EDUP Xcelerated Excellence

Our guest, Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, is the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC, a global educational consulting firm that specializes in developing K-12 teachers into identity-affirming educators. Rooted in the core values of equity, empowerment, and authenticity, Identity Talk Consulting, LLC provides a range of professional learning experiences, including keynote speaking, virtual and in-person trainings, leadership consulting, and e-courses, to help educators sharpen their cultural responsiveness and anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) practices. The firm is licensed as a DESE-approved professional development provider and officially recognized as a Minority Owned Enterprise within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Prior to launching Identity Talk Consulting, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah served for nine years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA, where he was known not only for his instructional effectiveness but also for his student-centered, culturally affirming approach to teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University,where his experiences as both a student and student-leader laid the foundation for his professional and pedagogical journey.

His latest book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, recently received the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal for Best Education Commentary Book and the2024 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Best Education Book, further cementing his status as a thought leader in culturally responsive education.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

 Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Resources:

Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom (Book)

EDUP The Experience

⁠

Greeting: Jake Small

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jamal Watson, is anaward-winning journalist. He has held numerous roles at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. He has been a senior staff writer, managing editor, executiveeditor and editor-at-large. He has written and edited for the publication since 2005.

He is currently on the graduate school faculty at Trinity Washington University and has served as associate dean of the School of Business and Graduate Studies since 2022. He is a contributor to The Washington Monthly and a regular commentator on television networks. In 2025, Education Week listed him as one of the nation's top 200 university-based educators who influenced education policy in 2024.

A native of Philadelphia, Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Theology from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a master's degree in Higher Education from the University of Delaware and a master's and a Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

His writings have appeared in numerous publications including The Baltimore Sun, and USA Today. He is the author of a forthcoming biography on the Reverend Al Sharpton and a book about the student debt crisis.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

  Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Resources:

Jamal Watson

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency (Book)

EDUP The Experience

⁠

Greeting: Jake Small

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jamal Watson, is an award-winning journalist. He has held numerous roles at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. He has been a senior staff writer, managing editor, executiveeditor and editor-at-large.

He has written and edited for the publication since 2005. He is currently on the graduate school faculty at Trinity Washington University and has served as associate dean of the School of Business and Graduate Studies since 2022.

He is a contributor to The Washington Monthly and a regular commentator on television networks. In 2025, Education Week listed him as one of the nation's top 200 university-based educators who influenced education policy in 2024.

A native of Philadelphia, Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Theology from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a master's degree in Higher Education from the University of Delaware and a master's and a Ph.D. in Afro-American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His writings have appeared in numerous publicationsincluding The Baltimore Sun, and USA Today.

He is the author of a forthcoming biography on the Reverend Al Sharpton and a book about the student debt crisis.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 20262.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

 Xcelerated Excellence Consulting

⁠

Resources:

Jamal Watson

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency (Book)

EDUP The Experience

⁠

Greeting: Jake Small

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Jerrica Thurman, is the visionary founder behind Elation Communications, a trailblazing firm helping mission-driven organizations amplify their voice, elevate their brand, and accelerate impact. With more than two decades of leadership at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and social change, Jerrica is redefining what it means to lead with purpose in today’s fast-moving world.

As President & CEO of Elation Communications, Jerrica is not just building a company—she’s building a movement. She leads with bold vision and creative edge, bringing fresh energy to brand strategy, organizational growth, and inclusive communications. Under her leadership, Elation has become a go-to partner for nonprofits, foundations, and purpose-led enterprises ready to reimagine how they show up and stand out in a crowded media landscape.

Jerrica’s career is marked by transformative wins—including securing a game-changing $15 million federal grant for people with disabilities, repositioning national associations, andleading communications campaigns that drive equity, innovation, and influence. Her award-winning work has earned national recognition—including the 2024 APEX Award for Publication Excellence in Campaigns, Programs & Plans for Public Service and the 2021 APEX Award in COVID-19 Media – Education & Training, further cementing her reputation as a leader who delivers both strategy and substance.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Resources:

Elation Communications

EDUP The Experience

Greeting: Curtis Valentine

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Nicholas D. Hartlep, Ph.D., holds the Robert Charles Billings Endowed Chair in Education at Berea College wherehe has Chaired the Education Studies Department since 2019. He is currently enjoying a research sabbatical year (2025–2026).

A scholar of educational foundations and critical pedagogy, Dr. Hartlep’s research critically interrogates the modelminority stereotype, urban teacher education, racial battle fatigue in higher education, the political economy of student debt, and the role of neoliberalism in shaping P–20 educational policy and practice. His scholarship is both prolific and widely recognized: he is the author or editor of 26 books, severalof which have received Outstanding Book Awards from the Society of Professors of Education (SPE). Dr. Hartlep currently serves as President of the Kentucky Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (KACTE) and holds national leadership roles on the Executive Boards of the American Association ofColleges for Teacher Education’s (AACTE) Advisory Council of State Representatives (ACSR) and the Diversified Teacher Workforce (DTW) Topical Action Group (TAG).

Dr. Hartlep has also been selected for several prestigious academic leadership programs, including the AACTELeadership Academy, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) New Leadership Academy (NLA), which was held in 2025 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In September of 2025 Dr. Hartlep will beginhis EPFP Fellowship in the Education Policy Fellowship Program for Community Schools Leaders coordinated by the Institutefor Educational Leadership (IEL).

His scholarship is informed by his lived experience as a Korean transracial adoptee and a deep commitment to equity, justice, and transformative educational leadership. During his researchsabbatical Dr. Hartlep is currently completing What Can Be Learned from Work Colleges? An Education That Works, under contract with SUNY Press.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.

 Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠, providing bespoke consultancies to support to education leaders and  their organizations to meet their full potential for excellence.

Resources:

Student Loan Debt as a Wicked Problem (Book)

EDUPThe Experience

⁠

Greeting: Curtis Valentine

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, serves as the Chief Executive Officer at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, where she leads a team at the forefrontof the learning disabilities rights movement. Her unwavering passion for promoting learning accessibility and equitable assessments drives the center’s efforts in developing impactful strategies, forging partnerships, making policy recommendations, and conducting research to improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and attention disorders. As an esteemed educator and professor, Jackie has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels,and served as a special education faculty member at the School of Education at William & Mary. Jackie has prepared countless educators in equity-driven assessment practices and progress monitoring based on each student’s individual needs.

At NCLD, Jackie continues to passionately advocate for increased access to high-quality education and policies that support diverse and exceptional learners.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. 

 Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Resources:

EDUPThe Experience

⁠

Greeting: Curtis Valentine

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #NCLD

Our guest, Xiomara J. Giordano, is Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Empire. Xiamara holds a Master of Science in Educational Policy and Leadership with a focus on Higher Education from the State University of New York at Albany and received her BA in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from Smith College.

Previously, Xiomara worked at Bennington College, where she made significant contributions to the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In her role as Director of the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and as the College’s Deputy Diversity Officer, she led transformative initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive campus environment. This included developing and implementing comprehensive DEI strategies, organizing workshops and training programs for faculty, staff, and students, and creating partnerships with local organizations to further promote diversity and inclusion in the broader community.

In her free time, Xiomara has volunteered as a guiding scholar with the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, where she playeda pivotal role in collaborating on the creation of a comprehensive DEI curriculum tailored specifically for small businesses. Her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion extends beyond her professional roles, reflecting her commitment to creating lasting change.

Xiomara's work in DEI extends her influence beyond academia, making a meaningful impact on both educational institutions and the wider community. Her dedication to these principles is a testament to her passion for addressing issues related to culturally relevant pedagogy, equitable access to higher education, and incorporating alternative resolution systems into institutions of learning, all with a strong emphasis onpromoting diversity and inclusion.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences.

Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferencesinclude: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0, Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. 

Resources:

EDUP The Experience

⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Greeting: Curtis Valentine

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY

Our guest, Antrina Leeth, is an educator with over 18 years of experience. She currently serves as Senior Outreach and Development Manager for the International BaccalaureateOrganization (IBO). Her initial introduction to IB began as a Primary Years Programme (PYP) teacher, before moving into the role of IB Coordinator for 5 years. Prior to joining the International Baccalaureate Organization, Antrinaalso held the role of IB District Manager for all IB Programmes within District of Columbia (DC) Public Schools, supporting the instructional and logistical implementation and sustainability of each IB Programme. Antrina is also a proud parent of 3 IB students and avidly supports the social-emotional and academic growth of all students. Antrina holds a degree from the University of Florida in Elementary Education with a specialization in English Language Learners and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Business Administration.

 Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. 

Resources:

International Baccalaureate

Cultivating Peacebuilders Through International Education

EDUP The Experience

⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Greeting: Brent Miller

Research Assistant: Emily Bloom

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #IBO

Dr. Felecia S. Russell, author of Amplifying Black Undocumented Student Voices in Higher Education.

Listen to her EDUP Xcelerated Excellence podcast episode: Drs. Miriam Feldblum and Felecia Russell—Advocating for Immigrant Equity in Higher Education!

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 20262.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0 Education 2.0 Health 2.0 Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference.  

Our guest, Kaplan Mobray, is globally acclaimed as one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational  business speakers and award-winning author of  “The 10Ks of Personal Branding”.  Educated at the University of Pennsylvania’s  Wharton School, he has been featured across global media outlets including CNN, Biz Asia, FOX Business, Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and shares his message to NFL players and fans annually at the Super Bowl. 

Kaplan has delivered keynote presentations and leadership development workshops on 5 continents helping individuals globally to build their brand, grow their business,become better leaders, increase sales, and advance their career. He continues to serve as a consultant to multinational companies working with global business leaders to elevate Performance Excellence, Branding, Business Growth,Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Culture and Engagement, Inclusion, and Workforce Transformation. All of his innovative presentations have been described as life-changing events.  Inhis personal pursuits, Kaplan is a professional saxophone player.

Kaplan serves as a frequent speaker acrossthe Global Conferences and Events Circuit. Kaplan has been a frequent main platform speaker at the prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT) national and global conferences.

Your Host: ⁠⁠Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP⁠⁠

Sponsor: The 2.0 Conferences. Register for the 2026 2.0 Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada and receive a discount courtesy of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence with the code EDUPXE15OFF. 

Your choice of the 2.0 Conferences include: CXO 2.0, Education 2.0,  Health 2.0, Founders 2.0, and the Fueld Conference. 

Resources:

Kaplan Mobray

EDUP The Experience

⁠Xcelerated Excellence Consulting⁠

Greeting: Brent Miller

#EDUPXE #EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE #EDUCATIONALEQUITY #Media #Marketing