Dr. David Ragland grew up in North St. Louis, a few miles from Ferguson, Mo. Dr. Ragland is the co-founder for the Truth-Telling Project in St. Louis, Mo and a Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies.  The Truth Telling project is focused on developing a truth and reconciliation process to address structural violence and racism for Ferguson and Beyond.

David serves on the board of the Peace and Justice Studies Association.  Additionally he is the United Nations Representative for the International Peace Research Association. Over the past 13 years Dr. Ragland has taught at Bucknell University, Vassar College, Hofstra University, University of Toledo, Eastern Michigan University, Teachers College Columbia University Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Washington University in St.Louis, Mo.

Dr. Ragland’s research focuses on Restorative Justice,  School & Social Violence, the School to Prison Pipeline,  Peace Education, Philosophy of Education, Coloniality and Critical Race Theory.  His most recent publication is a chapter titled "Peace Education as an Ethical Framework to Situate Restorative Justice: Locating the Concerns of Communities of Color in Peace and JusticeDiscourse" in Peace Studies between Tradition and Innovation.  David writes frequently for PeaceVoice and is currently working on a volume entitled "The Intellectual and Political History of Peacemakers of Color"