Debra Watkins, Founder
Executive Director at ABEN

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Chike Akua, PhD
Assistant Prof􏰁essor of􏰁 Educational Leadership at Clark Atlanta University
CEO of􏰁 Imani Enterprises Consulting􏰀 LLC
​Teacher Trans􏰁ormation Institute 

One of the most sought after speakers at colleges, universities and conferences in the country. 

Areas of􏰁 Expertise:

• A􏰁frican-Centered Education
• Culturally Relevant Teaching􏰀
• Culturally Responsive Teaching􏰀
• Trans􏰁forming􏰀 School Culture
• Creating􏰀 Community in the Classroom
• Diversity, Equity & Accountability 

Publications:

• Education 􏰁for Transf􏰁ormation: The Keys to Releasing􏰀 the Genius of􏰁 Af􏰁rican American Students
• Honorin􏰀g Our Ancestral Obli􏰀gations: 7 Steps to Black Student Success
• ParentPower: The Keys to Your Child’s Academic & Social Success Reading􏰀 Revolution 

Website: www.drakua.net

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Angela Birts, PhD
Founder and Principal Consultant, Birts Equity and Inclusion Solutions Lecturer, University of California, Santa Cruz 

A reflective and compassionate leader, engaging students and staff in critical conversations around race, belonging and the power of collective voice.

Areas of Expertise: 

• Black Racial Identity Development
• Diversity Strategic Planning & Outcomes
• Youth Development
• College Access
• School Climate
• Social Impact 

Publications:

• Dissertation: The African American/Black Racial Tapestry: Black Adolescents’ Private School Experience and Racial Identity Development ​

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Tony Browder
Director of􏰁 IKG Cultural Resources and The ASA 

An author, publisher, cultural historian, artist, and an educational consultant who has devoted 30 years to researching􏰀 ancient E􏰀gyptian history, science, philosophy and culture.

Areas of Expertise:

• A􏰁frican and Af􏰁rican American History & Culture
• Nile Valley Studies 

Publications:

• From the Browder File
• Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization
• Survival Strate􏰀ies 􏰁for Af􏰁ricans in America
• E􏰀gypt on the Potomac
• Finding􏰀 Karakhamun 

Website: www.asarestorationproject.com 

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Stephen Hancock, PhD
Associate Pro􏰁essor, University of􏰁 North Carolina Charlotte
​Hancock Consultin􏰀g 

An instructor, researcher, and leader who has consulted with school districts in 5 states on how best to prepare diverse learners and their teachers 􏰁for a g􏰀lobal society.

Areas of Expertise:

• Multicultural & Urban Education
• Teacher Education
• Qualitative Research 

Publications:

• White Women's Work: Examining􏰀 the intersectionality between race, 􏰀gender, and teaching􏰀;
• Autoethno􏰀raphy as a Li􏰀ghthouse: Illuminating􏰀 race, research, and the politics of􏰁 schooling􏰀 

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Linda McKenzie, PhD
CEO of􏰁 Global Empathy Training􏰀 Academy 

A dedicated pro􏰁fessional working􏰀 with the best 􏰁facilitators in specialized holistic leadership courses. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Leadership Strateg􏰀ist
• Colleg􏰀e Readiness Coach
• Training􏰀 Facilitator 

Publications:

• Dissertation: The Stereotypes and Biases That Pla􏰀gue Millennial Leaders: Best Practices and Strate􏰀gies 􏰁for Job Promotion 

Website: www.􏰀globalempathytraining􏰀.com 

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Ayana Olatunji, M.Ed.
Project Coordinator and Social Media Manag􏰀er at ABEN 

A skillf􏰁ul, or􏰀ganized leader, consultant and freelance writer who does contracted work relevant to K-12 youth.

Areas of Expertise:

• Creative Writing􏰀
• K-12 Education
• Social Media
• World History 

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Website: www.aben4ace.org