Darren Jones
Senior Counsel and Director of Group Services
Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
As senior counsel for HSLDA, Darren works closely with homeschool support groups across the country. Darren received his juris doctorate from Oak Brook College of Law and is licensed as an attorney in California. In 2016, Darren wrote an overview of homeschooling’s current successes for The Journal of School Choice. Darren and his wife homeschool their four children.
https://hslda.org/post/darren-jones
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Senior Counsel and Director of Group Services
Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
Cynthia Bader
Founder and CEO
CEB Teaching and Learning
As the founder and CEO of CEB Teaching and Learning, Cynthia supports innovative educators in student-centered settings. Her support ranges from administrative coaching to curriculum design. With an extensive teaching background spanning over three decades, she has primarily worked in independent schools in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. At one, she was co-architect of the school's hallmark critical thinking curriculum. She also spent time at the Bill of Rights Institute, where she wrote and edited civics curriculum and led professional development for teachers. Cynthia discovered her love for designing cross-disciplinary curricula when she began her teaching
career in the United Kingdom in the early 1990’s. Beyond her classroom experience, she was a founding board member of Cornerstone School, an independent K-12 school in Washington, DC and currently
serves on boards and advisory councils related to civics education and educational opportunity.
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Founder and CEO
CEB Teaching and Learning
Justin Shell
Founder
MySchool, Inc.
For years Justin Shell worked as a yacht designer, but he found his true calling in an unexpected place: educating his four children. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional education, Justin is dedicated to finding a way to make education more engaging, more enjoyable, and more… educational. In 2018, Justin was looking local opportunities for his kids to learn and make friends, but found the task so burdensome that he taught himself to program and built MySchool, which was initially envisioned as a "Google Maps for alternative education." While MySchool's platform empowered parents to explore diverse educational options, it became clear that families struggled to grasp the full scope of these unconventional programs. To address this, MySchool pioneered a low-cost method to produce captivating videos that showcase microschools and other educational opportunities across the country.
These visual narratives aren’t intended to just inform; they’re also meant to inspire. By diving into the founders' stories and their innovative solutions, MySchool aims to expand awareness of educational opportunities that meet the specific needs of all children.
For a closer look at Justin's work, visit https://thisismyschool.co and https://myschoolathome.io.
https://myschoolathome.io
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Founder
MySchool, Inc.
Serena Deutch
Manager of Strategic Initiatives
VELA Education Fund
Serena Deutch is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at VELA Education Fund, where she works to support VELA's vision of catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Prior to joining the VELA team, Serena spent years building community in a range of contexts, from elementary school families to startup founders in New Orleans. Serena is a graduate of Vanderbilt University's Peabody School of Education and Human Development. She is passionate about supporting founders who are reimagining how education can better serve all types of learners. To learn more about VELA, visit: https://velaedfund.org/
https://velaedfund.org/
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Manager of Strategic Initiatives
VELA Education Fund
Kymberly Kent
Director
eXtend Homeschool Tutorial
With over 20 years of experience homeschooling her six children, and as the
Co-Founder and Director of eXtend Homeschool Tutorial in Bowie, Maryland,
Kym Kent has emerged as a leader in championing homeschooling and
educational freedom for families, and empowering non-traditional
educational entrepreneurs to build programs to meet the needs of students
and families in their communities. A native of Queens, NY, Kym Kent is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, with a degree in Economics, and previously worked as a paralegal in Special Education litigation. However, her real education began with the start of her family's homeschooling journey. While participating in classical Christian homeschool tutorials, she taught elementary, middle and high school math, and is now well known for her
high-energy Math classes, where she helps her students enjoy math while
preparing and challenging them for high-level studies.
Kym is the co-founder and Director of eXtend Homeschool Tutorial, which
began in 2017 as Bridge Elementary Tutorial Homeschool Ministries, and
now provides core academic and elective classes to homeschooled students in suburban Maryland and the surrounding D.C. Metropolitan area serving approximately 123 homeschooling families. Through the years, Kym's passion for homeschooling and non-traditional educational environments have enabled her to mentor countless students and families, organize and speak at area-wide expos and events, conduct workshops to educate and support families, and become a voice of empowerment for families and educational entrepreneurs across the country. Most notably, she served as a panelist at the 2022 SXSW-EDU in Austin, TX and presenter at the 2022 Stand Together Summit in Colorado
Springs, CO. She also serves as a Community Connector for VELA Education
Fund and was a featured speaker in their expert series covering Models and
Strategies of Sustainability for Homeschooling Co-Ops, Classes and
Tutorials. While Kym relishes every opportunity to encourage and support
homeschoolers and edupreneurs wherever she meets them, her greatest joy
is found in loving, cheerleading, and spending time with her family.
https://extendhomeschool.com/
About Kymberly Kent
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Director
eXtend Homeschool Tutorial
Tiffney Laing
Founder
Bevy and Dave
A visionary and solutions-driven entrepreneur on a mission to foster a positive self-identity in African (Black) children. Tiffney is the Founder of the award-winning Bevy & Dave, an educational company changing the narrative of global African history, heritage, and culture and building leaders through play. Tiffney is also an author, professional speaker, and podcast host. Before entrepreneurship, she served in higher education for 17 years developing leaders
During her doctoral studies, Tiffney discovered that many researchers had already proven her theory that Black students achieve higher academically when connected to their history through a holistic lens. Rather than focus on the problem further, Tiffney left the program and founded Bevy & Dave. Within one year, the first product, "The History Makers Puzzle Block Set" was on the market and placed in select retailers and schools.
This one-of-a-kind learning tool was a finalist for the 2018 Toy of the Year Award, Rookie category, winner of the 2018 Product of the Year Award by Creative Child Magazine, and the 2018 Family Choice Award.
Since launching in 2016, Bevy & Dave has expanded its product line to include books, animation films, digital games, and other activities. Tiffney's unique and unconventional work has been recognized among industry peers and featured in local, national, and international media, including, Good Morning America, MSNBC, Voice of America, Fox News, Daily Mail TV, Newsweek Magazine, and more.
Tilfney's contributions to changing the narrative of African (Black) history go beyond Bevy & Dave, she leads by example in her local school district as an advocate for change. With the support of the Parents Teachers Association, last year during the 2022 academic school year, Tiffney curated and added 250 age-appropriate fun books to her local elementary school library that focus on authentic stories about Africa and the diaspora.
Tiffney serves as the Delegate for the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee for Loudoun County Public Schools and is a member of the Loudoun County Black History Committee which preserves African American experiences and contributions in the county. Additionally, Tiffney serves on the board of X-Mode Social, a data technology company.
https://bevyanddave.com/
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Founder
Bevy and Dave
Anne Miller
President & Executive Director
Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)
Anne first served as a support group and co-op leader in 1986. She is president and executive director of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) and previously directed publications and marketing for 21 years. Anne speaks at national and regional leadership conferences and received HSLDA’s Chris Klicka Award for her steadfast courage, dedication, and commitment to homeschooling. Anne and her husband decided to homeschool in 1980 and have 8 always-homeschooled, now-married children who are entrepreneurs, teachers, NASA rocket scientists, builders, and engineers. They enjoy their 26 grandchildren while living the HGTV dream remodeling homes in Williamsburg.
https://www.heav.org
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President & Executive Director
Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)
Ed Tarnowski
State Policy Associate
EdChoice
Ed Tarnowski is a State Policy Associate at EdChoice and a University of Rhode Island graduate. He is published in National Review, The Washington Examiner, Education Next, and GoLocalProv.
https://www.edchoice.org
About Ed Tarnowski
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State Policy Associate
EdChoice
Nasiyah Isra-Ul
Founder and CEO
Canary Academy Online Inc.
Nasiyah Isra-Ul is the founder and CEO of Canary Academy Online Inc., a nonprofit she created as a teenager to provide affordable, technology-based educational solutions for homeschoolers. She has served as a fellow and advisor for various organizations over the past several years and currently serves as an edupreneurship coach and mentor in her community and online. Her interests include research, policy/advocacy work, and community-based service-learning. She has a deep passion for student-centered, self-directed/project-based learning opportunities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (parents, brother, leopard gecko, and dog), reading, and further developing her skillset in multicultural cooking.
https://www.canaryacademyonline.org
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Founder and CEO
Canary Academy Online Inc.
Alycia Wright
Founder
Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative
Alycia Wright, M.Ed, is a former educator turned homeschool mom for the last ten years. She founded Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative, a nonprofit located in Richmond, Va. Alycia has spoken at numerous homeschool conferences across the nation on the topics of building community, cultural pedagogy, and anti-racism. She and her husband have four daughters, ages 18, 14, 13, and 9. You can find Alycia at her cooperative's website: culturalrootsco-op.com
https://www.culturalrootsco-op.com
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Founder
Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative
Brent Wheelbarger
Co-founder and CIO (Chief Imagination Officer)
Kidvation Global
Brent Wheelbarger is a Partner and Co-Founder of Kidvation Global (www.kidvationglobal.com), an education initiative designed to foster youth-led innovation through entrepreneurship, social impact, and research & development. In his role as Chief Imagination Officer at Kidvation, Brent leverages 20 years of innovation experience as the CEO of Trifecta Communications (www.trifectacomm.net). In addition to its media properties, Trifecta specializes in augmented and virtual reality solutions for applications in education, workforce development, and tourism among others. Brent also co-founded Viribus VR Labs (www.viribusvr.com), a tech-startup developing virtual reality therapy tools for children with cerebral palsy.
Brent is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class 32 and the Thunder Launchpad tech accelerator. He recently served as president of the Moore Rotary Club, chairman of the Moore Chamber of Commerce, and board member for the Pioneer Library System. He is currently board chair for the Possibilities organization in OKC and board member for Great Expectations Foundation. He is highly involved with the Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout) where he serves as Assistant Scoutmaster and chair of the District Communications Board for the Last Frontier Council.
https://kidvationglobal.com/
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Co-founder and CIO (Chief Imagination Officer)
Kidvation Global
Sumay Lu, CEO of WEquil App, is a multifaceted entrepreneur, writer, and developer with deep insights into the future of education. Her platform connects a vast global network of teachers, parents, and microschools. Formerly the CEO of WEquil School, she has contributed extensively, publishing a vast array of projects ranging from interviews, music compositions, and essays on emerging technologies to literary works and educational content. Recognized as a pioneer in leveraging technology for personalized learning in the digital age, Sumay has been a prominent voice in forums like KDAB, GoGuardian, Kids Are Talking, and Falls Church News-Press. Her expertise was sought twice as a guest lecturer at Iowa State University. A Black Belt from Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, Sumay's passions extend to cooking, learning Chinese, creating educational YouTube content, and connecting with her global educational community. She resides in Falls Church, Virginia, with her family.
https://wequil.app/
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CEO
WEquil App
Gilbert Wilkerson
Founder and CEO
Black Society for Economic and Social Transformation
Gilbert Wilkerson Sr. is the Founder and CEO of the Black Society for Economic and Social Transformation and also the founder of the Network of Black Homeschoolers. He retired from Richmond Circut Court, where he worked for 34 years as a Judge’s Assistant. He also serves as a Division Chaplain for the Richmond Police Department, which he has been for 25 years now. Gilbert works in the community to improve the lives of people who feel disenfranchised and disconnected to reality. He writes and produces his own Podcasts for BlackSociety. You can visit his website at blacksociety.net. He stays active in the gym, playing tennis and reading. He is married to Gloria Wilkerson and has three boys and one girl, all adults.
https://www.blacksociety.net
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Founder and CEO
Black Society for Economic and Social Transformation
Harold Lee, Jr.
Co-Founder and COO
Kidvation Global
Harold Lee, Jr. is a proud alum from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has over 18+ years of experience in Youth Development & Community Engagement. Mr. Lee is Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Kidvation Global, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through the power of innovative & entrepreneurial thinking. Harold is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He currently serves in the Beta Eta Lambda Alumni Chapter and is a Youth Mentor with the Alpha Boys’ Institute (mentoring at-risk young males in grades 6th-8th) and he also serves on the chapter’s Scholarship Committee (helping to award over $100K in scholarships annually to Oklahoma male high school graduates).
Some of Harold’s past accomplishments include: O.R.P.S.-Young Professional Award, Norman NEXT Under 40 Award, and Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40 recognition. He is currently a cohort member of the Discovery Workshop, which is a business accelerator for education innovators. Harold attends Victory Family Church, is happily married to his college sweetheart Brittany, and the couple resides in Yukon, OK with their 2 daughters: Madison and Isabel. His hobbies include spending time with his family, watching sports, and doing volunteer work.
https://kidvationglobal.com/
About Harold Lee, Jr.
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Co-Founder and COO
Kidvation Global
