Damian Henderson better know as “LaDame” is an activist and entrepreneur. Born in Ohio, LaDame received his BA in Media Studies from Wright State University. Being first generation, LaDame sets out to build his own brand with launching his website as well as first novel. In Both, LaDame takes a stand on the Black Lives Matter Movement educating America on what it means to be black. Currently LaDame sits On PNC Diversity and Inclusion committee board as a spokesperson advocating for racial equality and social justice.
Damian Henderson
Ohio
Phil Nguyen
New Jersey
Phil Nguyen is the Founder, and Executive Managing Partner of EdChiefs - a strategic consulting firm that provides education and social impact organizations with remote Chief Level Support. EdChiefs’ mission is to build organizational capacity, while diversifying the sector with Chiefs of Color, and Minority Chiefs. In addition to EdChiefs, Mr. Nguyen also serves as the National Partnerships Manager of K12 Inc, the Founder and Chief Program Officer of the New Jersey Charter School Launch Program – Executive Director Fellowship, the Founding President of NAAAP NJ (National Association of Asian American Professionals - New Jersey Chapter), the Founding Impact Lead for ImmSchools, and the Founding Alumni Board Chair for Teach for America New Jersey.
In his early career, Mr. Nguyen served as an Educator, Campus Administrator and District Leader. He is a Teach for America Alumni, and is a proud first-generation college student. Mr. Nguyen received his Bachelors from Washington State University, Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently pursuing his second Masters in School Leadership at Harvard University.
Dan Davidson
Ohio
Dan Davidson Bio: (He/Him) Dan is originally from the Cincinnati, OH area & graduated from University of Cincinnati/ College- Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Theatre/ Acting. Having over a 20 year career now in Theatre/ Film/ Stage Management/ Performance Art/ Drag/ SFX Makeup/ Photography/ Graphic Design & now venturing into puppets- I like to consider myself a Swiss Army knife as an artist. Every opportunity is a chance to learn & grow. I have performed on thousands of stages from stairwells to professional & regional stages both nationally & internationally. After surviving a hit & run hate crime in 2017 Dan's artistic focus has definitely completely shifted towards providing dynamic education in regards to LGBTQ issues & standing up for LGBTQ Youth.
Sparkle Leigh Bio: The lovechild of Roger & Jessica Rabbit- a Cute & Kooky Cartoon Clownfish often mistake for a Drag Queen! Whether she is reading to smurfs with "StoryTime with Sparkle," (on FB & YouTube!) or contributing to your core workout routine by having you ROTFL at any one of her "off the wall," Shows! Sparkle is here to spread some Love & shed some Light!
Andre Zarate
Illinois
Andre Zarate is the founder of The Z Factor Project (instagram: @the.z.factor.project) – an education platform aimed to (1) put the voices and stories of marginalized, underrepresented people of color in the forefront within the education field and (2) to create and design schools, programs, and curriculum that cater to the development of marginalized underrepresented people of color. He is currently also an education entrepreneur fellow with Chicago International Charter Schools, developing a MicroLab school for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ set to tentatively launch in Fall 2021. For the 2020-2021 school year, he is in his seventh year in education teaching 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies and has had experience primarily with middle school students (including teaching 5th – 8th grade English Language Arts, 7th and 8th Grade Mathematics, and instructional coach).
Before becoming a teacher, Andre graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in urban studies and masters degree in elementary education. He is a Teach for America, Chicago-Northwestern Indiana 2013 Alum. In October 2016, Andre was named an Illinois State Teacher of the Year Finalist, the first charter school teacher to receive this honor.
As the mother of three sons, Hope Murtaugh is passionate about helping teens achieve their potential. In her extensive volunteer career, Hope has established tutoring programs and built playgrounds through her PTA leadership, as well as fundraised for scholarships for aspiring artists with the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation. In addition to her support for education, Hope has volunteered for cancer-related causes, including chairing the From Surviving to Thriving: Cancer As a Turning Point conferences in Greenville, South Carolina. She is also a longtime volunteer in the United Methodist Church, with a special focus on prayer and women’s prison ministry.
Hope currently lives in Greer, South Carolina.