➔ Keynote Speaker

Dante King, a San Francisco native and Adjunct Assistant Professor, is reshaping education and racial equity landscapes. His impact spans academia, law, and public health. Notably, Dante played a pivotal role in codifying new law in California's People v. Finley case, reflecting his commitment to legal advancements in the pursuit of racial justice.

As Deputy Director for the Department of Public Health Office of Health Equity, Dante led initiatives improving workforce and health equity outcomes. He championed the Racial Equity Action Plan and innovative antiracism policies.

Dante's influence extended to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), where he directed the agency's inaugural Racial Equity Action Plan. His collaborations addressed racial disparities and organizational outcomes.

A seasoned Human Resources Manager, Dante introduced a citywide anti-racism training impacting over 20,000 employees. His efforts prompted systemic changes within the San Francisco Police Department, highlighting the depth of anti-Black bias.

Founding the Black Employees Alliance (B.E.A) in 2019, Dante advocated against racial inequities, influencing significant investigations and policy changes. His leadership earned him prestigious awards, including the Dr. Huey P. Newton Trailblazer and Legacy Award.

Beyond his impactful career, Dante is a sought-after speaker, educator, and author. His courses at institutions like UCSF explore the roots of racism, while his publications, including "The 400-Year Holocaust," garner accolades. Dante's ongoing work promises deeper insights into whiteness and anti-Blackness, cementing his position as a visionary leader driving societal change…

➔ “Coded Bias for AI”, a Workshop on Technology

Lorenzo Murphy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Community Advocacy:

Discover the enigmatic Lorenzo Elvis Murphy, a driving force in Compton politics and a fervent advocate for community development. As the host of 'Compton Politics,' he unravels crucial discussions on local governance and societal issues every Monday. Beyond politics, Lorenzo actively fosters unity and empowerment in ways that go beyond the ordinary. Delve into his multifaceted role, including co-hosting the NAAAPY workshop on code bias, where he bridges the gap between community aspirations and technology. Join the journey with Lorenzo, a visionary shaping the narrative of Compton's future and beyond—where every chapter promises intrigue and positive change…

➔ “Shaping Reparations”, a Workshop on Public Policy

Meet Mandla Kayise, the visionary at the helm of New World Education (NWE), a powerhouse in education, professional development, and community planning. At NWE, he's not just the President and CEO; he's a catalyst for empowerment, growth, and success.

Mandla has ignited change for over two decades, delivering impactful services to students, parents, and professionals across the educational spectrum. His expertise extends from K-12 to universities, reaching communities nationally. Before NWE, he shaped minds at UCLA for a decade and led community projects in South Los Angeles.

Mandla's impact resonates beyond accolades. Local recognition from the Los Angeles NAACP, UCLA, and community organizations reflects his commitment. Serving on multiple boards, including UCLA Black Alumni Association and Destination Crenshaw, Mandla is a force in leadership. He actively shapes the city's future as a Los Angeles Reparations Advisory Commission member.

Hailing from Chicago, Mandla calls Los Angeles home. A proud graduate of Hamilton High School and UCLA, where he earned his BA in Economics and Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Mandla Kayise is not just a leader; he's a trailblazer shaping the educational and community landscape. Get ready to explore a world of empowerment with Mandla at the helm…

➔ “Educating Our Youth to Enter into Climate Control Careers”, a Workshop on Climate

Meet Kameale, the dynamo behind ChargerHelp, Inc. – the game-changer in on-demand electric vehicle charging station repair! As the Co-Founder and CEO, she's not just leading; she's revolutionizing how we power up.

Before sparking the ChargerHelp movement, Kameale was the powerhouse Director of Programs at EV Connect, orchestrating electric vehicle infrastructure projects globally. Her track record includes electrifying America, pioneering the Southern California Edison Charge Ready Pilot, and reshaping the New York Power Authority portfolio.

But Kameale's journey doesn't stop there. Picture this: she crafted and led the Customer Experience Department at EV Connect, championing local employment through strategic partnerships. A South Central Los Angeles native, Kameale's vision goes beyond tech – she believes in creating an equitable green economy through impactful workforce development.

Ready to dive into the future of electric vehicle charging with Kameale? Get set for a ride that's not just charged up but a realignment of how we power progress…

➔ “Black Excellence: Fathers Reimaging Early Education”, a Workshop on Early Education

Carlton Porter has been a successful Entrepreneur for over 40 years and 20 years as a single father.

His success as a black father has produced four exceptional adult children with impressive careers and a 10-year-old already gifted and accomplished. Carlton is one of the premier hair stylists in the United States today, with over 40 years in the Beauty and Barbering industry.

In the last 7 seven years, he has taken his talent into the financial sector. His passion is empowering Black Families to build wealth and create a family legacy through education & application of economic principles that fit the 21st century.

➔ “Sickle Cell: The Forgotten Disease”, a Workshop on Health Care

Get ready to meet the unstoppable force that is Nita Thompson – a business and personal empowerment dynamo, LAUSD surrogate parent, health advocate, and a beacon of knowledge in sickle cell and pain patient education!

In the thrilling year of 2021, Nita embarked on a game-changing mission by founding the World Sickle Cell Federation. Imagine, after 25 years of leading grassroots movements, she took it a step further to cultivate a new generation of sickle cell "warriors" and pain patient advocates.

Nita's advocacy isn't confined to a single arena – it spans from families to hospitals to court systems. Brace yourself for an enlightening journey guided by her expertise. Picture her making impactful contributions through blood, bone marrow, and umbilical cord stem cell donations, coupled with her mentorship that shapes the future. Nita Thompson is not just a consultant; she's a catalyst for empowerment and change…

➔ Keynote Address

Meet Dr. Chike Akua, the powerhouse in educational transformation! As an Instructional Leadership Strategist and Assistant Professor at Clark Atlanta University, he's a sought-after speaker and author of 11 impactful books, including "ParentPower" and "Education for Transformation." These books are keys to unlocking the genius of African American students and are used globally for professional development.

But that's not all – Dr. Akua is the creative mind behind 70 Black History and African Proverb Posters. He's revolutionizing education with Reading Revolution Online, a global academic support tool. With a doctorate from Georgia State University, a Master's from Clark Atlanta University, and cum laude honors from Hampton University, Dr Akua's credentials speak volumes.

Featured in Ebony, The Washington Post, and Black Enterprise, Dr. Akua's influence extends beyond publications. He's led over 1000 students and parents on transformative trips across Africa. Residing near Atlanta, GA, with his family, Dr. Chike Akua is not just an educator; he's a visionary shaping the future of education…

➔ “From Mandated Reporting to Mandated Supporting”, a Workshop on Child Welfare

Roman James began organizing in 2017 when she partnered with the Center for Judicial Excellence (“CJE”) and the California Protective Parents Association (“CPPA”) to bring a group of 20+ mother-survivors to request then-US representative Karen Bass’s support for House Concurrent Resolution 72. H Con Res 72 expressed the sense of Congress that child safety should be the first priority in custody and visitation adjudications. Not only did they win the support of Rep. Bass but, later, Rep. Maxine Waters.

After another significant effort organizing protective moms experiencing adverse outcomes in family court, James moved towards social justice for survivors entrapped in family court and child welfare. As a social justice activist for protective moms within the legal system, James was referred to the Domestic Violence Council’s DV-Child Welfare Ad Hoc workgroup by the Executive Director, Eve Sheedy. Her work in this workgroup led to LA County’s 2023 new initiative, Mandated Supporting.

James is most proud of her work with the International Coercive Control Conference. As a co-founder, James pushed for the diversity of panelists from around the globe, including South America, Africa, China, and Japan. As a result of her work with the conference – now in its third year – she has built relationships with esteemed researchers, psychologists, law enforcement, journalists, and domestic abuse advocates around the world. Her relationship-building skills and resourcefulness have allowed James to call on national and international experts to educate and inform local groups such as the California Department of Public Health-Domestic Violence Council and the CPPA. She has also moderated panels for the Jenesse Center and Family Court Awareness month organisers in the last two years.

As a survivor and newly appointed commissioner to the LA County Commission For Children and Families, James hopes that her lived experience of post-separation abuse, coercive control, and institutional betrayal will contribute profoundly to better policy and treatment of survivors within the legal system. She is building a career in policy and advocacy for domestic abuse survivors and their children with plans to host her survivor-led podcast. From there, Commissioner James plans to develop as an international speaker regarding gender-based violence.

➔ “Circulating the Black Dollar”, a Workshop on Economy

A business professional with a successful 27-year track record of operating a small business specialising in providing services to business owners of start-up companies, small to medium businesses, and non-profit organizations in designing business plans, developing marketing strategies, creating strategic marketing plans, public speaking, and training.

Crystal has provided impeccable services to her clients and is reliable, organized, detail-oriented, accurate, and technically savvy.

After 27 years of providing excellent services to many businesses, she has come to possess a vast knowledge of accounting and business solutions for start-up businesses, nonprofit organizations (i.e., churches, foster care agencies, insurance companies, childcare facilities, Community Development Corporations (CDC), medical offices, internet companies and several public companies traded on the NASDAQ.

➔ “The Mind Matters”, a Workshop on Wellness

Embark on the extraordinary journey of Angela Jackson – a Southern California native, educator, writer, and producer with a passion for transforming lives. Graduating from UCLA with a BS in Sociology and a concentration in Psychology in 1990, Ms. Jackson continued her educational pursuit with a Master's in counseling from California State University, Los Angeles.

Currently crafting her dissertation for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Ms. Jackson is not just a scholar; she's a storyteller. Collaborating with organizations and individuals, she weaves authentic stories into captivating books and films.

Her commitment to the community goes beyond academia. Ms. Jackson's foundational programming skills, honed at UCLA, led her to direct impactful community programs, including the LA Bridges program. With experience as the Assistant Director of the Los Angeles Sports Academy, she has been a catalyst for positive change.

Dedicated to social and educational programs, poems, music, movies, and TV shows that address community needs, Ms. Jackson recently concluded 8 years as VP of Social and Community Programs for the UCLA Black Alumni Association. Now, as she delves into her dissertation on "Urban African American Parental Involvement in A Secondary Public School," Ms. Jackson is on a mission to empower parents and educators to revolutionize public education. Join her quest to transform the future of education…

➔ “Why We Need to Have Our Own Schools”, a Workshop on Education

Arts educator and independent filmmaker Ben Caldwell grew up assisting his grandfather, who projected movies at a small theater in New Mexico. His passion for the visual arts lead him to study film at UCLA and reside in the neighborhood of Leimert Park, epicenter for the African American art scene in Los Angeles. After teaching film and video at Howard University in Washington, D.C. from 1981-84, Caldwell returned to Leimert Park and created an independent studio for video production and experimentation that became the KAOS Network, a community arts center that provides training on digital arts, media arts and multimedia. It remains the only organization of its kind in South Central Los Angeles that offers courses in video production, animation, website development, video teleconferencing, CD-ROM production and Internet exploration. Its legendary Project Blowed is a weekly open-mic workshop that gave birth to rappers and rap groups such as Aceyalone, Medusa, Busdriver, Freestyle Fellowship and Jurassic Five.

Caldwell’s films often trace historical and cultural connections. Eyewitness: Reflections of Malcolm X & the O.A.A.U. (2006) presents the Harlem reunion of ex-members of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. La Buena Vida (The Good Life) (2008), filmed over three years while Caldwell taught at the California Institute of the Arts, documents the cultural exchanges between a group of hip-hop artists and musicians from Los Angeles and their counterparts in Havana, Cuba…

➔ “Youth & Young Adults - The New Crack- A Real Conversation about the effects of social media and cell phone usage”, a Workshop on Common Sense Media

Youth, families, educators and community members are coming together to build a new vision of education and society. We are working together because we know our communities have the power to transform our schools and our society. Our voices matter, and they need to be heard. We want students in LA to attain skills and literacy in all subjects and become self-motivated, critical thinkers and participants in their schools and communities. Students need to be able to build skills in a nourishing environment and be prepared for their lives when they leave school.

Unfortunately, we see that schools have historically not done this and that the current trends in education are still moving our schools in the wrong direction. We need an immediate end to "reforms" that focus on testing, school closures, reconstitutions, pushing out more students, corporate charter companies running more schools, and cuts to vital areas like arts, music, ethnic studies, libraries, counselling services, adult education, and early childhood education.

We need to change the culture and practices of our schools so that they genuinely support every young person. We need to end racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. We don’t want to see the branding of some students as “good kids” and others as “bad kids.” We don’t want students to be pushed out of schools because they are low on credits, are gang-affiliated, have Special Education needs, and/or have recently immigrated.

We have a vision for the schools and communities that Los Angeles Students Deserve, and we are working together all across the city to make this vision a reality.

This vision was developed collaboratively by over 300 parents, teachers, and students and has been under continual revision as more students, parents and teachers get involved. Our hopes and dreams for our schools and our society continue to evolve…