25-26 J.E.D.I Educator Summit
Dr. B is a senior research associate at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He is also the founder and executive director of Discover Without Barriers Consulting. As a consultant, he directs qualitative research projects for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and government agencies, focused on student voice and agency while providing leadership development and professional learning. As an educator, Dr. Barnett has served as a faculty member and administrator in several professional roles for nearly 20 years. Dr. Barnett’s experiences and education have positioned him to work towards transformative change, and he hopes to influence such change through teaching agency and advocacy, centering student and community voices, and enacting equitable policies and practices.
Dr. Michelle Cureton is an accomplished educator and equity-driven leader, currently serving as the Dean of Culture for a high school. Over the course of her 22-year career in education, she has held roles as a Director of Community Engagement and Belonging, DEI Coordinator, and classroom teacher. In each of these positions, she has been recognized as an inaugural leader, building meaningful systems, practices, and spaces that center belonging, equity, and student voice. Michelle’s work is defined by her ability to cultivate inclusive, thriving school communities. She has designed and refined curriculum, created diverse history courses, and established affinity spaces and clubs that honor and celebrate student identities. With a deep commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice, she has guided and supported educators and students in embracing inclusive language, fostering cultural competence, and integrating restorative and human-centered approaches to teaching and learning. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with concentrations in English and History, a Master of Education in Secondary Education with a concentration in English, a Certificate in K-12 School Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy. A proud Army Brat, Michelle’s formative years, living in Germany for a decade, moving across multiple U.S. states, and traveling internationally, shaped her passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and the power of history to build understanding across cultures. Guided by her favorite mantra, “Work is love made visible” (Kahlil Gibran), Michelle approaches equity and belonging work as liberatory, transformative, and essential for all learners and educators.
Dr. Anisha D. Hannah is the Interim Director of the Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership. Dr. Anisha D. Hannah is a qualified, accomplished, and experienced business leader with diverse, progressively responsible experience. Anisha is skilled at cultivating and sustaining relationships with new and existing clients, project management and community engagement.
As the Interim Executive Director with the Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership, Dr. Hannah’s work consists of building community relations & philanthropic strategies, developing communications plans, and overseeing the development and implementation of foundation initiatives in collaboration with local municipalities and community stakeholders within the City of Pontiac.
Sonja James is the Executive Director of Educational Equity and Inclusion for the West Bloomfield School District, where she leads with passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Her journey in education began over 20 years ago as a fifth-grade teacher at Doherty Elementary. She went on to serve as Assistant Principal and then Principal at Orchard Lake Middle School for a decade, followed by nine transformative years as Principal of Sheiko Elementary. Throughout her career, Sonja has focused on building inclusive, high-achieving school communities that celebrate diversity, nurture belonging, and empower all learners.
Sonja’s commitment to equity extends beyond borders. As a Diplomat and educator in Kingston, Jamaica, she gained a global perspective on the transformative power of inclusive education. She has also served as a national AVID facilitator, training school leaders across the country to implement systems that support student success, voice, and opportunity.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Bethune-Cookman University, proudly standing as one of Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacies. Inspired by Bethune’s vision of education as a pathway to justice, dignity, and empowerment, Sonja has dedicated her career to advancing those same ideals in every school she serves. She also holds a Master’s and Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
For Sonja, this work is not just a profession, it is a calling. She believes every child deserves not only access to opportunity, but the right to thrive in spaces where their identity is honored and their potential is limitless. Her leadership continues to reflect the values of those who came before her, and her voice carries forward a legacy of equity, inclusion, and possibility.
Margaret Schulz Margaret Schultz is an accomplished educator and leader currently serving as the Assistant Principal at University High School in Ferndale Public Schools. With over two decades of experience in education, she has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. Previously, Margaret held the role of Director of Instructional Equity and Title IX Coordinator for Bloomfield Hills Schools, where she was instrumental in the establishment of the Student Equity Council and collaborated with stakeholders to enact systemic changes. Notable achievements during her tenure include the development of a Cultural Observances Calendar, the formation of a district-wide Health and Wellness Committee, and leading the implementation of Restorative Practices in K-12 education. Margaret is passionate about elevating the voices of marginalized students and has facilitated comprehensive training programs focused on dismantling racism and promoting equity. Her advocacy work includes presenting at national conferences on vital topics at the intersection of education, equity, and mental health. With advanced degrees from Wayne State University and Purdue University Calumet, Margaret remains committed to creating learning spaces that celebrate diversity and support every student's right to thrive.
Gregory Smith is the Superintendent of Lincoln Consolidated Schools. He formerly served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Farmington Public Schools, is a seasoned educator with 20 years of experience spanning various educational settings, private to public and also sometimes educating in correctional facilities. His journey has taken him through urban and suburban environments, where he has taught both general and special education, and served as a building administrator in both primary and secondary schools. Gregory’s academic background is deeply rooted in Michigan, having earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Wayne State University, followed by an Educational Specialist Degree from Oakland University. He is now in pursuit of his doctorate, further solidifying his commitment to educational leadership.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Gregory developed a profound passion for the transformative power of education from a young age. This passion has driven him to devote his career to ensuring that every individual he encounters is impacted by his dedication to a quality educational experience to all through a lens of scholarship and equity. His charismatic leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering environments where all students feel valued and empowered have made him a dynamic force for positive change within the personal and professional community. Gregory’s work is not just about improving educational outcomes; it’s about cultivating a culture of belonging and opportunity, where every student can thrive.
Dr. Chantelle S. Yancy is the Supervisor for Wellness and Community Engagement for the Troy School District (TSD), where she leads districtwide initiatives focused on belonging, restorative practices, trauma-informed systems, and culturally responsive community partnerships. Since joining the Troy community in 2017, she has served as a dedicated parent and family advocate, community activist, and district leader committed to advancing equitable and human-centered systems of support.
A certified restorative practices and justice practitioner, Dr. Yancy is widely recognized for her leadership in fostering inclusive school climates, designing responsive systems of care, and building capacity across educators, families, and communities. She holds numerous certifications and advanced training in leadership development, trauma-informed practices, well-being, and systems change.
Before her current role, Dr. Yancy spent twelve years in non-profit leadership and development, most recently as Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, where she championed social justice, advocacy, and community mobilization around local and global issues of equity, economic justice, and human rights. She also brings experience in higher education and has served as an enrichment instructor for K–12 students.
Dr. Yancy holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science, a Master of Arts in Social Justice, and a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she is a devoted wife and mother of two boys, Mark III and Malcolm David. Her life’s work is deeply rooted in servant leadership and systems transformation, guided by the belief that we must “lead by example — and where there’s an obstacle, find opportunity.”
Dr. Donya Odom
Dr. Donya earned her Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in history with a group minor in secondary education from Wayne State University. After retiring as a principal from Detroit Public Schools, Dr. Donya works as an educational consultant focusing on culturally responsive leadership development, emphasizing equity as a means to dismantle systems of oppression and combat anti-Black racism within educational settings. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Odom has held positions as a high school principal and curriculum lead, bringing extensive knowledge and practical experience to leadership courses. At Eastern Michigan University, Dr. Donya provided research support to several professors in the leadership and counseling department and continues to collaborate with Black students. Dr. Donya’s research interests encompass culturally responsive leadership and transformative leadership theory and her dissertation explored the role of school leaders in the marginalization of Black students through oppressive school practices. A notable achievement is her commissioning of The Plug—a student voice program leveraging youth participatory action research (YPAR) to advocate for students. Passionate about amplifying student voices, Dr. Donya remains dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline narrative for Black students.
Shereen Thomas
Shereen (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan where she completed her degree in Social Theory and Practice with a capstone project on equity-centered dialogue programs in high schools. She has been an anti-racism facilitator for 9 years and has worked on diversity, equity, and inclusion programming throughout the U of M campus and multiple Metro-Detroit high schools. She has also facilitated conversations inside Michigan prisons as part of the Prison Creative Arts Project. She loves music and plays the violin and guitar.
Harry Weaver III
Harry Weaver III is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer for Oakland County, bringing over two decades of experience to this critical, newly prioritized role. Weaver's extensive background includes 16 years as the Education Director and Certified Trainer at the Anti-Defamation League, Michigan Region, experience within the Chippewa Valley School District, and work as an independent DEI consultant. He has developed and delivered anti-bias programming and training for diverse groups, including corporations, law enforcement agencies, and school districts—a model expected to translate seamlessly to the county's efforts toward inclusive excellence.