Equity, Disproportionality and Design

Dr. Myeshia Whigham [https://lincoln.oside.us/our-school/administration] is a first-generation high school and college graduate from Chicago with over 20 years of experience in K–12 education across San Diego County.  She recently earned her Ph.D. in Education for Social Justice from the University of San Diego, continuing her work to expand access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students.  Her career spans over two decades in education, including roles as a teacher, site leader, and district administrator focused on equity and student support.  She is currently the Principal at Lincoln Middle School in the Oceanside Unified School District [https://www.oside.us/]. Dr. Whigham leads with intention and a deep commitment to creating spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. Resources: Website [https://www.oside.us/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lincolnmsoside/]

Tony DelaRosa [https://www.tonyrosaspeaks.com/] is a current PhD student in the UW-Madison Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis program, where he researches the impact of coalitions, institutions, and policies on teacher and leadership practices using Asian Crit, Critical Filipinx Studies, and Du Boisian Sociology. He is the author of the award-winning book "Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro-Asian American Lens in Schools [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teaching-the-invisible-race-tony-delarosa/1143179043#]" with Jossey-Bass / Wiley Publishing. He is also the co-investigator of the USAP Tayo Lab on Filipinx Well-being and Politics. Before research, he was an instructional coach and Director of Teacher-Leadership at Teach for America Miami-Dade, founder of the NYC Men Teach Asian American initiative, and founder of the Boston Pulse Poetry. These experiences designing, coaching, and leading direct teaching and learning programs inform his lens to policy and leadership research. His work has been featured in CNN, NPR, Harvard Education Magazine, NBC, and other publications. Learn more at TonyRosaSpeaks.com. He is currently open to working with clients for the 2025-2026 academic year for keynote speeches, lecturers, workshops, coaching, and research.  Resources: Website [https://www.tonyrosaspeaks.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tonyrosaspeaks/] ⁠ [https://www.tonyrosaspeaks.com/]Book: ⁠Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro-Asian American Lens in School [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teaching-the-invisible-race-tony-delarosa/1143179043#]

Ingrid Medrano [https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2013/07/to-follow-dream] is currently a teacher in the National School District [https://www.nsd.us/]. She is a dedicated educator committed to closing achievement gaps in classrooms facing socio-economic challenges by delivering high-quality education. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus on reading, as well as a Mild/Moderate Special Education K-12 Teaching Credential, which includes authorizations for severe emotional disturbance, autism, resource specialist, and English language learners. Additionally, she holds a Bilingual Multiple Subject K-6 Teaching Credential. With 15 years of experience in education, Miss Medrano has taught in various capacities, including 4th-6th Grade Mild/Moderate Special Day Class, 5th/6th Grade Spanish, 1st Grade Dual Language (50/50 model), and currently, 1st Grade General Education.  She was also recognized as one of the San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) Classroom Hero [http://Classroom Her] in San Diego County. Resources: National School District [https://www.nsd.us/] Follow a Dream Article [https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2013/07/to-follow-dream] SDCCU Classroom Hero [http://Classroom Her]

Nikko Kimzin is a joy filled professional performer, social impact producer, and cultural strategist that seeks to uplift the human spirit. As Founder and Lead Consultant with Kimzin Creative [https://kimzincreative.com/] (CA based arts & equity consulting group), he centers the cultural strengths and dreams of historically marginalized communities to transform policy, funding, and placemaking. Kimzin Creative collaborates with local governments, schools/districts, and arts & culture organizations to create equitable access to culturally relevant arts processes and programming to inform public use and design. Services include: Arts education, creative producing, and consultation on community engagement and arts-as-data-collection strategies. Clients include: Google, County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, William + Flora Hewlett Foundation, Petaluma River Park Foundation, Center for Cultural Innovation, and more. Awards: In 2025 Nikko was named one of North Bay Business Journal's 40 under 40 most influential business people, his work with Kimzin received a GOLD award for the 2024 Anthem Awards in “Community Engagement” in the category of “Education, Art, & Culture”, recipient of True West Film Center’s  2023 “Jackie Hoffner Heart & Hope Award”, has been a Fred Coe Artist in Residence at Vanderbilt University. Other: He has created Corporate Professional Development programs for Google, Sotheby’s and other Bay Area Executive Teams. Contributor to Sonoma County Arts Education Framework. Speaker at CA Migrant Education, CA Arts and Culture Summit, Stanford University, Emory University, UCSC and more. Resources: Kimzin Creative [http://kimzin%20creative/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kimzincreative/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kimzincreative]

Dr. Adam Clark is the current Superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District [https://www.mdusd.org/], having joined in July 2020. Prior to this, he served as the Superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District. Dr. Clark has also held various leadership positions in education, including Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, and principal at all three levels. He earned his doctorate from Saint Mary's College of California. Resources: X [https://x.com/mraclark29] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mraclark29/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mraclark29/] CAAASA [https://www.caaasa.org/]