Dr. Leah Austin is an accomplished, multi-faceted and visionary leader who has been working on behalf of Black children and their families for over two decades. Leah began her career as a public school teacher in Washington, DC..

Leah has enjoyed a dynamic career that has included teaching, grantmaking, organizing, research and evaluation. Her professional trajectory includes leadership positions with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Southern Education Foundation, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and the Schott Foundation for Public Education.

In each of these organizations she helped to accomplish great things by overseeing efforts to advance educational equity in the South, managing an investment portfolio designed to increase the education achievement of students in Atlanta, GA, providing language and literacy resources to teachers and families, establishing a national literacy campaign encouraging reading between boys and men, working on grassroots organizing efforts to successfully advocate for universal pre kindergarten legislation in Washington DC and strengthening the education justice movement by providing research, policy analysis and funding as well advocating within philanthropy to increase investments that support racial justice in education.

Leah holds degrees from Fisk University, Howard University and the University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston.

Dr. Shauna Knox is a researcher, policy activist, philanthro-advocate, and thought leader in Black humanity by way of designated expertise in the decolonization and re-humanization of Black citizens of the Global South. Dr. Knox was previously appointed Chief of (Racial Equity) Strategy at Associated Black Charities, a public foundation committed to the closing of the racial wealth gap in the United States through research and 7 practice. Prior to this role, she served a five-year tenure at the U.S. Department of Education, during which she received a Breakthrough Award for her work on the team leading the charge to upskill the Department following the eighth reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. She was also named the sole Subject Matter Expert for Human Trafficking and Child Labor Exploitation at the Department.

Dr. Knox has written two compelling books, the first: Engaging Currere Toward Decolonization: Negotiating Black Womanhood through Autobiographical Analysis, and the second:: The Black Subaltern: An Intimate Witnessing.

Allyson Jones has worked in community impact and social good for over 10 years. Allyson has experience strategizing and developing plans where people work together to create change in communities. From working with fortune 500 companies, to supporting smaller grassroots organizations, to on-the-ground community efforts and volunteering in neighborhoods. Allyson is dedicated to strategic methodizing, advancing the disenfranchised, emboldening people and doing service. Allyson leads the Community Mobilization work at NBCDI which includes the National Village Network, communications, National partnerships, events and conferences.

Rev. Terrance McKinley is an experienced and transformative national leader in advocacy, public policy, mobilizing, campaigns, racial justice, and civil and human rights. He’s the recipient of the 2023 President Joseph R. Biden Juneteenth President’s Achievement Award for his tireless dedication and lifelong commitment to service. Rev. McKinley’s background reflects his ongoing commitment to scholarship, leadership, justice, and the power of faith that profoundly impacts the community, the nation, and the world.

Kim Keating has 27 years of experience conducting social science research and program evaluation. Her work has focused primarily on federally funded programs that address the needs of low-income and marginalized children and families with emphasis on child welfare initiatives, early childhood experience, infant-toddler mental health, and the social emotional well-being of young children. Ms. Keating has contributed to several national-level research projects that address program performance and related child and family outcomes, and has expertise working in diverse communities, including Tribal, migrant, urban, and rural families. Kim leads the research and publications work for NBCDI, developing ways to find and conduct strong research that drives the mission of NBCDI.

Ravenn L. Moore has two decades of nonprofit and public sector experience writing and managing grants, providing process management, program evaluation, data analysis and reporting, and oversight of community work groups. Ravenn leads NBCDI’s narrative and movement-building work. She contributes to NBCDI’s preeminent advocacy and thought leadership, world-class conferences and convenings, and highly regarded brand and reputation initiatives. Joining the NBCDI team has never felt like working for Ravenn; it is a calling and a dream come true.

Kerron Kalloo is an innovative and enthusiastic leader, committed to empowering changemakers in the Black community. In his role as Director of Community Engagement at NBCDI, he leads a network of organizations to advocate and uplift Black children and families. His exceptional leadership skills, program development expertise, and commitment to service reflect his unwavering passion for creating a better future for all.

Jon Law has ten years of experience in strategic planning, organizational development, program management, and facilitation. He is a collaborative learner focused on cultivating strong communities based on the values of democracy, liberation, and social justice. Since obtaining his Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Community Action and Public Policy, he has worked in Baltimore-local organizations to move the workforce and nonprofit ecosystems toward racial justice and elevating Black youth leadership. His professional and volunteer work has centered on understanding the complex and historical roots of oppression in order to uproot them and build new ways of living; he brings these approaches to his work at NBCDI.

Mya Murphy has engaged in advocacy, community engagement, research, and program development spaces for over five years. Mya leads NBCDI’s research and publications work alongside the Research Director, Kim Keating. Mya supports departmental research needs and leads the development of NBCDI’s national research agenda. Mya has experience with program management, research analysis, and partnerships.

Briana brings over a decade of invaluable experience in the non-profit sector. With a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in addressing social issues, she excels in mobilizing meaningful change and making a lasting impact. She joins NBCDI as the Senior Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. In this role, she leads the charge in supporting and managing the Office of the President and CEO, bringing her expertise and commitment to further the organization’s mission and goals.