Richard Glass Jr.
Richard Glass Jr. serves as the Regional Vice President of Operations for Ombudsman Chicago High Schools, where he leads strategic efforts to ensure quality educational experiences for students re-engaging in their academic journey. With over 30 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, he is deeply committed to equity, access, and student success. As both a school leader and a proud parent of a rising senior at Ombudsman Roseland, Richard brings a dual perspective that strengthens his advocacy for student-centered innovation.
Ariel Danzy
I’m Ms. Danzy, a music teacher in Chicago’s 6th District, freedom fighter, and proud South Side soul. I use music to ignite power in students who deserve more than survival; they deserve joy, creativity, and truth. I show up for my people both inside and outside the classroom, standing against violence, marching for justice, and demanding better for our communities. My classroom is a space of liberation where rhythm meets resistance, and every child rises in their full brilliance.
Jose Ortiz-Reyna
I’m a long-time CPS professional, community builder, and leadership advocate currently working for the Office of Local School Council Relations at Chicago Public Schools. Outside of my CPS role, I lead mentorship programs that support Latinx professionals and elevate their leadership in spaces of social impact. As a proud CPS parent, my work is rooted in a deep commitment to equity, access, and meaningful engagement.
Makinde A. Adedapo
Makinde A. Adedapo is a proud graduate of Proviso East High School and Chicago State University, a 2025 Surge Fellow, and the Growth & Impact Manager at the Academy for Local Leadership. With 14+ years in education and 20+ years in event production, he blends expertise in teaching, logistics, and community impact. A dedicated Chicagoan, he also served on the City of Chicago’s DCASE Steering Committee, working to advance culture, education, and equity across the city.
Marisol Barrera
Marisol Barrera (she/her) is a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Prevention Educator at Resilience, where she provides sexual violence prevention education to K-12 CPS students. A proud product of CPS alongside her two brothers—one currently a 7th grader—she’s passionate about empowering youth and giving back to her community. Marisol is a Chicago native and Northwestern alumna who enjoys taking walks and spending time with loved ones.
Neal Spann
Neal Spann works at the intersection of education, equity, and economic mobility. He leads large-scale program implementation for One Million Degrees, where he supports scholars across multiple college campuses. Neal’s passion for education drives his investment in the future generations. As a champion for equity, Neal seeks to challenge inequity and injustice, and to provide equal opportunity to resources that will empower students to thrive, in school and in life.
Anthony Garcia
Anthony Garcia, a Realtor with Streeterville Realty, is a dedicated community and parent leader. He recently completed the Kids First Chicago Parent Leadership Fellowship and serves on the UnidosUS Latino Infant Initiative Advisory Council. Anthony is also the community representative for Galileo Scholastic Academy’s Bilingual Advisory Committee and the new President for Friends of Galileo, where his oldest daughter attends 2nd grade. He enjoys camping and outdoor activities with his two daughters.
Cindy La
Cindy La, Director of Children and Youth Services at Chinese American Service League (CASL), Parent of 2 CPS students (Kinder and 6th grader).
Patricia Mota
A proud alumna and parent of Chicago Public Schools, Patricia brings both personal experience and deep-rooted commitment to her work. She grew up in Pilsen, is a first-generation college graduate, and attended Kenyon College before beginning her career in education as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Mexico. She later taught elementary school through Teach For America and earned a master’s degree in bilingual education from Southern Methodist University.
Patricia currently serves on the Local School Council at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary, her childhood school. Her son is now a CPS pre-K student, continuing the family’s connection to the district. Outside of work, she enjoys road trips—especially spontaneous ones—with her husband and son.
Natasha Croff
Natasha Croff is a Parent Support Specialist within Chicago Public Schools/Office for Students with Disabilities. She is the mother of a son entering his Sophomore year of high school. Advocating for her son and being involved in community organizations has fostered her knowledge and skills needed to navigate supports and resources for those living with disabilities. She is a Board Member on both the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and Chicagoland Autism Connection.
Ivon Ruiz Soberanis
Parent of a CPS senior student and volunteer in Chicago Multilingual Parent Council.
Damarr Smith
Damarr Smith served as Chief of Staff at the Golden Apple Foundation and previously led Competency-Based Education initiatives at Chicago Public Schools. He has managed youth engagement, youth development, and education reform efforts, including Thrive Chicago’s 100,000 Opportunities Initiative. Damarr has an MBA from Babson College and a Master’s in Education Leadership from The Broad Center, focusing on advancing equity and excellence in education. In his spare time, he writes songs and poetry.
Marlene Rios
Marlene Rios is an Alumni Success Coach at ITW Speer, where she supports over 400 first-generation graduates as they navigate college and career pathways. A proud CPS alum from La Villita and Posse alumna, she earned her degree from Middlebury College in Sociology and Psychology. As a longtime advocate for educational equity, Marlene partners with nonprofits to uplift first-gen students of color across Chicago– driven by her own lived experiences and passion for systemic change.
Jacqueline Bland-Payne
VP Customer Operations, Parent of sophomore (LSC Student Member) and 2nd grader, LSC Parent Member in CPS.
Dr. Brenda Anderson
Dr. Brenda Lee Anderson is a passionate scholar-practitioner committed to advancing educational justice through both research and community organizing. They conduct research and teach in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Driven by a deep belief in the power of policy, culture, and collective action to transform institutions, their work critically explores how federal policies and organizational power shape the sociopolitical and cultural dynamics within educational settings. Beyond the academy, Dr. Anderson is deeply engaged in organizing and mobilizing communities to challenge inequity, amplify marginalized voices, and build coalitions for systemic change.
Nancy Jimenez
Nancy Jimenez currently serves as a unit manager supporting operational work. She is also a proud parent of a rising senior and an engaged member of the charter school community.
Robert Jones
2025 is Robert Jones 16th year as the Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, where his pastoral ministry follows that of Dr. Joseph B. Felker, Jr. after his 51 years of Pastoral service and is now the Pastor Emeritus.
Robert Jones has been in the preaching ministry since 1975 and had been in the pastoral ministry since 1978 in the Southern Illinois cities of East St. Louis & Centreville (now Cahokia Heights) prior to God placing him at Mt. Carmel, in December 2008.
He is a family man with his wife – Mrs. Creola Jones, four children, twelve grandchildren (one deceased) and two great-grandchildren.
Robert Jones is an author, Award winning Pastor & Community activist, candidate for Chicago’s first elected School Board, and has been a leader in the Baptist denomination on the national state and district Levels.
Nicole Turner
Proud mother of five incredible girls, and they are at the heart of everything Nicole Turner does. Every decision she makes—professionally and personally—is guided by her commitment to creating a better world for them and for children like them. They inspire her to lead with purpose, act with compassion, and remain grounded in service.