Meet Class 6

Abby grew up in Defiance. She currently lives with her family in Delaware. She earned a bachelor’s in Special Education from The University of Toledo and a master’s in Teaching and Learning from NOVA Southeastern. Abby has a total of 27 years of teaching experience, starting her career with 8 years at Delaware City Schools, and the past 19 years at Olentangy Local Schools as an Intervention Specialist, Mentor Teacher, and Intervention Department Chair.

Abby currently serves on the Facilities Committee for Delaware City Schools which was re-established in 2024 to evaluate and suggest short- and long-term facility needs for the district, including PreK-high school and extracurricular needs.

Abria was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH and is a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School. She attended HBCU Wilberforce University where she majored in Political Science. She has spent the majority of her career in non-profit sector with local government agencies. Abria currently serves as a Senior Admin Specialist with the City of Cincinnati, and she is a parent of two CPS students. Strongly opinionated and an advocate by nature drives her to strive to make changes in issues, policies, and decisions that affect our local community. She is eager in her pursuit of transparency, equality, and proficiency in our schools.

Amanda is a visionary leader who creates opportunities for students to excel through innovative programs, resulting in educational attainment and fostering community engagement. She has served the public and private sectors of K-12 and post-secondary education in four states.

Ana was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies from Mount St. Joseph University.

Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Studies with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate. She is entering her 15th year in the Princeton City School District as the District Bilingual Parent Liaison and Family Engagement Leader. Her journey working with the community began in a diverse community in New York. Later, she brought her expertise to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she has been actively engaged with the community for over 19 years.

Facing personal challenges while navigating the education system highlighted the need for support, inspiring her to become a family engagement leader and parent advocate.

Angela Houston is deeply rooted in Cincinnati's educational community, having graduated from Cincinnati Public Schools herself. Her commitment to education spans both her personal and professional life. Angela's journey in teaching began in 2001 as an English instructor at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, followed by Alliance Academy in 2004. Since 2008, she has been an integral part of Cincinnati Public Schools, starting at Withrow High School where she served as an English teacher, department chair, and member of the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT).

Currently, Angela holds a pivotal role at Hughes STEM High School as a Reading Specialist English teacher, department chair, CFT Union Rep, and member of ILT. Her dedication to fostering educational excellence extends beyond the classroom. Angela has actively contributed to various educational foundations and organizations, including the North Avondale Montessori Foundation and PTO, and presently, the Gamble Montessori Foundation. Her commitment to educational leadership is further evidenced by her two-year tenure on the board of a start-up charter school.

Angela is not only an educator but also a parent deeply invested in the educational journey of her two teenage sons, Jaycee and Jaylen, who also attend Cincinnati Public Schools. Her multifaceted roles in teaching, leadership, and community involvement underscore her passion for advancing education and supporting student success in Cincinnati.

Angela is a published author, singer, actress, founder and Executive Director of a non-profit 501C3 Sistah's acts of kindness. She has decades of experience in banking finance and account management. During the pandemic she was inspired to work as a case worker for Hamilton county Job and Family Services.

Angela currently works for the City of Cincinnati's Fire Department supporting the CFO and fire chief . She is a mother of three adult children that graduated from Cincinnati public Schools and all graduated from accredited colleges. She is also grandmother of one. Her passion for children with special needs comes from her personal experiences, trials and successes. She has written a children's book called William Wiggle Worm that captures a day in the life of a child with ADHD and how to navigate their world.

Ben Kelly is a lifelong Cincinnati resident living in OTR. He has worked on a variety of campaigns in Cincinnati and Hamilton County, including on Aftab Pureval's mayoral run where he served as a fundraiser. Currently he serves as the Director of Policy and Communications for Councilmember Victoria Parks. Ben is passionate about mental health and previously volunteered at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, where he talked with callers in crisis and aimed to stop them from making any dangerous decisions. This experience showed Ben the importance of honest communication and how we need to be aggressive in combatting the mental health epidemic, and one of the best ways to do this is to start in our schools. A graduate of Ohio State University with a double major in Political Science and Public Affairs, Ben is completing his Master's in Public Policy at Northern Kentucky University.

Betty Torrence is the Co-Director of Education for Dohn Community High School. She has 8 years of experience in education. Betty is passionate about curriculum & instruction and its contribution to the cognitive development of a student brain. She is also passionate about providing students with a safe environment where they are comfortable being themselves. 

Betty pushes herself to experience and learn different roles within education, having previously  served as a classroom teacher, school leader and curriculum specialist. During Betty’s time as a school and district administrator she has focused on supporting, educating and coaching others. 

Betty is a proud Alumna of  Florida A&M University. Followed by earning a Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati. 

Betty kicked  off her education career in Jacksonville FL as a Teach for America corp member. While Betty has a wide range of experiences in education. She’s spent some of her most enjoyable years to date as a high school math teacher. 

In her spare time Betty enjoys spending time with family, playing cards and watching sports. 

Brian grew up in Angola, a town in the northeast corner of Indiana. He attended Hanover College where he studied piano performance and philosophy. He then earned his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Kentucky. Throughout this time, Brian was an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. After deciding to not pursue a career in academia, Brian began working in the tech sector as a web designer and developer. He now works for Edgy Labs, a digital marketing and technology company. Brian leads Edgy's development team and also does search engine optimization strategy.

Brian has just moved to Cincinnati to be closer to family. His niece and nephew both attend Maddux Elementary.

Brian's passion for education comes from the many positive experiences he had in the public school system and his experiences as an educator. In his free time, Brian likes to play guitar, piano, and drums and spend time with his family and two dogs.

Caitlin was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a proud graduate of Clark Montessori High School. Caitlin received her Bachelor's degree in Education, and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati. Caitlin is going into her eleventh year of teaching, and most recently received a Reading Recovery certification from Wright State for Reading Intervention.

Caitlin is passionate about building relationships with students and families. Caitlin is a new mom to Everett. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing soccer.

Chandra is a dedicated advocate with over four and a half years of experience at a Nonprofit Organization in Cincinnati, where she serves as a school-based team leader. In this role, she leads a team of clinicians who provide vital behavioral and mental health services to students on campus. Her passion for supporting children and families is evident in her daily work, where she not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term resilience and well-being.

As a proud mother of four children who successfully graduated from the Northwest Local school district, Chandra cherishes the importance of strong family bonds and believes in the transformative power of education and easily accessible mental health services.

Her dedication extends to advocating for families, helping them remove barriers and access the resources they need for a healthier path forward. Chandra is particularly passionate about working to eliminate stigmas around mental health care and connecting families with mental health services within the school setting or community.

Beyond her professional role, Chandra believes deeply in the power of mentorship and positive role modeling. She actively mentors two college students, guiding them with her shared life experience, empathy and encouragement as they navigate their academic and personal journeys. Chandra is committed to instilling confidence and positive strengths in others, believing that the awareness of these qualities is essential for personal growth and community empowerment.

In her spare time, Chandra enjoys spending quality time with her family, diving into books that broaden her perspectives, and engaging in activities that nurture her passion for lifelong learning. Through her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication, Chandra continues to make a meaningful impact on education and mental health through her work in the school community she currently serves in.  

Chris Macklin is not just a community leader but also a family man. He is a father, grandfather, and Army Service-Connected Disabled Veteran born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has lived in the Springdale community of Cincinnati since 2011 and is currently employed at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College as the Veterans & International Students Affairs Manager. He is a man of faith and a member of Corinthian Baptist Church.

Chris is a lifelong learner, an advocate for Veteran individuals and families, and enjoys serving as Fatherhood & Mentoring and Brother You're on My Mind Chair for Beta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc, and also Armed Services and Veteran Affairs Committee Chair for the Cincinnati Chapter of NAACP.

He enjoys taking photos, watching movies, and spending time at the range in his spare time. He is also a huge Baltimore Ravens fan, which always makes for entertaining conversation during football season in Ohio, especially at Corinthian Baptist Church.

Dalkesha Bryant, MHS, is a dedicated education specialist and former high school teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a BA in Psychology from Wright State University and an MA in Human Service Counseling from Liberty University. Dalkesha’s academic background provides a strong foundation for understanding human behavior and addressing societal challenges—necessary components for helping children learn. Her passion for education began in the charter school sector, leading to a diverse five-year teaching career across various secondary and post-secondary institutions. While teaching, she identified critical gaps in educational opportunities, student-teacher dynamics, and literacy development, which prompted her to establish Reflections of Greatness, LLC (R.O.G.) in 2017.

Originally created to provide private tutoring services, R.O.G. was transformed in 2021 into a dynamic educational development and consulting company focused on enhancing educational outcomes and reshaping the learning landscape. Currently pursuing a doctorate in education (EdD), Dalkesha remains committed to advancing the school system and advocating for effective educational practices. Her emphasis on positive, trusting relationships between educators, parents, and students—encapsulated in her motto, "connections before lessons"—underscores the importance of holistic education that goes beyond mere academic instruction.

As part of her continued effort to make a meaningful impact, Dalkesha serves on the selection advisory board for GreenLight Funding Cincinnati and mentors teens and young adults in the inner city.

With over a decade of experience as an elementary school teacher, Danni Tymitz transitioned into the realm of educational technology, driven by a passion for enhancing learning experiences through innovative tools. Currently, she serves as an Educational Change Agent for Learn21, where she has the privilege of supporting school districts nationwide through professional learning, instructional design, and consulting services.

Her areas of expertise are constantly evolving and include media literacy, integrating AI in the classroom, online learning, and curriculum development. These skills enable her to collaborate effectively with educators and administrators, fostering environments that embrace modern educational practices. Danni is also a proud member of the Mason community. As the wife of a Mason Comet and the mom of two Mason Comets, she stays actively involved in district activities and volunteer work, always looking for ways to make a positive impact.

When she's not working, Danni and her family enjoy hiking, trying new foods, and spending time in the kitchen where she loves to cook up delicious and diverse meals.

As a public health professional, educator, mentor, and devoted parent, Dr. Zeeshan champions excellence and equity in education. With humility, agility, intelligence, and a passion for learning, he strives to secure a brighter future for the Sycamore School District and public schools, promoting inclusive policies that cultivate growth and success for every child.

Kayla, a Greater Cincinnati native and Princeton High School alumna, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s in News and Editorial Journalism and holds a master’s in Transformative Education from Miami University. She is the executive director of Everybody is LITT (Learning Intentionally To Transform) Academy, a literacy space in Cincinnati dedicated to tutoring students, providing professional development for teachers, and training parents to advocate for their children. With a passion for education and community service, Kayla is committed to fostering academic success and empowerment in her community.

Keith Futel was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a proud graduate of Withrow International High School and the University of Cincinnati. Keith began his career in education at the Hamilton County Math and Science Academy (HCMSA) in 2011 and has spent the last eleven years as a social studies teacher. Determined to make history come alive for his students, he founded Futel Learning LLC to provide students and educators with an engaging and inclusive African American history curriculum and resources.

Keith Futel’s influence extends beyond education. For the past five years, he has served as Impact Coordinator for Forever Kings, a non-profit that inspires change for adolescent boys in the community. From educator to mentor, church member, and fraternity brother, his dedication illuminates a path toward a brighter future for his community and beyond.

When Keith is not working, he enjoys reading, traveling, and relaxing with his wife, NaQuia, and dog, Royalty.

Lanisha Simmons is an Assistant Principal at Winton Woods High School. Lanisha holds a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Educational Leadership from Ashland University, and a BS in Secondary Education and Teaching from Ohio University.

Originally from Columbus, OH, where she was born and raised, she is a proud Columbus City Schools graduate of Brookhaven High School. Lanisha's journey in education began 15 years ago as a High School English Language Arts teacher. Her career trajectory led to her family coming to Cincinnati in 2019 and accepting the role as Curriculum Manager of English Language Arts at Cincinnati Public Schools. In this position, she led the development of instructional frameworks and practices that focused on the whole child, aligned with district goals, and enhanced leadership and instructional capacity district-wide. Her collaboration with district leaders, coaches, principals, teachers, and reading specialists was instrumental in improving literacy outcomes for students. In 2021, her commitment to equitable education was recognized with the Champion of Equity-District Leadership award from the American Consortium for Equity in Education.

A deep passion for literacy drives her, she firmly believes that every student has the fundamental right to learn to read, ensuring that education is an accessible opportunity for all, not a privilege reserved for some. Every child should receive the best education possible, regardless of circumstances.

Lanisha is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She enjoys traveling, new adventures, spending time and being active with her husband and daughter, working out, in-service of self-care, and good food.

Lisa Sensale Yazdian holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology and educational technology with specializations in early literacy and assessment. She has worked to engage birth-adult learners in P-12, higher education, community, and for-profit settings for the last 29 years and is passionate about mobilizing school, family, and community partnerships to support youth learning and development and strengthen neighborhoods.

Lisa (Dr. Lisa) currently manages outreach and engagement efforts at Cincinnati Educational Television (CET)/PBS. In addition to developing resources for formal and informal education settings, she is charged with building relationships and partnerships with various agencies and neighborhoods across Greater Cincinnati to meet local needs and support lifelong learning. She serves as CET Team Lead for the Adopt a Class program at Hays-Porter Elementary, is Vice Chair of the Regional Youth Leadership Steering Committee for the 2024-2025 year, and is on the Robert O’Neil Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC) Board of Trustees.

Lisa was born and raised in Westchester County, NY and now resides in West Chester, OH with her husband, Reza, and two sons who attend kindergarten and third grade in the Lakota School District.

Marie Krulewitch-Browne is the Founder, Executive & Artistic Director of ish, a Cincinnati-based non-profit dedicated to fostering social connections and acceptance through arts, creativity and Jew-ish culture. A Cincinnati transplant with local roots, Marie has called Cincinnati home since 2011. With a background in Fine Arts and Psychology, Marie has built her professional career in community engagement, arts and culture, and has served as both an employee and volunteer leader for several area arts organizations and initiatives including ArtWorks, BLINK, and MUSE: Cincinnati's Women's Choir. Marie is Mom to a CPS fourth grader at Pleasant Ridge Montessori and a CPS Kindergartener at Silverton Elementary. Marie is shaped by her Sicilian-Italian, Jewish-American heritage, which has informed her commitment to family/community, education, equity, creative expression, progress, the power of ritual, and a vision for building a more human-centered way of life.

Maurice Huey is the Executive Director of Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati. As a longtime member of the nonprofit sector, Maurice has served in leadership roles with several local, national, and international nonprofit organizations, including the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, the American Diabetes Association, and the OneSight Foundation. He is a past recipient of the Michigan Nonprofit Association Emerging Leader Award, the Spirit of Detroit Award from the City of Detroit, Michigan, a Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati recipient, and a member of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s Leadership Cincinnati Class 34.

A certified nonprofit program developer and fundraiser, he has a bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University, a master’s degree in business administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and is currently a doctoral candidate at Liberty University. Maurice currently lives in Silverton, OH with his wife Malaika, son Maurice Jr., and is the father of four adult children.

Meggan is the Chief Program Officer at the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. Prior to joining the organization in April of 2024, Meggan spent more than a decade in the financial services industry. Meggan serves on the Board of Directors for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and is a member of Junior League Cincinnati. Meggan enjoys spending time with her family, any of her three mentees and her dog, Phoenix.

As a dedicated member of the Milford School Board, Michael is deeply committed to ensuring the district provides an exceptional education for all students. His core values center around fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels empowered to succeed. He believes in the importance of strong character, morals, and values in education, and he strives to model these qualities in his role as a board member.

Drawing from his professional background in educational IT sales, Michael understands the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. While advocating for access to essential tools and technologies, he also recognizes the value of programs that support students' academic and personal growth.

His commitment to his Milford community goes beyond the boardroom. He actively participates in local organizations and events and is always eager to hear from parents, teachers, and community members about their concerns and ideas.

In making decisions, Michael prioritizes the needs of students and their families. He believes in open communication, fiscal responsibility, and data-driven decision-making. His goal is to work collaboratively with his fellow board members, the superintendent, and dedicated staff to ensure that Milford Schools continue to be a source of pride.

Nathaniel grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Dayton, Ohio and attended Sinclair Community College, transferring to University of Cincinnati to graduate summa cum laude with his bachelor's in English Literature. While at UC, he spent two years in the Racial Awareness Program, receiving the Terrence L. Jones Diversity Award for his service in that organization.

After graduating from UC, Nathaniel went to graduate school in Detroit, Michigan at Wayne State University. He taught college English classes there and obtained his master's in English. Having fallen in love with teaching but unsure of academia, he began his journey into secondary education in 2019. He's back in the Cincinnati area, teaching 12th grade English and dual-credit English at Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky. He believes an English classroom, when done well, is inherently liberatory.

He lives in Price Hill with his wife, Becca Costello, and their eleven year old boxer mix, Cincy. In his downtime, he enjoys reading comics, playing video games, and spending time with his five nieces and nephews.

Robert is a Cincinnati native born and raised on the Westside of town where he currently resides. He is a graduate of Western Hills High School and a graduate of Central State University where he earned a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Communications.

He owns a childcare center in Westwood and holds a Long Term Substitute Teacher License from Cincinnati Public Schools and is a member of the LSDMC at Carson Elementary in Price Hill.

As a leader in his community, he works and serves as Vice President of the East Westwood Improvement Association where they work to improve the quality of their community. Robert is a mentor and youth advocate as well where he helps lead and motivate young men and women through sports, recreation and various youth focus groups.

Rome Ntukogu is a Cincinnati based brand strategist, designer, and event producer for whom building positively to support local communities is central to his approach. A transplant to Cincinnati, his work in developing events for neighborhoods, connecting organizations, and community stakeholders is a real source for his passion to serve.

"Getting more information, and understanding is not a static endeavor, it never ends, so take it where you can" - Rome

Tarah is a Cincinnati native and currently serves as a 6th grade teacher and Department Lead in Cincinnati Public Schools. She obtained her Bachelor's in Middle Childhood Education from Wright State University (2012) and her Master's in Education from Xavier University (2017). Tarah is currently re-enrolled at Xavier, completing an Educational Administration Licensure program. Her professional passions include creating equitable solutions to educational issues that plague marginalized communities. She is also a champion for the importance of literacy for all. When she is not working, Tarah enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Teresa Hoelle is a Senior Vice President and Co-Owner at Ignite Philanthropy (Cincinnati, OH) which employees over two dozen individuals who partner with non-profits and private foundations to connect people, ideas and capital to fuel community solutions. Teresa was appointed to the Hamilton County Developmental Disability Services Board in 2023 and serves on the advisory board of DDX3X Foundation to fund research, support and build community for children and families living with rare diseases.

A Cincinnati Business Courier Forty under 40 recipient, Teresa earned her MBA from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte and a bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University. She proudly serves on the Local School Decision Making Committee (LSMDC), CANS Equity Representation and Inclusion Committee (CERI) and as a parent representative of the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) at Clifton Area Neighborhood School (CANS), where her 1st Grade daughter attends school within Cincinnati Public School District.

As a parent of a child with Speech Apraxia, she believes every child deserves a voice and is committed to fiercely advocating to ensure all children have the opportunity, and appropriate resources, to develop speech and communication skills.

Tiffany George is a dedicated Program Manager and Certified Community Health Worker at All-In Cincinnati, driven by a profound commitment to enhancing maternal health among Black women in Cincinnati. Inspired by her personal journey through a challenging birthing experience, Tiffany embarked on a path to empower other mothers, guiding them to advocate for their rights and needs during childbirth. This passion led her to become a Doula in June 2020, dedicating herself to support and educate mothers for a year before joining Public Allies in September 2021.

Through her placement with All-In Cincinnati, under the mentorship of Denisha Porter, Tiffany gained invaluable insights into the pressing need for equity and the strategies to address health disparities within our community. In August 2022, she achieved certification as a Community Health Worker, focusing her efforts on advocating for Black pregnant women in Avondale and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tiffany's mission is to elevate community awareness and contribute to the increase of healthy outcomes for Black mothers and their babies. She leverages her role to advocate for impactful policies and initiatives that aim to create a more equitable environment for all families. Her work embodies the spirit of All-In Cincinnati's commitment to fostering change and promoting health equity across our communities.

Last, but certainly not least, she is a mother to CPS students in sixth and eighth grade!

Tonya is a Cincinnati native who grew up in Bond Hill and graduated from Purcell Marian High School. She attended Kent State University, has a degree in Interior Design, and is currently furthering her education at Northern Kentucky University.

Tonya has a hunger for real world experiences and is always seeking growth. Committed to a lifetime of learning, she has a broad and diverse set of skills as she has taken higher education coursework on a wide range of disciplines.

Passionate about community engagement, Tonya currently serves on the Board of Trustees for REVIVE, is a member of the Credentials committee for the Cincinnati Open, is an active P&G Alumni Network member, a current volunteer at Bethany House Services, an avid supporter of Purcell Marian High School, the former Chief of Staff at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, and a former administrator at StriveTogether.

Tonya’s hobbies include entrepreneurship, real estate development, choreography, and contributing to society in various ways to advance and empower others.

In her free time, she loves to attend live performances, travel abroad and experience different cultures, practice mindfulness and self-care, and spend quality time with her son.

Tyra Oldham is a dedicated strategist expert, devising solutions for organizations and leaders through a platform she developed at Miami University to generate success. Her awards in sustainability have driven her to increase capacity, talent and answers for today’s businesses, leaders and ideas to unleash innovation, capacity and growth. Tya delivers boutique, targeted and informed solutions that support goals, personnel and effective leadership.

Dr. Tyra Oldham is a powerful interactive and educational speaker.  An author of over 3500 articles, papers, research and three books dedicated to employing change solutions in thinking and leadership. She is a “futurist” and “ideaist” (developer of ideas) having the talent to see, predict and determine future GAPs in business, as well as trends based on historical data, human dynamics and the expansion of technology.

Tyra has worked with CEOs and new business ventures to assist in their development and change orientation. Her background in manufacturing, Kaizen, quality supply chain, supplier development and diversity talent has equipped her with tools to design plans and procedures for organizations and individuals.

As an advocate for women, and inclusion, she addresses the vital role women play in the development of society and business.

Waleia Larkin is a founder and governing board member of AUTISM and WE. She is the proud parent of a child with Autism and has a background in Healthcare as a Certified Medical Assistant specializing in Insurance verification. Waleia has a BS in Communication and serves as a rape and domestic violence advocate for Women Helping Women. She is a certified Ohio peer to peer mental health and addiction coach. Waleia currently works at Butterfly Services as a mental health performance coach and has clients at Dohn, COTA, and Bethany House.

Her goal is to empower parents and caregivers to advocate for those with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities. Through education, sharing of ideas, and providing a listening ear, she hopes to provide a support system that will foster a nurturing environment that will expand our communities' capacity to grow and become more inclusive. 

Wally Hart is the Rap Coach and Marketing Coordinator at Music Resource Center - Cincinnati.

Wally has been involved in hip hop music and culture for over 20 years as a DJ, producer, rapper, researcher, writer, promoter, educator, mentor, and rap coach.

Wally did his PhD work in Sociology at Texas A&M where he taught Sociology courses for 5 years. His research focuses on systemic racism and the production and consumption of and public discourse about hip hop.

Yolanda is a dedicated educator currently teaching Algebra 1 at Western Hills High School and serving as a Girls 2 Women Advisor. With a deep commitment to educational equity, she believes passionately that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve greatness, irrespective of their zip code.

Her journey in education has been enriched by diverse experiences. Previously, she worked with The Ohio State University's Young Scholars Program and with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative as an Educational Talent Search advisor. These roles have allowed her to empower students and advocate for their academic success beyond the classroom.

Personally, Yolanda is proud to have raised five sons who each graduated from different CPS high schools, which has given her a unique perspective on the educational landscape in our community.

She is driven by the belief that education is the cornerstone of empowerment and social change. Through her work, she strives to inspire and support young minds, nurturing their potential and fostering a future where all students can thrive.