Opening General Session

Amani Roberts (aka DJ AmRo) is a DJ / Emcee, professional speaker, author, podcaster, and professor who loves to push the boundaries of creativity on a daily basis. Amani is the Chief Musical Curator for his company, The Amani Experience. This company specializes in providing music for corporate events, social events, virtual events, team-building experiences, and teaches students of all ages how to DJ. Amani has worked with brands such as Marriott, 7-Eleven, ClifBar, Capital Group, Calendly, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and more.

Amani’s first book, “DJs Mean Business”, was released in April 2020, and takes readers (and listeners) through the journey of how a DJ set at a popular nightclub is similar to growing a business or career. Amani is the creator of the award-winning podcast, “The Amani Experience” as well as the co-host of the Adventures In Business podcast with co-host Mandi Graziano.

Amani is the Executive Director of the Center for Entertainment & Hospitality Management (EHM) and a professor at California State University - Fullerton (CSUF). He has been active on the board of Meeting Professionals International - Southern California for over eight years. In July 2021, Amani became the first African-American President of MPI Southern California in 44 years. Amani graduated from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music (Boston) with his Masters in Music Business in December 2021).

Named Educational Pioneer by San Diego Magazine and one of their 50 people to watch, Griffith’s career has focused on creating equitable schools. She was founding principal of Millennial-Tech Middle, and founding Executive Director of еᶾCivic High. CNN Money named еᶾCivic High one of the top 41 most innovative K-12 schools in America.

After a nationwide search, Griffith was appointed as Inaugural Executive Director/Superintendent of The Preuss School UC San Diego by Chancellor Pradeep Khosla.

Griffith is a featured educator and to date, is the only educator in San Diego to have opened three new schools.

Edward C. Bush Ph.D. began his career in higher education in 1995 and has worked in the California Community College System since 1998. He is well known throughout the State of California as a leader who has been able to reimagine traditional institutional practices. Dr. Bush holds a Ph.D. in Urban Educational Leadership from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from California State University San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California Riverside.

Dr. Bush currently serves as the President of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. He is a student success-focused leader with a clear vision and expertise in leading organizations through periods of change and structural disruption. Dr. Bush is an educational visionary whose innovative approach has improved student outcomes while reducing both achievement and opportunity gaps for students of color and other historically marginalized student populations. Dr. Bush is dedicated to creating teams of Educators who are committed to working towards meeting the evolving needs of students and the communities in which they serve.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Bush is committed to tackling issues relating to equity, diversity, and access for all students. His leadership expertise includes his involvement in statewide, national, and international committees and initiatives. Moreover, Dr. Bush is a co-author of multiple books and book chapters and has published 14 peer-reviewed publications in a variety of scholarly journals.

Dr. Bush has a history of developing programs and services that foster student success as well as creating successful targeted programs for underserved populations. He is a Co-Founder and Board Member of the African American Male Network and Development, Incorporated (A2MEND). A2MEND is a non-profit organization comprised of Community College Faculty and Administrators who volunteer their time to use their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within the Colleges they serve. A2MEND is a nationally recognized organization that has successfully improved the educational outcomes for men of color enrolled in the California Community College System. Dr. Bush also currently serves as a Board Member of four non-profit organizations and is the Chairperson for the All African Diaspora Educators Summit. Dr. Bush has presented his strategies for improving student outcomes for numerous national, statewide, and local organizations.

Naomi N. Shelton is the chief executive officer of the National Charter Collaborative (NCC), a nonprofit organization focused on increasing the diversity and performance of the nation’s charter school sector by supporting the success of single-site schools led by leaders of color. NCC’s network includes more than 450 charter school leaders of color representing 25 states and the District of Columbia. Naomi Shelton’s career as a leader in the education sector spans policy, advocacy, and programmatic initiatives with a deep focus on both K-12 and post-secondary education. Prior to joining NCC, Shelton was the first director of Community Engagement at the KIPP Foundation, where she defined and executed strategic partnerships supporting KIPP schools and communities across the country. Prior, she spent seven years as the Director of K-12 Advocacy with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), where she established and raised funds to expand the UNCF’s K-12 initiative working with HBCUs and strategic partners, including civil rights and faith-based organizations.

Ms. Shelton is nationally known and respected as a vocal advocate for quality choice options for Black and Brown students and families. She recently served as an esteemed volunteer board member of the DC Public Charter School Board, one of the highest quality authorizing boards in the country in a city where more than 40% of students attend charter schools.