Dr. Meria Carstarphen has more than 20 years of transformational leadership and executive management experience in education, with a track record of dramatically improving student and organizational outcomes. Nationally recognized as a successful and experienced public education leader skilled at managing billion-dollar organizations efficiently and effectively, her collective impact spans over 800,000 students, more than 20,000 employees and hundreds of schools. Over her career, she has served as teacher and administrator, and, in the role of superintendent, led the major metropolitan American public school districts including Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Most recently, she joined Gallup as a Senior Scientist, their first ever in education.

Most recently, Morgan State University in Maryland has appointed her as the inaugural director of the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED). In this role, her primary objective is to research and solve longstanding inequities in education for our most vulnerable and disenfranchised student groups so they can have choice-filled lives. Dr. Carstarphen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and Spanish from Tulane University, Master of Education degrees from Harvard University and Auburn University graduate schools, and a doctorate in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy with a concentration in urban superintendency from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has also studied at the University of Seville, Spain, and the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Dr. Carstarphen has experience in research, journalism, and documentary photography. She is a recovering marathon runner and a dedicated mentor to many.  She hails from Selma, Alabama, where she was born and raised in a family of four girls.

Dr. Leslie A. Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences and a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience, primarily serving Black youths and families. As a faculty affiliate of The National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED), she conducts research on the social and emotional learning and psychological well-being of both children and adults. Dr. Anderson earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from the University of Georgia.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Anderson’s program of research focuses on the intersection of Black familial processes, race and racism, and psychological well-being. Specifically, she investigates how racial socialization and a positive racial identity act as protective factors against racial harm and injury.

Her research has been published in the Journal of Family Theory and Review, the Journal of Black
Psychology, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, the Journal of Research on Adolescence, the Journal of Social Issues and others. Dr. Anderson also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Family Theory and Review and Family Process, and she reviews for numerous other academic journals.

A cornerstone of Dr. Anderson’s scholarship is her commitment to amplifying the voices of underserved and historically excluded communities while centering their lived experiences. She is currently part of a multi-institutional research team conducting a longitudinal project funded by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) that aims to identify risk and protective factors for suicidality among young Black children in early and middle childhood.

Walter Fields is the founder of the Black Parents Workshop, Inc., a not-for-profit parents advocacy organization based in South Orange-Maplewood, NJ that championed a landmark federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Black students in the local school district. Walter previously served as Director of Public Affairs for the New York Trial Lawyers Association, and Vice President for Government Relations for the Community Service Society in New York City. Upon his relocation to Maryland, he has assumed the role of Co-Chairperson of the Advisory Council Strong Schools Maryland, a statewide education equity advocacy organization. In addition, he serves on the Board of Child First Authority, an organization that sponsors in-school and out-of-school programming at twelve Baltimore City community schools. In the past, Walter was a Member of the Prince George’s County (MD) Board of Education, appointed by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and served as the Chair of the Policy and Governance Committee.  He served for many years on the Board of the New Jersey State Conference of the N.A.A.C.P. and was the organization’s political director.

His background also includes work as an award-winning journalist and experience in every medium of journalism – daily press, magazines, radio, television, and Internet news. He was hired by NBC News as an original political contributor on the MSNBC Cable News Channel and for MSNBC.com, contributor to National Public Radio (NPR), news anchor on WRKS “KISS-FM” in New York City, Contributing Editor to New Jersey Reporter Magazine, and Publisher of City Limits Magazine in New York City. Walter Fields has also been a strong advocate for diversity in media and accountability in reporting. Walter has also been an adjunct professor in political science at Montclair State University and a Visiting Lecturer in public policy at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan.  Walter has consulted on projects in Japan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland.

Dr. Simone Gibson currently serves as the Assistant Director for Literacy at the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED) and holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Morgan State University. Before transitioning to teacher education, Dr. Gibson gained extensive experience as a classroom educator in Howard County, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s County Public Schools. In her present role as a literacy specialist, she focuses her research and professional development efforts on equipping both pre-service and in-service teachers with the skills to integrate culturally humble and evidence-based practices into literacy instruction. Dr. Gibson has contributed to the academic field through the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Janet Hopkins serves as the Operations Manager at the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED), where she applies her extensive expertise in management, budgeting, and operations to ensure the Center’s successful establishment and long-term growth. Throughout her career, she has held diverse roles, including Project Administrator, Sales Director, Accounting Analyst, and Budget Officer, which have equipped her with a versatile skill set blending strategic planning with effective execution.

Driven by a passion for educational equity, Janet is dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive environments that empower all learners. Her leadership is distinguished by her ability to cultivate collaboration, optimize resource management, and implement solutions that sustain the Center’s operational excellence. Janet holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Dr. Elizabeth Holliday Morgan, is a passionate educator, researcher, and advocate for disability rights and inclusion, is committed to empowering BIPOC mothers and ensuring equitable access to services for their children. Her dedication began during her tenure as a K-12 teacher and administrator.

As an Associate Professor in Morgan State University’s Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy with affiliation to the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED), Dr. Morgan strives to amplify marginalized voices through impactful community-based applied research projects and to prepare the next generation of educational leaders and disability rights advocates.

Isaac Taylor is a Research Assistant at the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities, School of Education and Urban Studies. He holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and an M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Cape Coast, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Valley View University, and an MSc. in Global Health and Management from the University of Aberdeen. Currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Science Education at Morgan State University, he is passionate about uplifting and supporting Black Science Educators and promoting a diverse, thriving teacher workforce.

Isaac’s career in education spans over a decade, including teaching high school science students from 2011 to 2021 under the Ghana Education Service. He also served as an adjunct lecturer at the College of Distance Education (CODE) of the University of Cape Coast and the College of Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) of the University of Education, Winneba, where he tutored students in Integrated Science, Basic Chemistry, and Methods of Teaching Basic School Science.

In addition to his teaching experience, Isaac has worked with the Wallace Foundation in the USA and the Dennis Law Legacy Trust in Scotland. He has authored two publications in the field of education and served as a Center Inspector for the National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations from 2017 to 2020. Isaac holds teaching licenses with the General Teaching Council of Scotland and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the United Kingdom. His research interests include in-service education and science teacher retention.

Dr. Darryl L. Williams has more than 30 years of educational leadership and coaching in education, with experience in Washington, DC, and Maryland. He served in urban and suburban school systems and served as a mentor and coach to many. During his career, he has served as mathematics teacher, principal of a middle school, and two high schools with a student population that was over 2200 students. In his role as a central office administrator and superintendent, he served and led in the largest and third largest school systems in Maryland. His focus was on student achievement, teacher and principal pipeline, community partnerships and family engagement, school and system budgets. He served as the secretary for one year for PSSAM – Public School Superintendent Association of Maryland, and a member of AASA – The School Superintendent Association and Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium. He finished his four year contract as superintendent in 2023.

In August 2023, Morgan State University in Maryland appointed him as a Professor of Practice and Program Director of the Admin 1 & MS Program in Educational Administration and Supervision. In addition, he was hired as the assistant director of the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED) focusing on urban teacher and leader recruitment and retention. He also has an interest in leadership positions for women and Black males. Dr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Hampton University (VA), a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from American University (DC), and a Doctor of Education in Education Policy and Leadership from University of Maryland College Park (MD).

He has experience in school improvement, middle school reform, and coaching. He is an avid musician and served as Minister of Music. He loves watching sports and action movies, and spending time with his family. He hails from Washington, DC and was the first graduating class of Benjamin Banneker Academic HS.

Tammie Workman has dedicated her career to education. With over 25 years of experience, she has been both an elementary and middle school teacher, an elementary school principal in a border community and a major capital city, and the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in Atlanta Public Schools. Committed to student success, she has led initiatives to improve equity, support student well-being, and enhance educational programs. During her tenure in Atlanta, she oversaw double-digit graduation rate increases for students with disabilities, led efforts to exit disproportionality status for the over-suspension of African American students with disabilities, and spearheaded the district-wide implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) and other positive behavior supports. Ms. Workman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Kentucky.

Beyond her leadership in educational institutions, Ms. Workman has extensive experience leading multi-media educational initiatives, serving as an advisor and producer on documentary films, and contributing to project and executive leadership teams for both active and in-progress private and public grants.

Ms. Workman remains actively involved in her Maryland community, serving as a board trustee for a local family foundation and supporting nonprofit and organizations dedicated to improving outcomes for children, youth, and adults.