The Educating Children of Color Summit provides a unique opportunity for educators, juvenile justice, and child welfare professionals to enhance their ability to retain and inspire the students they serve. It is also an opportunity for high school students to learn about themselves while they explore higher education.
Over the last 17 years, ECOC has awarded more than $628,000 in scholarships and educational gifts as well as 320 laptops to students attending the Educating Children of Color Summit. During the 2025 Summit, $86,000 in scholarships and $10,000 in educational gifts will be awarded to students in attendance. In addition, five $500 awards will be provided to educators for classroom enhancement or continuing education.
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at seven years old, David Hogenson was adopted to a family in Bozeman, Montana. In high school, he gained his Private Pilot’s License. He is a graduate of USAFA and was a member of the precision flying team.
Jaylen Palmer is a dedicated commercial pilot, certificated flight instructor, and aeronautical engineering undergraduate at the United States Air Force Academy. He is also a flight instructor for youth aviation programs.
Dr. Maurice “Scotty” Scott is a physician in Park Hill, Denver. He serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and is an attending physician on the University of Colorado Hospital Palliative Care Consult Service.
Shawn Womack is a choreographer and dance professor at Colorado College. She founded the Ohio-based Shawn Womack Dance Projects, a contemporary dance company that performed throughout the United States and in the former Soviet Union.
Laura Hymers Treglia leads the Dance for Parkinson’s program at Ormao Dance Company and co-teaches Dancing Your Stories for Elders at Hillside Community Center. Laura is dedicated to sharing the benefits of movement and dance.
Kai Gaynor is a Colorado Springs-based artist and art teacher specializing in portrait art. Inspired by women and nature, Kai's artwork celebrates the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Dee Smith is the Outreach Director for Concrete Couch. He was born in raised in the Southside of Springs in the neighborhood affectionately known as “K-Land.” He and his wife, Jennifer, established OneBodyEnt and the K-Land Neighborhood Association.
Aliyah Surovec is a driven legal professional and advocate for justice, currently serving as a Deputy District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District of Colorado and earned her J.D. from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in 2024.
Judge Fennick is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. She began her legal career as a staff attorney with Colorado Legal Services. In October 2021, Judge Fennick was appointed to the County Court bench in El Paso County.
Essence Duncan is a youth public defender in the Denver Trial Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. She has a BA in Criminology and Psychology from Florida State University and received her law degree CU Boulder Law School.
Stephanie Curry currently serves as a Deputy District Attorney with the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office where she actively prosecutes criminal cases, advocate for victims, and promotes community safety.
Rain Lynch is a Junior at Fountain Valley School. Rain has swam competitively for almost 9 years, and she is on the Varsity swim team at her high school. Rain loves reading, writing, and going out with friends.
Lauren Russo is a Junior at Palmer Ridge High School. Lauren loves to support her community and help people, which is why she loves being a part of the Teen Board. She plays golf, soccer, and field hockey.
Emmah Johnson is passionate about mental health and advocating for mental health. Her work on the Teen Board has led her to improve students’ mental health at her school. She is a Senior at Lewis Palmer High School and plans to study Emergency Management.
Ellie Glover joined the Teen Advocacy Board in 2024 after seeing the direct impacts suicide has had on her community. She is a Senior at Lewis Palmer High School and will be playing college volleyball after she graduates.
Evan Clumb has been in active recovery for over twelve years which is what drives his advocacy, whether for mental health or recovery for those needing treatment.
Javier Rosario-Heredia works collaboratively with schools and districts within El Paso County to help support the mental health of the staff and students in all the schools from the individual level to a system level.
Isabella Serna is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in communications at UCCS. She is Youth Mental Health First Aid certified, a QPR trainer, a Sources of Strength Trainer, and co-facilitates Suicide Prevention Partnership Teen Advocacy Board.
Maria Cortés supports SPP Suicide Prevention Referral Program, overseeing the Teen Advocacy Board, and providing suicide prevention training. A mom, grandma, and hiker, Maria loves family, travel, and movies.
Susmitha Ponnapalli, a Fellow/Alumni at LAW SCHOOL...Yes We Can, graduated from CU Boulder in May with a degree in Political Science and Sociology and a Philosophy minor. She is currently applying to law school and is excited to join the conference.
Gregory Abukar-Duru, a senior at UCCS, majors in criminal justice with a pre-law minor. He plans to attend Yale Law School after his five-year government contract and looks forward to sharing the program’s opportunities.
T'Phani is a first-gen college and law student at the University of Denver. Passionate about educational access, she mentors low-income students and serves as a 1L Senator and Black Law Students Alliance member. She’s excited to represent LSYWC at ECOC!
Roberto Ramírez, appointed district judge in 2017, is a CU and DU adjunct professor. Previously, he served as Arvada's Litigation Counsel, U.S. Air Force Reserve Chief Prosecutor, Senior Prosecutor, Public Defender, and Defense Department Law Professor.
Assistant Professor in General Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, and an investigator in the Colorado Program for Patient Center Decisions and the Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS).
Camille Moore is an Associate Attorney at Furtado Law and a mentor with LSYWC. She holds degrees in Political Science and Ethnic Studies from CU Boulder and a JD from the University of Denver, aiming to drive change through her legal career.
LSYWC Vice President/Admissions and Outreach Committee/Litigation Associate at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck/Construction defect and real estate teams.
The motivated and ambitious warrior Don Badgett brings a new style to the genre with his southern-infused style and cognitively impactful lyrics, shedding light on a new rap and hip hop narrative.
Charmas lee, Human Performance Specialist, Transformational Speaker, Author, Elite Coach and Trainer of Champions.
Chef Andre left the corporate world after 20 years to pursue a culinary career. He attended culinary school at PPCC, and is currently the head chef at Sarap!
Lisa is the founder/CEO of Kingdom Builder's and currently sits on the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board. She received a bachelor's degree in social work at Limestone College in 2006. She also completed her master’s degree in Adult Education in 2011.
Erika Gilchrist is regarded as one of the most energizing, engaging, and captivating speakers in the industry.
Michelle Shannon is a Pre-College Resource Specialist for PCC Gateway to College program. She teaches a class that helps students build their emotional intelligence, learn personal responsibility, and employ critical thinking skills.
Uyen Le is the founder of Beauty Bar Inc, a one-of-a-kind salon, bar, and boutique experience. She expanded her presence with a second salon in April 2017 on the city's northeast side, and has recently added a third location, MedSpa by Beauty Bar.
Tanya Storrar embarked on a 19 year journey as a hair stylist in 2003. Ultimately, she transitioned to the role of Project Manager at Beauty Bar Salon & Spa, working closely with the owner to facilitate growth in the salon business.
Jason McBride has worked in the East Denver community since 2010! Born and raised in the Park Hill neighborhood, he stepped away from the gang lifestyle to give back to the community he loves.
Certified Nutrition Coach, Group Fitness Instructor, Xtreme Hip Hop Instructor, Personal Trainer and co-owner of I Love Me Journey in Colorado Springs
Chaundra Williams is a certified mental health life coach and the owner of Beacon of Hope, LLC
Brian Neff is an accomplished, FAA Certified, commercial drone pilot and enjoys working with young people and sharing his expertise.
Grand Master Sterling Chase, Sr.
GM Sterling Chase, a retired USAF Officer and 7th Degree Black Belt, developed self-defense programs for medical professionals and massage therapists. He is certified in Rape Awareness and Prevention and is an NRA "Refuse To Be a Victim" instructor.
As a former chair of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, he played a key role in defeating Amendment 2. As principal of Wasson High School, he implemented Block Scheduling and led diversity initiatives as chair of Deluxe Corporation's Diversity Council.
Dr. Dimitri Klebe holds a Bachelor’s in Physics from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota. He leads the Mobile Earth and Space Observatory project and develops the All Sky Infrared Visible Analyzer for research.
Veronica has over 10 years in materials science research and 20 in teaching. She mentors student teams on space missions, including high-altitude balloon payloads. She holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, an M.Sc., and a Ph.D. in Materials Science.
Sterling Chase graduated from Liberty HS in 2000 and Universal Technical Institute in 2004. After working at Firestone and several dealerships, he founded Sterling Autowerks in 2016 and expanded to Eurovan service in 2020, with plans for further growth.
Derek Anthony Ingraham holds an MA in Telecommunications and a Bachelor's in IT from FIU. He has worked for the City of Miami, U.S. Department of Defense, and Google. He currently serves as a Software Development Manager at Progressive Insurance.
Meg is dedicated to improving lives through mindfulness and positivity, with a B.A. from the University of Dallas and a Master's in Teaching (emphasis in Positive Psych.) from Colorado College. She holds a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Certificate.
Born in Saginaw, MI, and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Temiya is a wife and mother of 4. She has a Master's in Social Work and is a retired Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. Her interests include photography, tennis, psychology, and design.
Tanisha Jones is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 26 years in education, specializing in special education. She advocates for trauma-informed practices in the classroom to help students thrive emotionally and academically.
Dr. Jones Simmons is an educator with 30+ years with a BA & MS in English, MS in Educational Administration, and EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership. A retired public school administrator, she empowers young people to build confidence.
Todd Bredbenner is an Associate Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCCS, specializing in solid mechanics and machine learning to guide clinicians in individualized bone health maintenance and fracture prevention strategies.
Dr. Cindy Yee instructs Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at UCCS, with a Bachelor's from MIT and a Ph.D. from Caltech, and researches machine learning and dynamical systems. She co-advises the Society of Women Engineers' club to inspire girls in STEM
Pamela is the Chief Operation Officer at the Sachs Foundation. She earned her BA in Sociology from UNLV and an MSW from the University of Denver.
Monica Guzman is a leadership speaker, performance coach, and author of "Fearless by Choice." She empowers diverse audiences in resilience and personal branding and shares valuable insights on LinkedIn.
Dr. Carrillo-Stresow is a business management professor with 15 years of experience in human resources. As Sr. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CSU Pueblo, she drives transformational change and fosters positive organizational culture.
Dr. Janice Fortman is a relationship coach and award-winning author with over 20 years of experience in effective communication dynamics. She empowers individuals to build healthier connections and is a sought-after speaker on relationship strategies.
Susan Dallam has been with Odyssey ECCO since 2013, teaching AVID, math, and Spanish. She teaches dual enrollment for CSU and manages the MTSS. A doctoral candidate, she advocates for diverse learning and access to higher education.
Serina is a Youth Services and Transition Manager for Colorado's DVR, focusing on pre-employment transition services and employment first. With 10 years as a counselor for youth with disabilities, she promotes inclusive employment.
Izzy Nunez is the Director of Education & Advocacy at Food to Power, focused on improving Colorado Springs' local food system. They enjoy making zines and playing music with friends outside of work.
René DeAnda is a Professional Academic Advisor with 20 years of experience, dedicated to empowering students. He shares knowledge and resources to help them save money, complete degrees faster, and achieve their academic goals.
Ambrose Feess-Armstrong is the Community Education Manager at Food to Power, where they combine their love for community building and food. In their free time, they enjoy creating art and traveling.
Cheryl is a Youth Services and Transition Manager at Colorado's DVR, with 24 years of experience. She focuses on school-to-work collaboratives and advocates for improved post-secondary outcomes for youth with disabilities through community collaboration
Dr. La Tasha Bruner-Hill holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and multiple degrees, including a Master of Science in Administration. She is a Certified Mood Depression Professional and a Family Nurse Practitioner, dedicated to enhancing mental health care.
Jeff has taught at CMHS for 21 years, currently teaching Economics and a Mindfulness course. He holds an MA in Teaching from Concordia University and a Graduate Certificate in Secondary Economic Education. Jeffs is also a skills facilitator at the USAFA.
LaKeisha is in her 23rd year of education, having served as a Teacher, Coach, Counselor, and Administrator. She currently works as the Program Coordinator for SpEd Behavior and Discipline Supports in Aldine ISD.
Dr. Md Rubayat-E Tanjil earned his B.Sc. from BUET and M.Sc. and Ph.D. from USF. He specializes in nanomanufacturing of 2D metals and is dedicated to teaching independent problem-solving. In his free time, he volunteers at a cat shelter and enjoys sports.
Dr. Sheila V. Eggeston-Bullock, Ed D
An Expert Witness in Special Education Law, with 30+ years of experience, Dr. Sheila Eggleston-Bullock seeks to ensure student success, reflecting her motto: "Success is the ability to go from challenge to challenge without losing enthusiasm."
Jen Bilger, an accomplished Author, Speaker, Certified Behavioral Consultant, Business/Leadership Coach, and thought leader, brings a wealth of experience to her engagements.
Izzy Nu�ez is the Director of Education & Advocacy at Food to Power. They grew up in Colorado Springs and believe that a better world is possible, and it can start here in our local food system.
Dr. Md Rubayat-E Tanjil is from Bangladesh and earned his B.Sc. from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He later completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF).
Dr. Sheila V. Eggleston-Bullock is a seasoned professional with a career spanning over 30 years in education and various administrative roles.
Sunai West has participated in FFA's gardening and recycling programs at Odyssey. She was a member of the link crew where she used her skills to help incoming freshmen and plan school events to create a strong school community.
Francesco Gallegos has actively participated in culinary competitions to help him achieve his dream of becoming a chef. He is currently the president of the basketball club.
Branden Thomas has a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins). Shortly after graduating, he began a career with UPS in the Business Development department.
Dawn-Antoinette Thomas has a BA in Speech Communication from Colorado State University and MA in Secondary Education. Currently, she is a district secondary literacy coach.
Native Colorado artist, Tonio LeFebre, is of Piro Pueblo and Spanish descent designs and creates artistic works that reflect the teachings he received from elders in his community while growing up.
Dr. Hernandez is the first-generation, Mexican-American bilingual daughter of immigrants with over sixteen years of experience in the education and nonprofit sectors. She is currently the Director of the Pre-Collegiate Support and Success Center at UCCS.
Dr Kimberly Dickman is an assistant professor at the US Air Force Academy where she teaches healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, and resiliency. Her academic specialty is in human sex and sexuality and Positive Psychology.
Abbie Kohlman currently serves as the Program Support Specialist for the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance (PPBEA). Her position with the PPBEA is to assist K-12 students throughout their career exploration process.
Mark Dickerson retired from the USAF after nearly 25 years of service. He is Trustee of a local non-profit funding youth scholarships.
Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, Director, Inspirer, Entrepreneur & Founder of the Hip Hop ConnXion Family. Find on Facebook: Suave Connxion www.hiphopconnxion.com
Dr. Lynnane George is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She teaches classes on electronics, space systems, and robots.
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