Linda Diamond is best known for her nationally recognized professional books, Teaching Reading Sourcebook, used by many teacher preparation programs, Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures, and the Vocabulary Handbook. Linda was a teacher, principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and a Senior Policy Analyst in an education think tank.  After serving as CORE’s president for 26 years, Linda stepped down from that role and continues to work to improve literacy instruction.

Salaam Green, named the inaugural poet laureate of historic Birmingham, Alabama, 2024-2025. The prestigious position recognizes Ms. Green’s outstanding contributions to the literary arts and her commitment to fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry within her community. Green is the founder and director of Literary Healing Arts and a Road Scholar for the Alabama Humanities Alliance.