Presenters

A.D. Gladu studied acting, directing and playwriting at Avila University in Kansas City. Since that time she has worked in New York, Orlando, and Chicago in all three aspects of her degree. Of particular note was her 8 years at Walt Disney World as a show writer and director. 

She currently works in St. Louis at an architecture firm called PGAV Destinations where she creates experiences, rides, shows, and media for theme parks, museums, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums.  

Jordyn Elston is the Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Hazelwood School District. She brings more than seven years of communication and public relations experience to the position, including roles as Senior Public Relations Specialist for the State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency, where she informed the public about natural disasters throughout the state, wrote disaster-related talking points for Alabama's governor, and worked closely alongside FEMA to share disaster relief information with impacted communities. She was also a news anchor and multimedia journalist for WSFA 12 News in Montgomery, Alabama, where she covered historic stories such as the beginning of the COVID pandemic, protests following the death of George Floyd, the disappearance of Aniah Blanchard, and more. 

Elston is currently pursuing her PhD in organizational management from Carolina University. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Troy University and a master’s degree in strategic communication, also from Troy University. Elston was awarded the Troy University Hall School of Journalism and Communication 2022 Young Alumna of the Year Award. She also received the Southeastern Journalism Conference Best Hard News Reporter Award in 2017 and the Best Television Anchor Award in 2016.

Award-winning author Jody Feldman had early thoughts of working as a treasure hunter, a codebreaker, a movie director, and an inventor. Through a series of happenstances, however, she enrolled in the Mizzou School of Journalism and discovered she really could write. Her middle grade novels—The Seventh Level and The Gollywhopper Games series (HarperCollins/Greenwillow)—have appeared on 26 state reading lists and have won, among other honors, the Georgia Children’s Book Award and the Grand Canyon Readers Award. In regard to her first thriller and debut YA novel, No Way Home (Sourcebooks, 2022), School Library Journal notes, “Fans of mystery/thrillers with puzzles…will devour this book.” 

Jody lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she discovered she can explore all her passions through the characters in her books. 

Twitter/Instagram/Bluesky: @jodyfeldman   http://www.jodyfeldman.com

Tyrelle H.C. is a triple threat with him being a writer, business owner, and digital designer. With him started this author's journey at 15 years old. He is here to spread awareness about mental health and how it affects all of us. With his two self-published books Color Vision and Where the Moonfalls. It takes life experiences and art that is designed by him. To all shows that even young people have feelings and emotions too. He just wants people to know that their dreams are the basic building blocks of creativity and to follow them!

Instagram @tyrelle_.c

Facebook @Tyrelle Cornell

Email @ ManManpublishing@gmail.com 

Doan Phuong Nguyen is the author of Mèo and Bé and A Two Placed Heart (which will be published September 2024). She was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States when she was in elementary school. After growing up in the South, she settled in the Midwest. Doan Phuong loves anything pink and cute but also enjoys writing incredibly sad, emotionally evocative novels. She received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. 

Find her at doanphuong.com.

Instagram @doanphoungwrites

https://www.leeandlow.com/books/meo-and-be/teachers_guide 

Violinist, Abbie Steiling, is a performer, composer, and teacher from St Louis.  She performs domestically as well as abroad in an array of musical genres, and foremost as a member of the ‘70s prog-rock band, Pavlov’s Dog.  With the group, she acts as music director and director of touring and is featured on 5 of their most recent albums and is currently working on a new release with the band.  She recently received an RIAA certified platinum record for playing on “Line Without a Hook” by Ricky Montgomery and Warner Records, and additionally has performed with legendary artists including The Who, The Eagles, JD Blackfoot, Sister Hazel.  Other closely associated groups include involvement with Circus Flora, STAGES St Louis, Steiling Strings event music, The Big Rigs, Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra, and Kinetic Tapestry Physical Theatre.

Instagram: instagram.com/abbiesteiling

Youtube: youtube.com/@abbiesteilingmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yusCDTfcoTckyOJkcAVXm?si=oLcsmnaESOGWFm9WTzlnWA

Website: abbiesteiling.com 

Bethany Cutkomp is a writer from St. Louis, Missouri. She earned a BFA degree in creative writing at Truman State University and now works as a library associate at St. Louis County Library. Since March of last year, she has had over 30 pieces of fiction, poetry, and essays accepted for publication in literary magazines within the U.S. and internationally. 

Check out her published and forthcoming work linked on her website at https://bdcutkomp.wixsite.com/portfolio

Twitter @bdcutckomp

Dr. LaTisha A. Smith has always had an avid imagination. When she is not busy spending time with her family and working in her community, she is busy working as Executive Director of Student Support Services for a large urban school district in the Midwest. Dr. Smith is a member of several professional organizations, which include: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., St. Mary’s Special Services (Board Member), and others.  Overall, Dr. Smith helps to initiate and facilitate many programs aimed at fostering effective educators for a global society.  Her work in the public school system renders effective opportunities and resources for students and educators, needed for student success.   

Dr. Smith is also an avid volunteer.  Over the years, she has engaged in a number of civic opportunities through her work with the National Council of Negro Women and the PTO of her children’s schools.  

Dr. Smith received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, with certifications in Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, and Mental Retardation for grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.  In July 1999, she earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University with a minor is in Literacy.  Later she completed her Adult Basic Education Certification.  Dr. Smith earned a Doctor of Education in Child and Youth Studies, through Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in March 2005.  In December of 2015, she completed coursework for her Reading Specialist Certification (Grades K-12), and coursework for her Administration Certification in 2020.

Also, an avid writer, Dr. Smith has recently become a Scholastic, Inc. published author (2022), Page Turner Press & Media (2023), and has self-published several books including: And the People Carried Signs; Mama Always Knows Best; and Boasts, Quotes, and Love Notes (www.drlasmith.org).   

A resident of Missouri, Dr. Smith enjoys life with her two beautiful teenagers, Ty and Tyla. Dr. Smith believes that belief in a Higher Power, supportive family, close friends, and a fulfilling career, makes the most wholesome and complete human beings. Dr. Smith encourages everyone to follow their life’s destiny. Her message to the world: Live life to the fullest.

Instagram: @drlasmith1 

LinkedIn: Dr. LaTisha Smith

Email: drlasmith@drlasmith.org

Website: www.drlasmith.org

Website: www.readywear.org 

Marie Boesch is a Doctoral Candidate in the Heritage Leadership Ed.D. Cohort at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, focusing on the themes of social justice, sustainability, and participatory culture. She has worked in the Hazelwood School District for over 20 years and has helped high school students as a school counselor for the last ten years.  Before supporting students as a school counselor, she taught English for students grades 9 through 12. Ms. Boesch holds a BA in English from Truman State University and a MA in School Counseling from Lindenwood University.

When not working in her garden, Ms. Boesch can be found with a cup of coffee and future travel itineraries on her laptop. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter who are her inspiration and her foundation. She has dedicated her career to helping others as an educator and looks forward to one day actually having a paying gig with her band, The Monday Moms.

Desirae has spent the last 13 years of her career in the K-12 educational setting. Starting in elementary, but quickly transitioning to secondary education as a school counselor. Desirae’s passion is to serve families and students in urban school districts by helping them navigate life’s challenges. She believes that mental health is an important component when dealing with adversity and trauma.

Desirae currently holds an Educational specialist degree in Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology. She earned this degree from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 2019. She also has a Masters of Art in Counseling from Lindenwood University. 

Desirae’s future aspirations are to complete her Doctoral degree and pursue Professional counseling licensure in the state of Missouri. Finally, she will continue the work of advocating for mental health in the Black and Brown communities!

Corey Black is a St. Louis born spoken word | hip-hop artist. He is the emcee of afro/fusion band Kreative Pandemonium and shared the stage with Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli, Eugene B. Redmond, Talaam Acey, Black Ice, M'Reld Green, Nappy Roots, Common, and others. Expanding his fan base, Black has also performed at slams in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, New York City, and Chicago.

 In addition to his performing, Black has collaborated with many hip-hop artist and producers. He has featured his poetry on international recording artist L-Vis 1990's debut album Neon Dreams released in October 2011 through PMR/Island/Universal Records.

 Prior to his music career, Black served in the United States Marine Corps. He draws on that experience as a catalyst to create his art. Black believes, "there is poetry in everything, it's my job to find it and present it to the world."

Matt Thompson is a writer, teacher and producer based in Los Angeles.

www.emptyrhetoricproductions.com 

The Black Rep, a 45-year-old legacy Black arts organization, is committed to producing, re-imagining, and commissioning work written by Black playwrights and creating opportunities for new voices and youth. Founded by Producing Director Ron Himes, the vision for The Black Rep continues: a more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources for Black professionals and students in the theatre; improved representation on and back-stage in the theatre industry; and a fostered community culture of support and mentorship for those who will follow.

Facebook- @stlblackrep
Insta- @stlblackrep
Twitter- @stlblackrep