With more than a decade of experience advocating for low- income, first-generation students and students of color, Kimberly Jones has established herself as a credible voice within policy circles in Washington, DC. Currently, Kimberly serves as the Executive Vice President at the Council for Opportunity in Education (“COE”). In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Council, including representation of students served by the Federal TRIO Programs (“TRIO”) before the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Education, and all government agencies; oversight of the program and professional development offerings for college access and success professionals; the organization’s fiscal policies and information technology; and the development and implementation of all print and digital communications of COE.

Prior to joining COE, Kimberly was an Associate in the Communications Practice Group at the law firm of Dow Lohnes, PLLC (now Cooley LLP), where she advised clients on a variety of broadcast and media law issues. As a result of her expertise in the areas of higher education, congressional relations, and grassroots mobilization, Kimberly has been featured in publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and Diverse Issues in Higher Education and has delivered remarks at convenings by Comcast, NAACP, LULAC, and other notable organizations. She also serves as an inaugural Advisory Committee member for the Association of Young Americans, which advocates for Americans aged 18 to 35.

Kimberly has served in leadership roles within various professional and civic organizations, including the Committee for Education Funding, of which she served as President; the National Bar Association, for which she chaired the Legislation Standing Committee; the Junior League of Washington, for which she was named Outstanding New Member in 2018; Women in Government Relations; and the Washington Government Relations Group.

Kimberly is a 2000 graduate of Yale University and a 2004 graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center. In 1999, she was named a Harry S. Truman Scholar. In 2016, Kimberly was named one of the “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” by the National Bar Association and also received the organization’s Excellence in Activism Award. In 2018, she was selected for the Diversity Executive Leadership Program sponsored by ASAE, the American Society of Association Executives.

Calvin Mackie is an award-winning mentor, a critically acclaimed author, an internationally renowned motivational speaker, and a successful entrepreneur. He is the older brother of actor Anthony Mackie, who plays Falcon in Marvel’s Avengers. Through his travels and online mentoring presence, Mackie reaches millions of students and professionals annually. Dr. Mackie was appointed to the Louisiana Council on the Social Status of Black Boys and Black Men where he led the state’s effort to create policy and programs to positively impact the quality of life for black males and families in the state of Louisiana. Dr. Mackie founded STEM NOLA, which is a non-profit organization founded to expose, inspire and engage communities about the opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Lewis Paul Long has seized countless opportunities to launch new ventures, tackle tough organizational and civic challenges, and relentlessly coach and support colleagues across the corporate, non-profit, and government sectors. Passionate about culture as a mobilizing interpretive force and source of innovation. Bio from https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisplong/

Dr. Alveda C. King is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King and the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a Christian Evangelist. Author of the best seller KING RULES and WE’RE NOT COLORBLIND, she is also founder of Speak for Life, Chairman of the Center for The American Dream -AFPI,  and currently serves as a Fox News Channel contributor and is the host of “Alveda King’s House” on Fox Nation and NEWSMAX opinion contributor; a member of Optimist International; former college professor; and a film and music veteran. Alveda is also a former Georgia State Legislator, college professor, a twice assigned Presidental appointee, and a 2021 recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.