I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with my parents Luther and Nola Edison and my four siblings. I spent 44 years working with students and teachers in the Dallas ISD. Although, I became the Dallas ISD Director of the Social Studies Department, my major accomplishments took place in the classroom. I am proud of the students who I had the opportunity to influence over the years. They made it possible for me to become the Dallas Teacher of the Year in 1992 and Region 10 Teacher of the Year. I believe a teacher who ceases to learn should cease to teach and teachers of minority students should have a pedagogy that liberates them.

Dr. Charles Matthews has dedicated his entire life to Educating and Influencing young people all his life. He served as a Classroom Teacher, Assistant Principal, Deputy Superintendent to General Superintendent in the North Forest ISD and Wilmer-Hutchins ISD. He was the first Black Superintendent of Texas in 1991. As General Superintendent of WHISD he implemented and began the first three year old program for the State of Texas. He was an Innovator and Trailblazer in the field of Education.

Dora was an award-winning elementary school teacher in Dallas ISD for 31 years. She served as a General Music Teacher for the first fourteen. Afterwards, she became a Self-Contained/Language Arts Teacher. Because of her accomplishments with the students, Dora also served as a Mentor to New Teachers, Trainer and Instructor in the Alternative Certification Program, Campus Instructional Leadership Team Member, Curriculum Writer, Staff Development Presenter, Member of the Campus Improvement Plan Committee, and District IV Workshop Presenter. Post Dallas ISD Retirement, she spent an additional 17 years in DeSoto ISD as a Part-time Reading Pull-Out Teacher. Dora spent 48 passionate years educating young people.

Cassandra’s entire career in education was in Dallas ISD. She started as a classroom teacher, and later served as English Department Chairperson and Teacher of the Year at North Dallas High School. After a promotion to Director of Certification/Employee Relations, she ensured that only qualified teachers and Administrators were hired, and the District met all No Child Left Behind requirements. Her efforts led to the District being “Recognized” by the Texas Education Agency. She is a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the 31st National President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Annually, a deserving NPHC/Divine 9 Undergraduate Sorority member is awarded the Cassandra L. Black Scholarship.

Norma Beasley Wright has been a cornerstone of student support and well-being within Dallas ISD, consistently embodying the essence of a dedicated educator. Her unwavering commitment fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment has made her the heartbeat of the school community. Recognized Dallas ISD Counselor of the year, her impact extends far beyond academic guidance; she championed student-centered initiatives that empower and uplift every child. Through her compassionate leadership, she has inspired countless students to reach their fullest potential, further cementing her legacy in Dallas ISD. The opening up of Thomas A. Edison Middle Learning Center and The transformation of the Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School has solidified her career.

Bertric Luetissur Manning, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher and community leader. She has dedicated her life to helping others and served as a classroom teacher in Dallas Independent School District. She was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” many times. She was the DFW Coordinator for the "No Child Left Behind" 2002 Achievement Academy. She has reached a pinnacle of success in church and Christian living. One of her treasures is a plaque to a 'Grade "A" Teacher Award for making school so super cool. During her retirement she spent time developing programs to improve teaching techniques and enhance student achievement.

Dr. Lewis is unwavering in his commitment to impacting and transforming the lives of students and families. As a situational leader, his laser focus on every student reading on or above grade level at every grade level has been the hallmark of his success. Dr. Lewis has served at all levels of K-12 education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, area superintendent and superintendent. As a scholar in the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard University, Dr. Lewis learned strategies that served and supported his principals in leading their campuses to recognized/exemplary ratings by the Texas Education Agency, as well as the Malcolm Baldridge Award, Texas Blue Ribbon and National Blue Ribbon Schools.

For 45 years, Helen dedicated herself to uplifting students, just as she had been uplifted throughout her life as a student, teacher and leader in Louisiana, Texas, and California, respectively. In Dallas, she taught English at Sunset and Hillcrest High Schools before becoming an assistant professor and department chair at Bishop College and later a division chair at Cedar Valley College. She then moved to California's Contra Costa Community College District, where over 25 years, she held six roles—including college president, vice chancellor for educational affairs, and chancellor. With each position, Helen deepened her impact, committed to empowering others and creating transformative educational experiences.

Dr. Levatta L. Levels is a seasoned educator with 35+ years of experience as a teacher, principal, executive director, and superintendent. In DeSoto ISD, she led key initiatives including rezoning for enrollment growth, districtwide standardized dress, selective enrollment, middle school magnet programs, and districtwide behavior programs. She helped create the ReJuv program, helping overaged students graduate with a high school diploma. She was inducted into the DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor, received the NAACP Juanita Craft Award, and recognition from her alma maters Skyline High School and the University of North Texas. She is a leader in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Student Conduct Officer and field supervisor at two DFW universities.

In classrooms, Cheryl follows the mantra of Dr. Napoleon B. Lewis, who said, "A teacher hasn't taught if the student hasn't learned.” She believes in also providing hard-knock life lessons like her FAMU professors did. In 1998, she headed the Paul Quinn College Communications Department; revitalizing the school newspaper, and starting an NABJ Chapter (Chapter of the Year finalist and Student Journalist of the Year honors, while winning several national awards). Having taught at UNT, TWU, Dallas College, and the DFW/ABJ Urban Journalism Workshop, the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Famer has been recognized by the Journalism Education Association and National Conference of Editorial Writers for her work with journalism students.