ANNOUNCEMENT
The Reading League Announces Second Cohort of Educators of Color Conference Community

SYRACUSE, NY, April 22, 2025 – The Reading League (TRL) has welcomed 39 teachers, school administrators, reading experts, nonprofit founders and others for its second cohort of the Educators of Color Conference Community (ECCC).
The ECCC is a transformative nine-month, nomination-only fellowship for educators of color who are advancing literacy for culturally and linguistically diverse students. The cohort includes some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders in literacy and education, representing 13 states across the U.S.
TRL created the ECCC to increase the number of educators of color attending the annual TRL Conference, ensuring all voices are included in the ongoing national conversation about literacy. The initiative strengthens TRL’s mission to advance awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction.
During the fellowship, cohort members will work with TRL leadership while participating in a roundtable discussion and a series of professional learning activities. Their work will culminate in attendance at the 9th Annual Conference of The Reading League, October 8-10 in Chicago, where 2,500 attendees worldwide will gather for knowledge sharing centered on the science of reading.
Maria Murray, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of The Reading League, said creating the ECCC is one of the organization’s most important initiatives.
“We recognized that communities of color have not been included in conversations related to the science of reading, and we wanted to do our part to change that,” Murray said. “Bringing a variety of perspectives and backgrounds to the science of reading movement is the only way to improve reading outcomes for all students.”
TRL consultant Altheria Caldera, Ph.D., said: “This is perhaps the most critical work we can do right now. The brilliant perspectives of this cohort will add unique insight to the science of reading conversation. We are looking forward to a year of growth, discovery, and introspection to foster a literacy movement that benefits all students.”
Introducing the 2025 ECCC Cohort
Jacqueline H. Alston, division reading specialist at Brunswick County Public Schools
Kendra Alston, curriculum specialist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District
Joann Attles, reading intervention and special educator at Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland
Nayeede Bailey, K-3 literacy coach at Atlanta Public Schools
Ayana Bass, special education doctoral student at Boston University
Maria Bennett, instructional assistant at New Hope-Solebury School District
Thomishia Booker, CEO of Hey Carter!
Mary Jane Bowman, executive director of Humanities and Student Academic Support Initiatives, Fort Worth ISD
Pamela Bradley, non-attorney advocate-educator at PRB Consultants LLC
Ebony Brown, coordinator of elementary (K-5) English language arts at Clayton County Public Schools
Shakia Bruce, Growing Readers certification specialist at Metro RESA
Epiphany Burgess, educator at the Boyce L. Ansley School
Janeé R. Butler, director of program design and implementation at The Center for Literacy & Learning
Danielle Calvin, senior client manager and educational consultant at 95 Percent Group
Delores Connors, reading specialist and special education teacher at Teaneck Public Schools
Christina Cover, teacher and literacy coordinator at New York City Public Schools, District 31, Staten Island
Miah Daughtery, Ph.D., vice president of literacy advocacy at NWEA/HMH
Ileana DeJesus, classroom educator at the Boyce L. Ansley School
Keena Flournoy White, district achievement instructional specialist at New York City Public Schools, District 31, Staten Island
Chandra B. Floyd, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor and director of curriculum development at the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary University
Kristy Girardeau, professional learning specialist at Amplify
Alexandra Guilamo, chief equity and achievement officer at TaJu Educational Solutions
Ashlee Haynes, director of curriculum and instruction, pre-K through fifth grade, at Mitchell County School System
Curtrina Jones, Ph.D, ARI regional literacy specialist at the Alabama Reading Initiative
Lashon Larie Lee, literacy facilitator at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Shonette Lewis, literacy facilitator at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Endia Lindo, Ph.D., associate professor at Texas Christian University
Valerie N. Macey, district achievement instructional specialist at New York City Public Schools
Brandan Persaud, Ph.D., director of integrated special education at Rocketship Public Schools in Washington
Paola Pineda, early childhood, literacy and biliteracy specialist and coach at ESC Region 11, D.C.
Ramona T. Pittman, Ph.D., associate professor at Texas A&M University
Jasmine Rogers, Ph.D., manager and coach at the DC Reading Clinic through DC Public Schools
Rhonda Russell-Henderson, assistant director for teacher pipeline initiatives at Salem State University’s Powerful Foundations program
Delphia Smith, assistant professor at Howard University
LaShonna Smith, director of program implementation at ALP Charlotte
Taylor Staes, lead teacher at the Boyce L. Ansley School
Tina R. Starks, literacy specialist at Student Achievement Partners
Apolonio Trejo, Ph.D., assistant professor of bilingual education at Our Lady of the Lake University
Anasya Turner, MTSS district specialist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools