Our Voice Academy is a multi-day event and community aimed at empowering educators of color to gain greater visible leadership and recognized expertise. This program gives these underrepresented educators support and a networked community to pursue public speaking, publication, and other publicly seen positions of recognition.

Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns us of the danger of the single story - that when we allow a single narrative to become pervasive, we further stereotypes and build walls between one another. Our Voice Academy helps marginalized voices tell those untold stories, and empowers those who are shaping our future - our educators - to gain increased cultural competence and deeper empathy.

Over the course of three cohorts to date, over 50 educators of color have been empowered to share their stories and better advocate for equity in education. By raising cultural awareness and competency for more educators, they are creating a movement to increase equitable practices for all students.

Our Voice Academy is excited to partner with ISTE to provide OVA fellows with additional training and guidance around public speaking through the ISTE Community and TED Masterclass program. Select speakers will be chosen to speak at #ISTE2020. ISTE shares the goals of OVA to elevate the voices of underrepresented educators.