to many business and government organizations, and served on the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission.

Wilson attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology and an M.B.A. from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC. Wilson has held leadership positions in several notable health and behavioral healthcare organizations in the Kansas City area, including Swope Health Services and St. Luke’s Health System. She has also served as a consulting psychologist to the National Football League and the Kansas City Chiefs and a host and contributor of a news, culture and arts radio magazine show for KCUR 89.3 FM, the Kansas City affiliate of NPR.

An avid reader, Wilson credits libraries as serving as a “life line” and a sanctuary while growing up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Wilson is an avid enthusiast of the arts. She is an art collector, and a frequent theatre and concert-goer as well as a financial supporter of the arts.

A 2018 winner of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce ACE Award for Diversity and Inclusion, Wilson has contributed her time and skills to numerous civic and community endeavors. Some highlights include the Jackson County COMBAT Commission, Missouri Department of Mental Health Cultural Competency Committee, and the Statewide African American Mental Health Taskforce.  She is a former member of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is Chair of the Prime Health Board. She also serves on the Kansas City Crime Commission.

Wilson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Inc., both public service organizations.

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Shaun Woodly
He/Him/His

Speaker, Author, Educator, Teach Hustle Inspire

Charged with an unstoppable passion for education, Dr. Shaun Woodly has left indelible marks on every rung of the academic ladder. From a dedicated K-12 teacher to an inspiring university professor, his impactful journey is fueled by a commitment to transform education in urban communities. Celebrated as Teacher of the Year and the recipient of several awards for his exceptional teaching, Dr. Woodly’s accolades are a testament to his remarkable influence. Pioneering new paths to the highest levels of achievement in urban and culturally diverse schools, Dr. Woodly is the visionary architect of the transformative movement, “Teach Hustle Inspire”. He is also the 2X bestselling author of MC Means Move the Class: How to Spark Engagement and Motivation in Urban and Culturally Diverse Classrooms, as well as The League of Extraordinary Educators: The Secret Strategies of Transformational Teachers.

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