Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, an award-winning Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on racial literacy in teacher education, Black girl literacies, and Black and Latinx male high school students. A sought-after speaker on issues of race, culturally responsive pedagogy, and diversity, Sealey-Ruiz works with K-12 and higher education school communities to increase their racial literacy knowledge and move toward more equitable school experiences for their...

Justis Lopez (also known as DJ Faro) is the founder and Chief Enthusiasm Officer (CEO) of Just Experience LLC, an organization that strives to educate, entertain, and empower communities across the world. As a community organizer he focuses on ways to create spaces of radical joy, justice, & healing through Hip-Hop and the arts. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at Harvard in Educational Leadership, and recently completed his master’s degree in Education Entrepreneurship at the...

Maria Tan is an educator and consultant who works with organizations, schools and individuals who are committed to serving communities through healing-centered work and education. She is a former Bronx high school science teacher where she helped lead a school-wide shift towards equitable practices including introducing restorative circles as an adult and student practice, facilitating racial affinity groups amongst staff, and teaching trauma-informed mindfulness daily to hundreds of students...

Cory Greene is a formerly incarcerated co-founder and Healing Justice Organizer with How Our Lives link Altogether! (H.O.L.L.A!). He is invested in developing, leading and implementing an intergenerational, youth-led, citywide and nationwide Healing Justice Movement. Cory (39 years old) was born and raised by a single mother in East Elmhurst Queens, NY, during a time when many mothers and urban communities were impacted by the crack epidemic. His ancestors and elders hail from the struggles o...

Dolores Acosta M.A, is a sister, daughter, friend, aunt, wife and a wellness activist. She was born and raised in NYC and both her parents are from the Dominican Republic. She is currently the People Experience Manager at Kinly, Consultant at Acosta Consulting and the co-founder of NYC Healing Collective. For 10 years she has worked in social services and human resources for various organizations. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Industrial Organizational...

Dr. Ian P. Levy is an assistant professor and the director of School Counseling Programs at Manhattan College. He is a New York City native and former high school counselor. His research explores preparing school counselors to use hip-hop based interventions to support youth development. Most notably, Dr. Levy piloted the development, implementation and evaluation of a hip-hop based counseling framework which has been featured in The New York Times, CNN and published in a variety of reputable...

Luis Alejandro Tapia, a son of Dominican immigrants, serves as a social impact and equity consultant, a racial and restorative justice coach and trainer, circle keeper, social justice educator, and facilitator at the intersection of spirituality, justice, healing and liberation. Luis Alejandro is committed to supporting the power of communities of color to create change and to transform leadership and learning into spaces of justice, equity and freedom. You can learn more about Luis's work h...

Angela Kariotis is an “artist as public servant." She is a community-engaged culture worker and educator building creative experiences serving the needs of cities, institutions, and students of all ages for public good. Kariotis integrates restorative practices with the pedagogy of play for a transformative learning experience. Angela is winner of a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship in playwriting, a National Performance Network Creation Fund Award for her solo performance work,...

Dr. Jen Gowers has been an educator and leader in New York City public and charter schools for more than 17 years. She believes the world will thrive when our youth thrive. Jen currently serves as the chief of schools management, instruction and professional development for the Brilla network, where she serves and supports six schools in the Bronx. She is also one of the co-founders of an incredible nonprofit organization called Co-Plan It. She is passionate about transforming systems, develo...

Rashid Hughes is co-founder of the Heart Refuge Mindfulness Community and creator of R.E.S.T. - A Practice for the Tired & Weary. This contemplative practice supports us to settle into a sense of ease and invites us to release our efforting and striving, leaving a space for openness and awareness.