Horace R. Hall, Ph. D. is assistant professor at DePaul University in the department of Educational Policy Studies and Research. He is also the founder and co-director of the school-based youth mentoring program R.E.A.L. (Respect, Excellence, Attitude and Leadership), which is designed to engage young people in critical thinking and social activism.

Dr. Andrea Brown-Thirston earned her bachelor of science degree from Northwestern University and her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently chief academic officer for the Chicago International Charter School Network.