Our Speakers

Kimya P. Barden, PhD, is the founder of The Speaker Shop.  With over fifteen years of experience in both teaching and mental health, Kimya is a university professor, social worker, psychotherapist, researcher, and writer whose work centers on motherhood, fatherhood, youth identity development, and race related stress. She is an Associate Professor of Urban Community Studies at Northeastern Illinois University.  She has an M.A from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and a doctorate from Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work. Kimya offers culturally responsive keynotes, talks and workshops on:

• Parenting
• Trauma
• Mental Health
• Higher Education
• Equity Audit

Naja Morris is a senior real estate specialist and real estate negotiation expert with over ten years of real estate experience in the Chicagoland area. A Chicago native, she is dedicated Broker Price Opinion Resource, BPOR, certified by the National Association of REALTORS. She is a graduate of Purdue University. Naja offers social equity focused keynotes, talks, and workshops on:

• Housing Policy and BIPOC
• Home Ownership
• Access to Housing
• Cultivating Leadership
• Equity Audit

Lorenzo Craig has a B.S.in Physics, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tulane University, and an M.A.in Math Education from IIT. He is a S.T.E.M educator with over fifteen years of experience as both a high school teacher and S.T.E.M school administrator. He also created a robotics conference to introduce competitive engineering to Chicago Public School children. Lorenzo offers equity focused keynotes, talks and workshops on:

• S.T.E.M
• Robotics
• P-!2 Education
• Children of color and math identity
• Equity Audit

William Miller is an accomplished MBA. He has over ten years of experience within the financial services industry, specifically conducting internal investigations, fraud investigations, and foreclosure review. In addition, William is an expert in the development of culturally responsive curriculum for adolescents of color. William offers equity focused keynotes, talks and workshops on:

• Race and Corporate Culture
• Leadership
• Curriculum Development for Adolescents of Color
• Equity Audit

Jacqueline Duncan is an award winning, international leader and influencer in both education and biotechnological sales. Having lived and worked in Germany, Japan, and LA, she offers a global perspective on effective leadership, strategy, and execution.  A maverick in fitness, fashion and  lifestyle, Jacqui provides equity focused keynotes, talks and workshops on:

• Cultivating Leadership  
• Authenticity
• Lifestyle
• Equity Audit

Jessica Marshall is a long time educator with extensive experience in curriculum development and professional learning for educators. Ms. Marshall was instrumental in the development of curriculum, professional learning and student program implementation at Chicago Public Schools. She was also part of the leadership team which launched the first ever CPS Office of Equity. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Learning Sciences at Northwestern University. Jessica provides equity focused keynotes, talks, and workshops on:

• Civic Engagement and Education
• White Teachers Supporting Students of Color
• Equity Audit