An interesting story I might share from the stage is "From Awareness to Action: Seeing Diversity." This talk aims to raise awareness of the importance of diversity in the workplace. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of diversity and biases and how they can impact their interactions with others. They will also reflect on their own experiences with bias and discover methods to counteract it. This talk will offer practical techniques to enhance diversity and address biases. Listeners will walk away with a stronger appreciation of the value of diversity and the role they play in creating a place where we all can take up space.

As an educator of 20 years with experience in the nation's 2nd most diverse school district, a professor of teacher education, a mother of a black child who attended the 3rd largest public school system, and a student of color and immigrant who faced my own struggles with diversity, I am fulfilling my dream through my small business. I am passionate about using my expertise to make a difference in the lives of teachers and their students, particularly students of color.

I recall my own journey as a 9-year-old Jamaican immigrant in an American classroom. I proudly stood up to speak as a sign of respect, a custom from my culture. But instead of understanding, I was met with cruel whispers and ridicule from my classmates. This experience shattered my confidence and made me feel humiliated, leading me to silence my voice and make myself small.

This experience in my schooling was one I would wish on no one. But unfortunately, students of color face similar challenges that lead to underachievement and disengagement.

I saw this pattern repeating with my daughter and countless other black and brown students, who sat silently in their classrooms with gifts and talents unrecognized. This broke my heart but also lit a fire within me to start a company dedicated to amplifying the voices of these students and empowering them to flourish culturally, academically, socially, and emotionally. My goal is to help these students reach their full potential and overcome the obstacles they face in education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Knowing that my work can impact the 53% of students in the US public school system who come from Black and Brown communities is what motivates me. I make it happen every day because, despite being the majority, these students continue to face challenges in education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These challenges not only affect individuals but also have a ripple effect on society as a whole. I am dedicated to taking action and risks for the students who need it the most.

In a little over two short years since our launch, we have had the privilege of working with over 30,000 teachers across the globe, designing a powerful framework for educational equity, creating a dynamic teaching system, and partnering with a Fortune 500 company. This is a testament to our work's impact in the fight to level the playing field in education for children of color. We are proud of our work but know there is so much more to be done to shape the future of education for generations to come.