The Black Lives Matter zoom sessions were all such a great resource and place to learn! Whether it was Dr. Smith sharing the framework of Racial Battle Fatigue or seeing Michael Brown Senior, it was such a great way to connect academic concepts with real world applications and context. I’m sure I will remember that experience for years to come, as it really did feel like a once in a lifetime thing.

Donna Y. Ford, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Ecology and Kirwan Institute Faculty Affiliate at The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology. She is in the Educational Studies Dept., Special Education Program. She returned to OSU in Aug. 2019. Professor Ford was formerly an endowed chair at Vanderbilt University in the College of Education.  Dr. Ford has been a Professor of Special Education at the Ohio State University, an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Virginia, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. 

Dr. Frank Harris III is a professor of postsecondary education and Co-Director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) at San Diego State University. He is best known for his expertise in racial [in]equity in postsecondary education and has made important contributions to knowledge about college student development and the social construction of gender and race in college contexts. His work prioritizes populations that have been historically underrepresented and underserved in education.

J. Luke Wood, Ph.D. is Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Education and Vice President for Student Affairs & Campus Diversity at San Diego State University. Formerly Wood served as Associate Vice President for Diversity and Innovation. Dr. Wood is also Co-Director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL), a national research and practice center that partners with community colleges to support their capacity in advancing outcomes for men of color. He has delivered over 1,000 scholarly and conference presentations and more than 150 publications to his credit, including 15 books and 75 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr. Carlos Nevarez received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He is a Full Professor with the Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Executive Editor for the Journal of Transformative Leadership and Policy Studies at Sacramento State. Dr. Nevarez prior leadership experience include serving as the Interim Chair, Graduate & Professional Studies. In Addition to serving as Director of the Educational Leadership Program at Sacramento State. Dr. Nevarez has authored over thirty publications. His work is designed to be both accessible and actionable in addressing educational challenges and opportunities facing schools and colleges.