Fellowships

Youth Coach

Alexandra is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is a returning coach and facilitator for Diversity Talks in her 2nd year. Alexandra is passionate about cosmetology and plans to attend school to become a cosmetologist. She also hopes to one day open her own salon.

Youth Facilitator

Ashley is a sophomore and attends high school in RI. She is a member of Fraternidad Folklorica Boliviana de Rhode Island, which is a cultural dance organization. Ashley is passionate about helping and advocating for others, baking, and interior design. Ashley plans to attend graduate college to obtain a medical degree and become a surgeon. She also hopes to open her own bakery in the future.

Youth Facilitator

Benjamin is a sophomore and attends high school in RI. Benjamin is a part of his school’s Wind Ensemble, marching band, jazz band, and Environmental Club. He is passionate about listening to and making music, learning and sharing knowledge, and making a positive impact on his community. Benjamin plans to attend college and obtain a degree in biology with hopes to use his degree to help others. He also plans to continue creating music and become a volunteer firefighter.

Youth Facilitator

Colin is a senior and attends high school in RI. Colin is involved in his school’s student council and participates in theatre programs inside and outside of school. He is passionate about being a guiding light to the people around him and creating an inclusive environment out of any space he's in. Colin wishes to make a lasting impact with his activism in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Youth Facilitator

Carlos is a junior and attends high school in RI. He is passionate about human rights, equality, wildlife preservation, and the arts- with an interest in painting and pottery. Carlos plans on attending college to study animal science and obtain a career as a zoo keeper or zoologist.

Youth Facilitator

Cassie is a senior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of the We Won’t Be Silenced reproductive rights campaign and is trained in Kingian Nonviolence. Cassie is a part of various musical groups at her school including Drama, Concert Choir, Chorus, and A Capella. Cassie is an advocate in the areas of STEM and the Arts, and plans on obtaining a career in biology.

Youth Facilitator

Elcira is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is the president of her school's DECA Chapter as well as a member of her school’s music department. Her passions include writing, composing music, and working in areas of mental health and racial discrimination Elcria plans to be a critically acclaimed novelist and a lifelong activist.

Youth Facilitator

Emily is a senior and attends high school in RI. Emily is a member of the varsity lacrosse team and is involved in her school's student council. She is passionate about being authentic to herself, experiencing life to the fullest, and building connections with others. Emily plans on attending college to pursue a doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy.

Youth Facilitator

Jackie is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of her school’s cross country, track and field team, and the French Club. Jackie is passionate about traveling abroad and global social justice issues. Jackie plans to attend college to become a doctor of medicine.

Youth Coach

Jai is a senior and attends high school in RI. They are a member of the Women in Technology Club, and is a 2nd year returning coach for Diversity Talks. Jai is passionate about computer science and social justice and plans to attend college to pursue a degree in computer science. Jai wants to obtain a career in law enforcement in hopes of aiding others.

Youth Coach

Jasmine is a senior and attends a high school in RI. Jasmine is a member of the organization Making Caring Common, The National Honor Society, and is on her school’s Cross Country team. Jasmine is passionate about self-improvement and is always looking to challenge herself and learn new things. Jasmine plans to attend the University of Rhode Island and obtain her bachelors in biological life sciences. She then wants to continue to medical school to become an anesthesiologist.

Youth Facilitator

Jasmine is a senior and attends high school in RI. Jasmine is on the track and field team, a member of her school’s International Club, and is the Vice President of the Portuguese Club. Jasmine is passionate in her activism for women’s rights, racial equity, and education. Jasmine plans on becoming an obstetrician or gynecologist and wants to eventually run her own women's shelter.

Youth Facilitator

Jenna is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is passionate about music, advocating for mental health awareness, and continuously working to dismantle toxic norms. Jenna plans to attend college to obtain a masters degree to become a therapist for youth.

Youth Facilitator

Julianna is a sophomore and attends high school in RI. She is a member of the RI Children's Chorus, drama club, academic decathon, and her school’s Youth Commission. She is also on the tennis and basketball team. Juliana is passionate about music, the arts, advocating for health care and social justice issues. Juliana plans to attend college and obtain a degree to allow her to ensure the voices of marginalized communities are heard and validated.

Youth Coach

Kayla is a senior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of the Women in Technology Club, student council, the National Honor Society, and is a 2nd year returning coach for Diversity Talks. Kayla enjoys being creative and building projects in Minecraft and The Sims. Kayla plans to use her passion for building to study architecture in college and plans to teach as well.

Youth Facilitator

Kayla Suchite is a senior and attends high school in RI. Kayla is passionate about social justice and is trained in Kingian Nonviolence at her school. Kayla is also a lover of music and theater. Kayla plans to attend college and obtain a degree in education and teaching.

Youth Facilitator

Kiara is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of her school’s cross country and track and field teams, Technology Student Association, and a Girls on The Run volunteer. Kiara is passionate about running, science, and advocating for equal rights for all. Kiara plans to be the first person in her family to graduate from a 4 year university and will pursue a career in medicine or science.

Youth Facilitator

Leandhy is a junior and attends high school in RI. Leandhy enjoys playing tennis, running, reading, and staying up to day with all things pop culture. She is passionate about wellness, making a positive impact, and advocating for equal rights. Leahndy plans to attend her dream school of Stanford University to obtain a medical degree and become a cardiologist. She also hopes to travel the world and continue her civic duty as an activist.

Youth Facilitator

Mya is a senior and attends high school in RI. Mya is a member of Gen Z: We Want to Live; a youth-led organization that focuses on "making changes to our current society in order to move towards a future where racism is no longer a threat to their lives." She is also a competitive dancer and sings in her school choir. Mya is passionate about anything to do with activism in favor of equality amongst all people. She is planning on majoring in psychology at a university and then possibly attending medical school to become a psychiatrist.

Youth Facilitator

Natalie is a senior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of her school’s soccer and softball team, and enjoys creating art in her spare time. Natalie is passionate about advocating for youth and making a difference in the world so generations to come do not have to endure the difficulties of today.

Youth Facilitator

Rowen is a junior and attends high school in RI. He is a member of his school’s marching band, wind ensemble, and French Club. Rowen is passionate about climate change and environmental preservation. Rowen plans to obtain a doctorate in veterinary medicine and pursue a career in wildlife rescue.

Youth Facilitator

Timi is a junior and attends high school in RI. He is a member of his school’s soccer team and a Junior Representative in the Panther Republic; his school student government. Timi is passionate about soccer, sportsmanship, and speaking up for what you believe in. Timi plans to attend college and obtain a degree in Zoology.

Youth Facilitator

Tommy is a sophomore and attends high school in RI. Tommy is a member of his school’s Theater Department and Dungeons & Dragons Club. He is passionate about philosophy, psychology, law, and helping others. Tommy plans on attending college to study psychology and law and wants to become a psychiatrist for local law offices and organizations.

Youth Facilitator

Valeria is a junior and attends high school in RI. She is a member of her school’s student council and class committee. She is also a member of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Valeria is passionate about criminal justice reform and advocating for those in need. She plans on using her passion for advocacy to impact her community and being a liaison to lift the voices of others.

he/him | History Teacher | Birmingham, Alabama

Al Elliott is a veteran educator and community artist. He has been trained in the area of mathematics early in his career by Robert Moses and the Algebra Project and has been implementing the constructivist principles learned throughout his career. He has a bachelor's and a master’s degree in elementary education from UAB. He was also a 2016 TEDxBirmingham speaker and 2017 REV Birmingham Co.Starter graduate. Al Elliott is also a budding actor in both theater and film starting in the Steel Magic Theatre’s 2019 presentations of August Wilson’s FENCES and Radio Golf and also stars in Sword Of Trust, a film shot in Birmingham, Alabama, directed by Lynn Shelton. He performs music under the moniker Thed Weller.

she/her | Science Teacher | South Bronx, New York

Amber Coury grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC in a Lebanese-American household. Amber received my Bachelor in Science as a Psychology major at James Madison University. As a 2011 TFA Alumni, Amber started her educational career as a 7th Grade Special Education Teacher at P.S./M.S 34 – a public school in New York City. After four years, Amber moved to the KIPP Charter Network as a high school teacher in the South Bronx. During my 6 years at KIPP Amber began to develop the Psychology curriculum and program as both an elective and an AP class. Currently Amber teaches courses of AP Psychology and facilitates a restorative justice student led program called Fairness Committee. It is their goal to build accountable and equitable communities with the use of student voice and restorative practices. Amber's passions outside of education are traveling, going to live concerts, exploring new restaurants, and just being in the company of friends and family.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Kansas City

Annelise Mozzoni is a 2nd year teacher at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She has her bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing and a master’s degree in Teaching. Between her former role at The National Writing Project’s Young Writers Camp and her current teaching role, she has worked with writers from the ages of 8 to 18. She is committed to the empowerment of young, diverse voices through writing and the analysis of texts that challenge and deconstruct revisionist history. She hopes to provide her students with the knowledge to advocate for justice with power and empathy.

she/her | Newport, Rhode Island

Mrs. Darthula (pronounced Dah-Too-La) Mathews is currently a ninth-grade advisor at The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center High School (also known as The Met). Her preferred pronouns are she, her, hers. She is responsible for working with students and their families to create personalized learning plans which guide students through each trimester and academic year. Mathews must anticipate the educational needs of each of her students based on their personal and career interests as well as their abilities. Mathews is currently a building liaison on her school’s Anti-Racism Group. In her local community, she serves on the Policy Subcommittee as a member of the district's school committee’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. Throughout the years, she has been known to support organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and in her childhood community, she has been known to support a community food pantry. Mathews core values are family, education, and community.

she/her | History Teacher | Dallas, Texas

Diyaanka Jhaveri is a current 8th grade US Studies teacher in Dallas Texas. As a first generation Indian - American, she teaches with the goal of decolonizing the curriculum at the center of her classroom. She is passionate about creating a more equitable education system and about telling untold stories of her students. Outside of education, she enjoys reading fantasy novels,finding sustainable alternatives to items and spending time with her family and friends. She holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Education from Southern Methodist University.

she/her | History Teacher | Kansas City, Kansas

Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Langa: Originally from St. Louis, MO, received undergraduate degrees in Secondary Education and History and is currently finishing a Master’s degree in History from Missouri State University. Elizabeth teaches high school social studies, primarily American History and Human Rights, at Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences in Kansas City, Kansas. Additionally, Elizabeth coached 8th grade soccer and high school tennis. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys running, gardening, cooking, and reading about local history.

she/her | Science Teacher | Chicago, Illinois

Emily is a Global STEM Challenges teacher at Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Previously, she taught in Chicago, IL, and Pawtucket, RI. Emily is a 2015 recipient of the Knowles Teacher Initiative; she is currently a member of the Knowles Engineering Leadership Team. Emily is a 2017 recipient of the Teach Plus Rhode Island Policy Fellowship. Previously she has presented at the 2021 BLM at Schools Curriculum Fair, the 2017 NSTA national conference, the 2017 Education for Liberation Network's Free Minds Free People national conference, the 2017 National Association of Multicultural Education national conference, and the 2017 annual meeting of the National Council for the Social Studies. Emily has experience drafting curriculum for MIT’s BLOSSOMS program and for Bite Scis. She holds a BA in neuroscience and behavior and a BA in psychology from Wesleyan University, and an MAT in secondary science education from Brown University.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Frances M. Wilkins is an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at John Bartram High School in the School District of Philadelphia. Ms. Wilkins received a M.Sc. of degree in Global and International Education from Drexel University and a M.Ed. and her B.A. from St. Joseph’s University. Ms. Wilkins leads professional development sessions and workshops for non-ESOL teachers. Her expertise includes curriculum design, lesson delivery, assessment, and the instructional use of technology for LEP students. She collaborates with the Office of Multilingual Curriculum and Programs at the School District of Philadelphia to support the English Language Learner’s in the classroom.She is the 2012 recipient of the Lindback Award for excellence in teaching and is an alumna of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs “Teachers for Global Classrooms” Fulbright program.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Dallas, Texas

Ivory Bennett is a published millennial currently working in Dallas, Texas as a dual-accredited English teacher and cheer coach at a Title 1 Collegiate Academy. She is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native and former foster youth with 17 years of lived experience. Ivory has a Bachelor of Arts dual degree from The University of Pittsburgh in Africana Studies and English Literature with a minor in Theatre Arts (Performance). She also has a Master of Education Administration from Concordia University; she is an aspiring Doctoral student. Outside of work, Ivory is a national equity advocate for education and foster care. Holistic health and well-being are integral pillars of her personal and professional pedagogies. She loves to travel internationally, try new vegan dishes, and tend to her plant-babies. Ivory eagerly awaits the arrival of her fiancé from Nigeria and their new Lhasa Apso puppy, Bella aka Pup Smoke

she/her | History Teacher | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As a proud public school graduate, Janel is honored to work with Philadelphia’s students. Janel currently teaches middle and high school US History, AP US History, and Gender Studies at the GW Carver HS of Engineering and Science. Janel received her undergraduate degree in Afro-American Studies from Harvard University and a Master's Degree in Education and Certificate in Project Based Learning from the University of Pennsylvania. Janel was the 2018 recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Janel is passionate about equity work because every student deserves to see themselves reflected in what they learn. Janel is also excited to participate in a space that allows students to voice their experiences and have an authentic stake in the decisions that impact them.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jazmine Moore is a Middle Grades English teacher who has worked for the KIPP Charter School Network for the last year 8 years. Jazmine began her teaching career as a Teach For America Corps member after attending Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. There, she majored in Middle Grades Education with a minor in Urban Education. As a child, Jazmine moved often, and upon experiencing the segregation and oppression that continues to persist throughout our county, she vowed to become an educator so she could secure her position on the front lines. We have a duty to do all that we can to insist that our children receive the social justice and equity that they deserve.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Washington, DC

Jennifer A. McLaughlin, a graduate of Hampton University and the George Washington University, is the English LEAP Leader and Department Chair at Wilson High School and agent of change in DCPS. As LEAP Leader, she leads building-level professional development focused on culturally responsive teaching and equitable grading practices. One of her primary objectives is to change outcomes by challenging the status quo in curriculum and educational norms. By decolonizing her classroom, she hopes to create a more liberating space for her students and her school community.

she/her | History Teacher | Osseo, Minnesota

Jessica Stewart is a veteran 23-year social studies educator from the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Creating antiracist and decolonized spaces and curriculum is her passion. Establishing spaces and experiences so that her scholars are able to show up as their true authentic selves is centered in everything she does. Over the past 5 years, Jessica has created 4 new courses that are taught at every high school in her district -- Race and Culture (I and II) and LGBTQ Studies (I and II). She also was a finalist for the 2021 MN Teacher of the Year award. Jessica is excited to be part of this fellowship and look forward to some spectacular learning experiences.

they/them | Science Teacher | High Point, North Carolina

F. Kai Montgomery is a Bronx bred abolitionist educator living in and loving da Souf. They are active in community organizing across the state of North Carolina, including Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) Durham chapter and the North Carolina Black Leadership and Organizing Collective (NC BLOC). Kai also enjoys pole dancing, writing poetry, and is an avid reader and amateur astronomer. They have been teaching secondary science for 2.5 years in Guilford County. Before beginning their teaching career, Kai graduated from Appalachian State University’s Physics Secondary Education program, and it was during their time at this institution that they unearthed their passion for teaching. Since then, they have been committed to forging connections between their work in equity and justice, STEM, and education. In the near future, Kai’s goals include teaching the first astronomy course at their school, and pursuing a graduate degree in Urban Education.

she/her | Math Teacher | Clarksville, Indiana

Laura is a middle school teacher at Community Montessori in New Albany, IN. She started her first year as a teens-advisor, mid-pandemic, joining a team of six incredible educators. She teaches math, social studies, and science with Montessori pedagogy. She is dedicated to each learners' growth and development, using skills from her experience as a leadership facilitator and summer camp director in her previous work. She lives in Louisville, KY with her partner and her dog, Tilly. She is dedicated to an embodied practice of collective liberation, both in her personal life and in her teaching.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Dallas, Texas

Nancy is in her 8th year in the classroom, teaching vivacious 6th grade students in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. She is the daughter of hardworking immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico who journeyed to this country to give their children every opportunity they never had. Because of the “échale ganas” mentality her parents instilled in her and those teachers that signaled her out of the crowd, she was a kid who made it "out of the hood", but she came back. Her name, along with the languages she speaks, and her identity all closely resemble those of her students because she teaches at a school down the street from where she now lives and grew up. Nancy's students remind her of herself and for them, she is determined to create an anti-racist classroom rooted in love, family, and a thirst for learning so that the next generation of abolitionists walks out of her doors.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Los Angeles, California

Nikysha Gilliam earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and later an M.A. in Educational Administration from California State University, in Northridge, California. An educator in LAUSD for over 20 years, Gilliam enjoys helping her students find and recognize the power of their own voices. She is a Fulbright Fellow (2018-2019), LAUSD and LA County Teacher of the Year (2019), California State Teacher of the Year Finalist (2020), and recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Educational Leadership for Social Justice where her dissertation research focused on Senegalese parent, family, and community engagement in education. Gilliam is married, is the mother of two "grown-ish" children, and makes her home in Los Angeles, CA.

she/her | ELA Teacher | Denver, Colorado

Shannon Gallagher has been teaching high school English for 5 years in the Denver area. Her school is incredibly diverse and serves students from all over the world. Shannon team teaches 10th grade English with a Special Education teacher. Their school’s principal passed away suddenly this year, and she was a huge proponent of equity work, so Shannon is excited to continue that work in her honor. Shannon lives in the Denver area with her new husband and their dog, Sadie!

she/her | History Teacher | Washington, DC

Shelina Warren is an Arkansas native, Army veteran, and social studies teacher leader currently finishing her fifth year at Dunbar High School in Washington, DC, teaching law-related courses. She has spent 18 years in education. Shelina is the director of the Eleanor Holmes Norton Law and Public Policy Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education, two Masters of Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Urban Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Warren achieved National Board Certification in Social Studies in 2013 and has won numerous awards, including 2012 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Finalist – 2nd Runner-Up, the Mikva Challenge DC Inspiring Education Award 2018, the Anna Julia Cooper Award in Civic Action and Social Change in 2020, and 2021 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year Finalist - 2nd Runner-Up.

she/her | History Teacher | Baltimore, Maryland

Theresa Bruce is a champion of student voice, educational equity and teacher wholeness. A native Baltimorean hailing from West Baltimore, she is a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (2005) as well as the University of Maryland, Baltimore County(2009). After earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago (2011), she knew there would be no better place to advocate for youth than her hometown of Baltimore. Currently she is an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, passionate about student voice & student choice and the infusion of cultural relevance and advocacy into her lessons. She also is a leader in the use of instructional technology in her school community. Her most recent accomplishments include serving as a 2019 Future of School Grant recipient, 2020 Modern Classrooms Fellowship recipient, 2020 Baltimore City Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist and 2021 Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year for the Maryland Council for Social Studies. Outside of her passion for education, she enjoys reading, journaling, crafting and trying different restaurants around the city. These are all forms of self care that she thoroughly enjoys. Additionally, she is an animal lover with 7 fur babies (6 cats and 1 pit bull) and an awesome husband who supports all of her out of the box ideas! She is looking forward to connecting with other educators during this challenging time for a more reflective practice that will push students success during virtual instruction and beyond.