Corey A. DeAngelis

Director of school choice at Reason Foundation

His research primarily focuses on the effects of school choice programs on non‐academic outcomes such as criminal activity, character skills, mental health, and political participation.

He has authored or co‐authored over 40 journal articles, book chapters, and reports on education policy. His research has been published in peer‐reviewed academic journals such as Social Science Quarterly, School Effectiveness and School Improvement, Educational Review, Educational Research and Evaluation, Peabody Journal of Education, Journal of School Choice, and Cato Journal.

Sharif El-Mekki

CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development

The Center exists to ensure there will be equity in the recruiting, training, hiring, and retention of quality educators that reflect the cultural backgrounds and share common socio-political interests of the students they serve.

The Center is developing a nationally relevant model to measurably increase teacher diversity and support Black educators through four pillars: Professional learning, Pipeline, Policies, and Pedagogy. So far, the Center has developed ongoing and direct professional learning and coaching opportunities for black teachers and other educators serving students of color.

Prior to founding the Center, El-Mekki served as a nationally recognized principal and U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellow. El-Mekki’s school, Mastery Charter Shoemaker, was recognized by President Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and was awarded the prestigious EPIC award for three consecutive years as being amongst the top three schools in the country for accelerating students’ achievement levels.