A highly-regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As an elementary school teacher in East Orange, NJ, he was selected as the East Orange School District and Essex County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, he was a New Jersey State Teacher of the Year finalist, and a recipient of the New Jersey Education Association Award of Excellence.

As a middle and high school principal, Principal Kafele led the turnaround of four different New Jersey urban schools, including "The Mighty" Newark Tech, which went from a low-performing school in need of improvement to national recognition, which included U.S. News and World Report Magazine recognizing it three times as one of America's best high schools. One of the most sought-after school leadership and classroom equity presenters in America, Principal Kafele is impacting America’s schools! He has delivered over 2500 conference and program keynotes, professional development workshops, parenting seminars and student assemblies over his 36 years of public speaking. An expert in the area of “attitude transformation,” Principal Kafele is the leading authority for providing effective classroom and school leadership strategies toward closing what he coined, the "Attitude Gap.”

A prolific writer, Principal Kafele has written extensively on professional development strategies for creating a positive school climate and culture, transforming the attitudes of at-risk students, motivating Black males to excel in the classroom, and school leadership practices for inspiring schoolwide excellence. In addition to writing several professional articles for popular education journals, he has authored twelve books, including his seven ASCD best sellers - Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School & in Life, Closing the Attitude Gap, Is My School a Better School BECAUSE I Lead It?, The Teacher 50, The Principal 50, The Assistant Principal 50 and his newest release, The Equity & Social Justice Education 50. Principal Kafele is also the creator and host of the popular Virtual Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, streamed live every Saturday morning on his Virtual AP Leadership Academy YouTube channel and his other social media platforms at 10:55 EST.

Principal Kafele is married to his wife Kimberley, and is the father of their three children, Baruti, Jabari and Kibriya. He earned his B.S. degree in Management Science/Marketing from Kean University and his M.A. degree in Educational Administration from New Jersey City University. He is the recipient of over 150 educational, professional and community awards which include the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame Award, induction into the East Orange, New Jersey Hall of Fame, recognition as one of the World’s Top 30 Education Professionals for 2020, 2021 & 2022 by Global Gurus Top 30 and the City of Dickinson, Texas proclaiming February 8, 1998 as Baruti Kafele Day.

Tasha M. Scott, the owner of Maximized Growth, LLC., is an unconventional voice of wisdom for today's leaders. Maximized Growth, LLC is a training and development company specializing in leadership development, strategic communication, and team unity. Tasha's mission is to see leaders and teams fulfill their full potential through the power of self-awareness and others' awareness to improve the overall group dynamic and culture. "At the end of the day, we are all in the people business," says Tasha.

Through Maximized Growth, LLC, Tasha serves nonprofits, state agencies, and for-profit businesses through professional speaking, in-person and virtual training. She offers an array of live and on-demand courses. Her clients include but are not limited to numerous educational organizations such as the Alabama State Department of Education, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, Alabama Education Association, A+ College Ready, school districts, and individual schools. Tasha is certified under the Maxwell Leadership brand, Dr. John C. Maxwell led. She is an active member of the Montgomery Rotary Club and a graduate of Leadership Montgomery (Class XXXIII) and Leadership Alabama (Class XXXI). She also serves as an ambassador for the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Tasha and Maximized Growth, visit www.maximizedgrowthllc.com and @maximizednow across social media platforms.

Reggie White is a 5th-grade teacher in Birmingham, AL, and the current Alabama Teacher of the Year. He grew up in a small town in south Alabama, which significantly influenced his teaching and learning philosophy. There, he learned the power of relationships and the impact of a great teacher; he found his voice not only as a student but also as a lifelong learner. After graduating from high school, Reggie enrolled in Alabama State University (ASU). While attending ASU, Reggie received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Education Administration, and an Education Specialist's Degree in Educational Leadership. In addition to serving as an educator, Reggie, a National Board Certified Teacher, is a principal designee, mentor, and teacher leader. As a leader, he shares his guiding principles for teaching and learning to impact the next generation of educators. Reggie has spent 26 years helping students visualize limitless possibilities and opportunities. He uses his words to uplift, engage, and inspire each student.

Before moving into an administrative role in 2007, Dr. Melissa Shields taught language arts and/or history for sixteen years, grades 6-12. At the system level in Etowah County Schools, she supervised various departments including Curriculum, Instructional Technology, Library Media, School Improvement, and English Learners. In the spring of 2015, she moved to the Alabama Department of Education in the Office of Student Learning. She currently serves as the Office of School Improvement Coordinator working with her team to assist schools and systems in their continuous improvement efforts. She also works with community and industry organizations in aligning resources and human capital with specific needs in area schools.

A passionate community activist and advocate for childcare and sexual assault prevention, Teumbay (Tee) Barnes manages programming for a public foundation based in Atlanta, GA, created and governed by grassroots leaders from rural communities across the Southeast. Bringing 15+ years of experience in community organizing, policy, leadership development, journalism, and higher education to her role, Barnes has spent her career working to change the narrative and create safe and sacred spaces for those experiencing any form of injustice.

Barnes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from ASU and a Master’s in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University, in addition to being a 2010 graduate of the PLAN (Progressive Advocacy Leadership Network) National Women’s Law Center. Barnes was also a 2011 (inaugural year) Fellow of the Greensboro Justice Fund at the Highlander Center, a graduate of the Leading by Example Leadership Program, a 2017 Emergent Leader of the Year, and recently inducted into Alabama State University’s 50 under 50.

I am Bobbie Beverly and I have been an AEA member for over 27 years. I have served on the Board of Directors of Baldwin County ESP, and I’ve held the office of Treasurer, and Secretary for my local and Advisory Board. I have also served on the District AEA Board and am presently on the Legislation Commission.

Kynesha Brown has worked as Volunteer Organizer, Field Organizer, and Strategist with several local, state, and national political campaigns, including for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Doug Jones, and Steven Reed, the city of Montgomery, Alabama's first elected Black mayor. As a graduate of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, she is very passionate about activism, voting empowerment, engagement, and restoring voting rights for those impacted by felonies. Fueling this passion, she implemented the Rollin to the Polls Voting Initiative (RTTP) through the Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Under the Rollin to the Polls Voting Initiative, coalition groups are galvanized to target marginalized neighborhoods to help increase voter turnout, educate residents about the political process, and offer rides to the polls on Election Day. Since its implementation, RTTP has successfully increased voter turnout and has assisted in providing a civically engaged voice to many.

Kynesha currently serves as a board member of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium Wisdom Council, Project 2 Uplift, Inc., and as the Board of Directors Chairperson of Alabama Forward, a civic engagement state table advancing the work of nonpartisan, progressive organizations throughout Alabama. Kynesha recently ended her tenure as the Social Action Coordinator for the Southern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – which included the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and the Bahamas.

Kynesha attended Auburn University and Troy University and currently resides in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. She works for the Alabama Education Association as a Lobbyist and Director of Public Relations. She is also the Southeast Regional Representative for the National Association of Legislative and Political Specialists for Education.

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Mrs. Shaundalyn Elliott Johnson is an Education Specialist at the Alabama State Department of Education in the Prevention and Support Services Section. Mrs. Elliott Johnson is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. She works with Local Education Agencies around the State of Alabama specifically to conduct Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings; promote the Comprehensive Integrated Three-Tiered Model of Prevention (Ci3t) via the Project Aware Grant, and assist with Title IV, Part A Application Review and Completion.

Shaundalyn Elliott Johnson is a graduate of Alabama State University and Auburn Montgomery where she has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education, a Master of Education Degree in Instructional Leadership, and a Master of Education in School Counseling. She is a former English Teacher and Department Chairperson, Assistant Principal, and School Counselor in the Montgomery and Wilcox County School Systems. Mrs. Elliott Johnson has a sincere passion for counseling, mental health awareness, and behavior intervention as evidenced by her tenacity and further study dedicated toward these areas. Mrs. Elliott Johnson values the importance of empowering all people, namely children of all ages, enabling them to attain their full potential by maximizing their predetermined levels of greatness contained within.

Devon Frazier never had a “Plan B”. She wanted to become an educator ever since the first grade. She desired to help children while leaving an impression on their lives. Once becoming a teacher, Devon learned of the connection between literacy and the “school-to-prison pipeline”. So, working primarily with children of color and understanding this vital link, she decided to take action by creating programs that emphasized reading and ensuring children had books to read at home to read. Seventeen years into her career as an educator, Devon elevated her passion and founded “I See Me, Inc.”. Its mission is to ensure that literacy is not a stumbling block for children of color in their quest for success.

Dr. La Shannon N. Hollinger is the Academic and Information Specialist at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. She has also served as the Director of Learning Resources at Enterprise State Community College and Director of Library Services at Alabama Southern Community College for six years. She has served as an instructor of Basic Study Skills and Developmental Reading at the postsecondary level. She was a Library Media Specialist for 12 years, taught business technology essentials, and was the technology coordinator at Frisco City High and Monroeville Middle School. She also taught elementary school for five years. She has been privileged to serve as an educator for 25 years.

She has served on various Library Boards and committees and has won numerous recognitions, including AEA emergent Leader 2004, Monroe County Nominee for the Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame 2005-2006 and 2015-2016, and Monroeville Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2004-2005, as well as the Monroe County Elementary Teacher of the Year 2004-2005. She also served as the Monroe County Education Association Secretary from 2004-2005. She is active in the community serving as the President of the Monroe County HIPPY-Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters and the Monroe County Chapter of Troy University- scholarship committee. Her memberships include American Library Association, Alabama Library Association, Library School Association, and Alabama Library School Association. The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Kappa Gamma International Society. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,

Debi Jackson became an accidental advocate for transgender rights in 2014, when her speech about her child's social transition at the age of 4 went viral. The self-described former "conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama" now speaks on behalf of transgender children and their families around the world. She has been interviewed by media across the US, the UK, France, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Colombia and Brazil.

Debi is a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council, has been a consultant on an Emmy Award winning ACLU documentary about transgender children, and her family is featured in the feature-length documentary “Transhood” available on HBO Max. Most recently, she worked on strategic messaging on policy and legislative issues in a communications role with Equality Texas and HRC and managed the Trans Families support program of Gender Diversity.

Debi was awarded the 2016 National Education Association LGBTQ Caucus Role Model Award for her contributions to education about the LGBTQ+ community. She trains schools across the US on creating trans-inclusive policies and how to best support students through their transitions and has assisted the NEA in updating their training programs for their 3 million members. She also partners with LGBTQ organizations across the country to develop strategic messaging around policy and legislative issues. Her transgender child, Avery, now 14, has also told their own story in a children’s book, “It’s Okay to Sparkle” and was featured on a cover of the “Gender Revolution” issue of National Geographic magazine.

Lisa Jennings is a member of the National Education Association (NEA) Diversity Cadre.

LaMonica Jones-Harris a UniServ Director for the Alabama Education Association. She represents District 12. She is a graduate of Grambling State University with a BS in Elementary Education. She is a retired 21-year veteran teacher.

Vinita is employed with MPS, Montgomery, Alabama since 1999. She is currently the Administrative Secretary in the Office of Academics & Accountability and the current Montgomery County ESP President.

Vashti Mallory is a member of the National Education Association (NEA) Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) Cadre.

Sharon D. Martin has been employed with Shelby County School System for twenty-two years. Her current positions include AEA State Board - District 7 Director, AEA/ESP State Board - Liaison, Shelby County ESP President, UniServ District 13 Chair and AR Building Rep. She has served as a Local Delegate for 15 years and for 3 years as a State Delegate.

Richard Melvin is a member of the National Education Association (NEA) Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) Cadre.

Dr. LaBrenda Marshall currently is employed with Alabama State Department of Education as the Nurse Administrator. She has 38 years in the healthcare profession; worked in education 31 years as a healthcare science instructor, and a nursing supervisor. She is a strong advocate for children and school health nurses. She enjoys being the mother of two sons and two grandchildren. Cooking and baking are her favorite hobbies.

Dr. Robert Mayben is the Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist for The UA/UWA Inservice Center. He received his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Instructional Technology from UA in August 2010. His dissertation focused on the impact of Instructional Geocaching and GPS activities on student achievement. Robert has been in his current position as an ATiM instructional technology specialist since 2004, and he was a secondary English, journalism, and computer applications teacher before joining ATiM. His edtech interests include learning with LEGOs, drones in education, curriculum integration, digital literacy, computer science, robotics, instructional Geocaching, innovative teaching strategies, and game-based learning. Robert resides in Demopolis, Alabama with his amazing wife, Meggin, and their two wonderful children.

Jessica Morton holds degrees in English and Social Science, English Education, and Educational Leadership. Her many leadership roles have included Educational Specialist, Administrator, Curriculum Coordinator, and Graduation Coach. Jessica currently serves as an adjunct instructor for Troy University.

Quandria Robinson is a lifelong resident of Alabama. Quandria completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduate studies at Troy University and the University of West Alabama. Quandria has been an educator for over 13 years and has served as a grades 7th-12th social science/history instructor and K-12th School Counselor. Quandria currently serves as a PowerSchool Education Technology coach.

Kendall Tankersley has over 10 years of experience in education as a classroom history teacher and high school counselor. A graduate of Jacksonville State University, she obtained an Ed.S. in School Counseling and also holds additional Master's level certifications in Secondary Education, Educational Administration, and School Psychometry. She lives in Northeast Alabama with her husband and five-year-old son.

Dr. Karen Thorn is beginning her 27th year as an educator where she served as a technology teacher for 11 years and a school administrator for 14 years. She is in her second year as the Alabama Technology in Motion specialist for Region 1 (UNA). She is the mother of four daughters and grandmother to four grandchildren.

Taajah Felder Witherspoon (taajah@uab.edu) serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for pre-service early childhood and elementary educators. She has a passion for teaching with understanding and providing students opportunities to construct knowledge across the curriculum more specifically with African American students in urban settings. Her writing has appeared in the Social Studies and the Young Learner, Teaching Children Mathematics, as well as School Science and Mathematics Journal. She has developed her beliefs through her current position and previous roles as a classroom teacher and math coach. She also extended her knowledge base with a recent Administrative Certification as well as through her works as she plans and works collaboratively with administrators in underserved urban and affluent districts to address teaching and learning concerns.