Diversity & Inclusion Conference

Lauren Dean serves as an Upper School Learning Specialist at New Garden Friends School, bringing 19 years of experience in education. She has worked extensively with diverse student populations, including ESL, EC, and AIG, teaching in public schools across North Carolina and Tennessee for over a decade before joining NGFS, where she has worked for seven years. Lauren holds a B.S. and M.Ed. in Education from Appalachian State University and has taught English, History, Math, Science, and Executive Function skills for grades 7–12. Passionate about inclusive education, she advocates for stronger connections, improved communication, and better resources to support all learners.

Thamar currently works as an Upper School History teacher at Providence Day School teaching AP World History and Herstory: Women and Gender in Global Context. She also serves as Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Co-Coordinator for the Upper School, and Professional Learning Coach.

Jennifer A. Milton is a recording artist, writer, singer, counselor, realtor, and motivational speaker for over 17 years. She has been using her gift of singing and love for music for over 30 years. She is the wife of Rodney Milton and mother of two beautiful children, Nathan and Haven . She longs to build a background that can help build a legacy for her family and all those she comes in contact with in life. She loves knowing the moments shared with people can bring connection, support,  and feelings growth and encouragement. 

Justin has taught in public and private school for 17 years and is currently a 4th grade reading and writing teacher at Canterbury School. He has been on the planning committee for this conference for two years and also serves on the Community and Inclusion committee at his school.

Kyle Williams is a leader. Whether leading his three sons into manhood, leading a community-based elementary school in Washington, D.C., leading the #1 youth basketball program in the country, or leading this incredible team at A Long Talk, he has always been a leader. Raised in Plainfield, NJ, the son of Artie B. and Jocelyn, is a child of Hip Hop and a servant of the community. As a professional educator, Kyle has amassed over 25 years teaching children and adults alike. Highlighted by his time at the Community Academy Public Charter school where, in 1998, he applied and interviewed to serve as a volunteer and was “coerced” into accepting a provisional teaching position instead. After six short years of service in the classroom and on the school’s leadership team, he would be appointed as the school’s third Academy Leader in 2004. Following his 17 year career at CAPCS, he began working with Discovery Education helping teachers and school leaders all over the country make the shift to becoming more technology savvy, 21st century educators. Change and progress through educational empowerment has always been at the heart of the work he has done. He brings that same focus and energy to the fight for social justice and racial reconciliation as the Chief Empowerment Officer and creator of "A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth.

Aji and Naomi have both been passionate about social justice for as long as they can remember. Seniors at Durham Academy, they attended the NAIS POCC Student Diversity Leadership Conference last year in St Louis, and have also attended multiple local conferences.

Aji and Naomi have both been passionate about social justice for as long as they can remember. Seniors at Durham Academy, they attended the NAIS POCC Student Diversity Leadership Conference last year in St Louis, and have also attended multiple local conferences.

Lindsey Greear is an Upper School Learning Specialist at New Garden Friends School. She has experience working with diverse student learners through Guilford County schools, High Point University, and, most recently, NGFS. Lindsey is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Law, emphasizing equity and inclusion through policy implementation. Lindsey’s passion for ensuring quality educational experiences for all students stems from her involvement with DEIJ programs and culturally relevant curriculum development.  

Jessica works at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh as the Head of Seminar and Global Education. Over the last ten years, Jessica has held administrative roles at Saint Mary’s and the Sacred Heart Network including Director of Global Studies and Academic Dean. She also has a background teaching English, World Geography, History, and English as a Second Language. 

Jessica has a B.A. from McMaster University, a B.Ed. from the University of Western Ontario, and a M.Ed. from the University of Texas RGV. She has presented on the themes of global education and collaborative teams at numerous national and international conferences.

Dr. Kendra O'Neal currently serves as the Director of Diversity & Community Engagement at Hill Learning Center. A proud Durham native and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she has dedicated her career to serving the children of her hometown. Dr. O'Neal began as an elementary and middle school teacher for Durham Public Schools, later transitioning to roles as a principal and Central Office administrator. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from High Point University and has also taught at North Carolina Central University as an assistant professor in the School of Education.  

Laura Allen is an Upper School history teacher at New Garden Friends School, teaching U.S. history, economics and personal finance, and government and political advocacy. She has a passion for fostering critical thinking and curiosity in her students. She holds a B.A. in History and Secondary Education from Guilford College and has experience teaching in both public and private schools across North Carolina. Dedicated to making history relevant and engaging, Laura integrates her community activism and education work into her teaching, inspiring students to connect the past with the present. She believes in empowering young minds to shape a more just and equitable future.

Katelyn Williams is the Middle School Counselor and Interim Director of Inclusion and Belonging for Greensboro Day School. Throughout her professional career, she's had a passion for supporting others as they navigate and discuss challenging issues. She has spent the past few years helping schools and corporations explore the nuances of race conscious parenting through workshops, webinars, and small group conversations. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Gardner-Webb University and a M.S. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Dr. Yven Destin is a writer, educator, and advocate whose work explores the intersections of literature, social justice, and child development. An Upper School History Teacher and DEI liaison, Dr. Destin bridges conversations between faculty, students, and administration to foster inclusion. His latest book, What Can James Baldwin’s “Little Man” Teach Us About Children and Our Responsibility to Them?, examines Baldwin’s reflections on childhood and society’s ethical responsibilities. A graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Chicago, with a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Destin also serves on the Editorial Board of the Family Justice Journal.

Dr. Rodney Glasgow has dedicated his career to empowering communities and fostering inclusive, joyful learning and working environments. A compelling educator, dynamic administrator, and passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and social justice, he brings nearly 25 years of transformative experience across various educational settings. His leadership journey spans both boarding and day schools, as well as religious and non-denominational institutions, including impactful roles as a middle school division head and as Head of School. Currently, he serves as the Associate Director of Friends Council on Education, the National Association of Friends Schools.  Rodney's presence radiates on the national stage, captivating audiences with his impactful keynote presentations and workshops, igniting conversation and sparking change. He has consulted with schools and organizations across the country, sharing his insights and expertise to drive meaningful change. As a featured writer in Diversity in Independent Schools, he also penned the prologue for One Teacher in Ten in the New Millennium: LGBT Educators Speak Out About What’s Gotten Better…And What Hasn’t, and has contributed to the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning’s Think Differently and Deeply series.

Proudly an alum of Gilman School in Baltimore, MD, where his passion for education and social equity took root, as a student himself Rodney was a founding member and then longest-serving Co-Chair of the National Association of Independent Schools’ annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC).  Rodney has been instrumental in shaping this nationally recognized event over his 30 years of innovative leadership, empowering over 1,500 high school students from over 200 schools each year. In 2016, he founded The Glasgow Group, a dynamic consortium of educational consultants known for its annual National Diversity Practitioners Institute, which has trained and inspired hundreds of educators and administrators.

In recognition of his significant contributions, Rodney was honored with the People of Courage Award by the City of Worcester in 2009. He currently serves on the boards of Lowell School, where he chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee, and The Bishop Walker School for Boys, where he co-chairs the Head Support and Evaluation Committee and is an active member of the Executive Committee. Additionally, he is a board member for Connect DMV, dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for families of color in independent schools, and is a former trustee of Sheridan School, where he chaired the Education Committee.

Rodney holds a joint degree in Afro-American Studies and Psychology from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Organization and Leadership from Columbia University, and an Ed.D. in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University. Rodney embodies a fierce commitment to academic excellence and the promotion of inclusive communities that offer a sense of belonging. His mission is to elevate the human experience, one meaningful interaction at a time, and to inspire this generation and the next to create a world where love and justice thrive.

Grace Whittaker is an African American female who is currently learning Spanish and Korean but maintains a constant interest in other languages and cultures. Her birth language is English but she strives for fluency in all languages she commits to learning. She has strived to create a sense of belonging for everyone who doesn’t possess it. An example being that she has served as an ambassador on a welcoming committee at her school for the past four years, welcoming and embracing girls who are new to the school and its environment. When engaging with others she strives to create an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging regardless of their age, preferences, language, race, or ethnicity.