about

Jeffrey Fleming

3rd Grade Literacy Creative Minds International

Jeffrey Fleming is a first year General Education educator for Third grade literacy after 7 years of being a Special Education teacher. He teaches at Creative Minds International Public School in Washington, DC. Jeffrey is originally from Richmond, VA where he began his career as an educator. He received a BBA in Business Management from Howard University and an MS in Special Education.

During his tenure as an educator Jeffrey has served as sponsor for student leadership organizations, led professional development sessions on self care for educators, mentored peer educators in the process of being a special educator and facilitated a drama club for students virtually and in person for elementary and middle school students.

When not teaching, Jeffrey can be found pursuing his artistic passions through acting, singing, playwriting and poetry. In his free time enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to music, and playing spades.

Latesa Brown

5th Grade Doyle Ryder Elementary

I am currently an 8th grade science teacher at Neal Magnet Middle School in Durham, North Carolina. I serve as a team lead teacher and as a teacher mentor to beginning teachers. I'm also a Mental Health Ambassador at my school this year and am currently a National Board for Teaching Candidate. Previously I taught at Doyle Ryder Elementary School and was selected by my principal to be a “process champion” for promoting positive school culture for children, teachers, and staff, to be a catalyst for change in our building.

I have over 20 years of experience as a teacher of children in general educational settings, alternative educational settings, and as a teacher of children with exceptionalities. Over my years within this teacher calling/activism, I have been blessed to grow many “first loves of learning” by building trusting relationships with marginalized students that were flowers in concrete cracks.

I live for empowerment and advocacy in my community and nation. I believe in raising the bar of my students; ancestral greatness already lives within them! I am proud to be a positive disruptor. I care about the future generations that have been unseen for far too long. As an educational conference speaker/presenter, I work on the front lines to create and share ways to affect change against the adverse societal conditions caused by cultural-biased practices. I am compassionate about the power of learning, and I do not believe in square pegs being thrown to the side because they do not fit into the round holes of society. Demographics and environmental complexities that are beyond childhood controls should not drive trajectories, nor produce life-time labels!

Loving our blackness and liberating our mindsets will move mountains! Teaching is my ‘BEAST-MODE’ and I raise “Education-Warriors”! We breaking yokes, curses, and boundaries out here! “I was once unseen but now, I Am Light” will stand as the liberation mantra that replaces the lies of racism and inequity. Black Teachers Rock and I’m here for it!

Lisa Harton

1st Grade Spring Mill Elementary School

Hello, my name is Lisa Harton and I hail from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am the granddaughter of Gertrude and Wilbert Epps, child of Florence and Myron. I am an HBCU alum. I received my BA in Psychology from Spelman College and MA in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University.

I am currently a first grade teacher in the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am active in local and district wide initiatives that promote equity and safe learning spaces, such as the BIPOC Affinity Space, High Ability Advisory Group, and the Culturally Responsive Teaching Committee.

Malcolm X said “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” It is my duty to ensure our educational system nurtures our children to the benefit of their current wellbeing and future success.

Cassandra Black

Black History & AP U.S. History Decatur High School

Cassandra Black is a social studies teacher who uses her experience in teaching multiple grade levels and multiple subject areas to promote social justice, critical thinking, and empathy. A professional educator, she has spent the past 13 years teaching social studies, informational reading, and writing in various schools within the City Schools of Decatur.

Outside of the classroom she has been engaged in a variety of projects shaped to enrich the lives of her students including being one of the advisors to the Black Student Union and serving as one of the Track coaches. Her primary focus in her classes throughout her career from grades 5-12 is to foster critical thinking skills while having students confront unvarnished historical accounts through their discussions and writings.

Ms. Black is a Washington native and a former Army Brat who has lived in multiple locations throughout the United States. She received a BA in History and American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington before moving to Georgia to earn a M.A.T. in Middle Grades Social Studies and English Language Arts from Georgia State University.

Ms. Black is a Black Teacher Project Fellow (cohort 3); a teacher representative on Decatur High’s School Leadership Team; a nominee for Decatur High School’s Teacher of the Year (2021 & 2022); and Decatur High School’s 2022 winner for the City Schools of Decatur Good Trouble Award.

Currently Ms. Black is a high school social studies educator in Decatur, Georgia, where she created and currently teaches a Black History class in addition to teaching A.P. U.S. History.

Cecelia Gillam

9-12 Environmental Science Hahnville High School

Cecelia was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Cecelia is the mother of four beautiful children. She has two sons and two daughters. Cecelia obtained her first degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology from Southern University of Baton Rouge. She later obtained her master’s in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University and is now studying to earn her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the same university.

Cecelia has presented at numerous conferences and has been featured in a publication to note how well her presentation was received by participants. She also was a Louisiana state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science in 2015 and 2019. Cecelia is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She currently teaches science at Hahnville High School and has been there since 2005, which speaks to her level of commitment to see things reach their full potential. While at Hahnville Cecilia has served as department chair, PLC leader and has been a mentor to many. She created a step team in 2007 at Hahnville High School to engage at-risk youth in a positive community service-based organization.

Cecilia has a zest for learning and taking on new tasks. She recently published a motivational children’s book that can be found on Amazon. The book is Black Girl, Black Girl you are AMAZING!. She serves as the Region I Rep for the Louisiana Science Teacher Association and also on Shell’s Award committee for NSTA. Cecelia is the co-chair of the Equity Committee at Hahnville High and serves as a lead committee member on the district's Teachers of Color Committee. Lastly, Cecilia has written and received numerous grants and awards to further her teaching practices.

Ricca Dickens

6th & 7th Grade Enligsh The Awty International School

Ricca Dickens is currently a Secondary English teacher and athletic coach at The Awty International School in Houston, Texas. Ricca is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She received a B.A. in American Studies from Sewanee: The University of the South and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington. In her eight years as a Texas educator, Ricca has been privileged to serve as a literacy specialist, consultant, curriculum writer, and instructional coach.

Committed to sharing her passion for literacy, learning, and liberation, she also helps prospective educators navigate the certification and hiring process by offering coaching calls, resources, and scholarship information. In her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, and powerlifting.

Lena Hamilton

9-12 Reading & Literature Decatur High School

Engaging in the practice of social justice, equity, and educational dignity informs Hamilton’s teaching and life.

A professional educator, she has spent the past twenty-three years teaching literature, writing, and reading in various schools throughout Georgia. Outside of the classroom she has been engaged in a variety of projects shaped to enrich the lives of her students. Her primary focus is the reorganization of public education for the betterment of all students, with an emphasis on restorative and liberatory practices.

A Boston native, Dr. Hamilton received a BA in English from Tufts University before moving to Georgia and earning a M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from CMU, at Atlanta, and an Ed. S. (Reading and Literacy) & Ed. D. (School Improvement) from the University of West Georgia.

Hamilton is a Black Teacher Project Fellow (cohort 3); a Rhode Island Writers Colony Fellow (2018); a recipient of the Tufts University Department of English Prize (1997) and Fayette County High School’s Teacher of the Year (2009). In 2022, Hamilton was a finalist for the City Schools of Decatur Good Trouble Award.

Currently Dr. Hamilton is a high school literacy and intervention specialist in Decatur, Georgia, where she co-sponsors the Black Student Union, the Gender Sexuality Aliance, and the Muslim Student Assiociation.

Shari Plummer

9-12 Living Environment/ Chemistry Urban Assembly Maker Academy

Shari Plummer is a Special Education teacher in the Humanities and Science departments at Urban Assembly Maker Academy and is completing her 5th year as a teacher. She attended Stony Brook University where she pursued a degree in English and Secondary ELA Education. She then went on to complete a graduate degree in Secondary Inclusive Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents. Throughout her grade school years, Shari was taught primarily by black teachers. Her transition from a predominantly black school to a predominantly white university solidified her belief that recruiting and sustaining black teachers in classrooms is key to producing a more equitable society. What drives her work is the belief that all students deserve an educational experience where they feel valued, loved, and capable. She hopes to work with communities to drive systemic change that uproots racist traditions and establishes care, joy, and learning as the norm in schools and their surrounding communities.

In her current work, Shari has served in many leadership roles within her network, including co-leading both the Equity, and Social Emotional Learning teams at her school. She also co-facilitates student groups such as the Food Justice Collaborative, the UA Maker chapter of Girls Inc., and UA Maker’s first Black Student Union. Shari is also a member of the 3rd cohort of the Black Teacher Project Fellowship.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, listening to music, sewing, and planning and collaborating on ways to support systemic change in her communities.

Spencer Pritchard

11-12 Africon, AP Govcan American History, African American E

Spencer Pritchard is currently a teacher and Co-Chair of the African American Studies Department at Berkeley High School. He has taught various social science courses within the department - African American History, Black Economics, Black Psychology and more. He has participated in many BTP events and programs, even facilitating a Book Club session where they read Shawn Ginwright’s Hope & Healing in Urban Education. Along with being a passionate community organizer, he also advises the BHS Black Student Union and is a facilitator for his union’s Teacher of Color Network.

Nakia Wiley

TK-12 Special Education Madison Metropolitan School District

With gratitude and a humble heart, I present myself, my name is Nakia S. Wiley, M.S, I am a native to Chicago Illinois (South-side). My pronouns are, she, her, hers, and I identify as Black-disabled woman and sometimes I get angry. I have served in education since 1999 in various capacities and lands. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and community advocate. I am the Coordinator of Professional Learning for Madison Metropolitan School District. I accepted the call at MMSD in the summer of 2016 as a Cross Categorical Teacher and I continue to serve with joy and gladness.

Education & Networks

I am also a Doctoral candidate; my study seeks to explore how educators use curricula and pedagogy to create inclusive environments for Black students. I am a founding member of the Anti-Racist individualized education program committee at MMSD. I am a member of the Black educators network in Madison. I am a member of the disability pride council of Madison. I am a member of MOSES which is a non-partisan interfaith organization that works to promote social justice with a focus on ending mass incarceration. I have participated in the Black teacher design lab for the National Equity Project several times. I provide professional development workshops (cultural humility and implicit biases) through Nami which is an organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

My formative Years

1978-1992: I lived in a segregated Black community

I grew up in a two parent home that was dysfunctional but my mother and father taught me about Black pride at an earlier age. My mother read Black history stories to me and had me and my two older siblings watch Black films that promoted mental health and wellness at an early age.

My family would also visit other parts of Chicago and I learned about other people who were not Black but I did not interact with them. In the Spring of 1992 my mother moved me to a south suburb of Chicago. I finished eighth grade at Dirksen middle school located in Calumet City Illinois and I did not have one Black teacher.

Racial Trauma

In Chicago all of my teachers were Black but that was not my experience in the Suburbs. I attended Thornwood highschool and I only had one Black teacher in the entire building who taught drama. I began having identity issues and was expelled from high school my senior year. In 1996, my Mother took back control of my life and refocused me. Today, I hold a Masters degree, regular and special education (early childhood) teachers licenses, principal license, and superintendent license. I stand on the shoulders of my Elders and Ancestors who paid the price for me to have the life I am currently living.

Onward

I am dedicated to supporting marginalized children and families so they can achieve their dreams, goals, and aspirations.

With Gratitude,

Nakia S. Wiley, M.S

Doctoral Candidate

Denice Martin-Thompson

8-12 Reading & Art Passages Academy-Bronx Hope

Reading Specialist, Author, Poet, Writing & Wellness Coach & CEO of Dee’s Passion Filled Experience.

Denice was born and raised in Trinidad, she came to the United States in 1989 at the age of nine. She grew up in the Bronx and now resides in Harlem, New York. Denice received her BA in English and Secondary Education from Queens College and became an English teacher in 2004. She is an alumna of Lehman College, and received her Masters in Specialized Services in Education in 2006. After working for the Department of Education for six years, she transitioned into her current position working as a Reading Specialist with court-involved youth.

Denice has implemented various literacy and creative programs at Passages Academy Bronx Hope. Her school was also the place where her motto, “The Pen Is My Weapon of Choice” came alive! Her love for reading and writing is sprinkled throughout the school building and executed through her Passion Filled Writers’ Movement. She shares her love for writing and reading joyously with her students and staff daily. Denice’s commitment to the education of the whole child is seen through her work at Bronx Hope where she is currently the SEL Lead for her site.

This Passion-Filled writer has published eight books of poetry, a journal for girls, a writing guide for the Writer’s Notebook, and two picture books.

In 2019, Denice launched her LLC, Dee’s Passion Filled Experience. She creates Passion Filled Spaces and provides the mind, body and soul care that is needed for women to write and work out together.

Dee says it is time to Rest, Reset & Rejuvenate, so we can Revolutionize our lives and execute our God-ordained purpose here on earth!

Visit www.deespassionfilledexperience.com to find out more about the work that Denice is doing in and for her community.