Heather Gregory has over 20 years of experience in education and administration, spanning preschool to adult education. Heather was born in Jamaica, where she spent her formative years. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and was proudly educated in New York's institutions for collegiate and graduate studies. She has worked extensively with children with mental health needs and specializes in apartheid communities and advocates for anti-racist and culturally responsive curriculum and training for educators. Heather holds an M.P.A. in nonprofit management, an M.S. in educational leadership, and a B.S. in psychology. She has co-presented on "Leading While Black/Brown in White Spaces” at NYU's DecolonizED.

Yvonne Evelyn, originally from Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, NY, has joined the Board of the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children. With an educational background that includes a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Binghamton University and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Stony Brook University, Yvonne has overcome significant challenges to achieve professional success in Sales, Marketing, and Operations, primarily in the pharmaceutical industry. Since 2020, she has resided in New Jersey, expanding her expertise into Gastroenterology and Hepatology. A mother of four and an avid tennis player, Yvonne is passionate about maintaining a balanced life and is committed to leveraging her extensive experience to advocate for educational equity. She looks forward to contributing to the organization’s success and advocating for children with dyslexia.

Rukisha Hodge is a Board-Certified, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Rukisha brings over a decade of experience in psychiatric and community nursing to her role as a board member of DABC. She earned a Master of Science from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The College of New Rochelle. Throughout her career, Rukisha has specialized in supporting clients across the lifespan – facing challenges such as major life transitions, complicated trauma responses, mood and anxiety disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. Rukisha’s personal connection to this work is deepened by currently supporting and advocating for her son in his academic journey with learning differences. This experience fuels her passion for ensuring that every student, regardless of their challenges, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive both academically and personally.

Dr. Kara A. Loftin brings over 25 years of passion and dedication to education. As the Head of School at The Schenck School and Executive Director of Read Source, she embodies a commitment to empowering students with exceptionalities. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children and the Board of Directors for GirlTalk, sharing her commitment to amplifying the voices of all children while championing opportunity and a better future. Previously, Dr. Kara served as the Head of School at The Craig School and spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives. Additionally, her innovative approach led to the development of an executive function coaching-based school within a school program at Wasatch Academy, recognized by the NAIS in 2018 for its transformative impact. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Kara shares her expertise on strengths-based education and learning differences at national conferences. Her influence extends globally, having led workshops in Kuwait, India, and Japan, touching the lives of educators, parents, and students alike. Dr. Kara has authored articles for Edutopia, including insightful pieces on teacher retention, literacy scaffolding, and strengths-based IEPs. Dr. Kara's scholarly work, published in esteemed journals such as Assessment for Effective Intervention and T-Care, underscores her commitment to advancing the field of special education.

Ptahra Jeppe is a dedicated disability civil rights attorney. Ms. Jeppe received her J.D. magna cum laude with a curricular focus in Disability Law & Policy and an M.S. Ed. in Disability Studies from Syracuse University College of Law. She earned her B.A. magna cum laude with departmental honors from Adelphi University. Prior to law school, Ms. Jeppe worked as Program Director at Everyone Reading (formerly the New York branch of the International Dyslexia Association). She also served as Chief of Staff to New York State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. In both capacities, she worked to advocate for and uplift the voices of those in need and individuals with disabilities. Ms. Jeppe has extreme dyslexia and a personal understanding of the barriers faced by people of color with disabilities. She has a passion for the intersection of race and disability, and she is dedicated to advocating for meaningful access and opportunities for all.

Debbie Meyer has a lengthy professional career in non-profit management and fundraising. She is a founding member of the Dyslexia (Plus) in Public Schools Task Force, a group of community leaders helping students with dyslexia and related language-based disabilities thrive in their neighborhood schools. In 2018, Columbia University named Debbie a Community Scholar, and she began studying the intersection of dyslexia and mass incarceration and universities' role in changing the trajectory of struggling readers. She lives in Central Harlem with her [dyslexic] husband and son.

Dr. Donna Kiel has long been committed to addressing health inequity, experiencing its challenges firsthand from her residency to her current role in community hospitals serving disadvantaged populations. She is dedicated to creating a holistic environment that addresses systemic inequities for both patients and doctors. As a member of the National Medical Association, Dr. Kiel advocates for healthcare parity and justice, aiming to eliminate disparities. Since 1996, Dr. Kiel has worked in community hospitals, including the Urban Health Institute of Harlem Hospital, Westchester County Medical Center, and Harlem Hospital Center. Currently, she is an attending anesthesiologist at Montefiore Medical Center.Earlier in her career, she was a postdoctoral research fellow at the NIH. Dr. Kiel is board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiologists and completed her MOCA certification in 2021. She holds memberships in multiple medical societies and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Dr. Kiel graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and received her MD from Morehouse School of Medicine. She also attended Columbia University School of Public Health and is a current Climate, Health, and Equity Fellow.