Furthering the Legacies of Historical Black Educators

In honor of Black History Month, we will host a panel discussion with leaders in the education community to highlight the important contributions of historical Black educators and ways we build on their work to create opportunities for equity and equality in America's public education system.

Come be a part of the discussion as Dr. Sonya Whitaker, National Director for Educational Policy for PUSH Excel, moderates the following panel:

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- Dr. Karla Guseman began her career in education at Joliet Township High School in Illinois in 2000 as a Science teacher at Joliet Central. Today, she serves as the Superintendent of Joliet Township High School District 204.

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- Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat is the superintendent of Peoria Public Schools in Illinois. She has worn many educational hats, including: working for the Tri County Urban League as a middle school teacher; principal of the U.S. Department Blue Ribbon Award winning Whittier Primary School; assistant principal of Roosevelt Magnet School, and principal of Manual Academy. She also served as the Transformation Officer for Springfield Public Schools and then Associate Superintendent of Schools in Danville from 2013 – 2015.

- Dr. Jason Ottley is the Executive Director for The Bond Educational Group, a non-profit organization that invests in the lives of underserved communities through education and entrepreneurship, and an assistant professor at Kennesaw State University. He is a race scholar positioned to change the way schools and organizations function by revising policies and practices entrenched in white supremacy.