.png)
Keynote Address
Shattering Unnatural Literacy Hierarchies
In this session, Alfred Tatum will provide an analytical sketch of the annihilation of advanced literacy outcomes among African American children. He will then discuss six considerations for shattering the unnatural literacy hierarchy that finds too many of our nation's children reading and writing at the bottom of the well. His discussions ad call to action will be grounded in Black male literacy artifacts.
Dr. Alfred Tatum
This Year's Speakers
Name
Title
Name
Title
Name
Title
Name
Title
Saturday, May 2, 2026
9:00 AM
Keynote Address: Shattering Unnatural Literacy Hierarchies
Dr. Alfred Tatum, Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver
10:00 AM | Breakout Session A
The Importance of Language and Literacy in a Youth's Social and Academic Development
Shameka Stewart, Esq., Ph.D., CCC-SLP/L, Associate Director/Associate Professor, Juvenile Forensic Speech-Language Pathologist
10:00 AM | Breakout Session B
From IEP to Instruction: Making Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Work for Students with Dyslexia
Rebecca Ballantine, M.A., Ed.M., C-SLDI, Director of Literacy Interventions & Access, NYC PS ; Shara Eisner Grynberg, Senior Director of Specialized Instruction, Quality IEPs, and Professional Learning, NYC PS
10:00 AM | Breakout Session C
It Takes a Village: Collaborating Across NYCPS Divisions to Improve Student Literacy Outcomes Using Data
Jared Danker, B.S./M.S., Ph.D.;
Wynta Nivens, Ed.D.;
Rebecca Vitali-DeCola, M.S. Ed., SDL, CERI
11:00 AM | Breakout Session A
Leading and Learning Within MTSS-R Implementation: Aligning Data, Instruction, and Advocacy
Ayana Bass, M.A., Boston University/Rhode Island College
11:00 AM | Breakout Session B
Which One Comes First? Prioritizing Multiple Identities in the Dyslexic Classroom
Samantha Fletcher, Ed.M, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community Engagement, The Siena School
11:00 AM | Breakout Session C
Reimagining Adolescent Literacy Intervention: Lessons from a Data-Driven Secondary Reading Pilot in NYC Public Schools
Emily Van Houten, M.Ed.;
Rebecca Vitali-DeCola, M.S. Ed., SDL, CERI
12:30 PM | Session
Literacy Across the Content Areas
Rebecca Vitali-DeCola, M.S. Ed., SDL, CERI, Nancy Hennessy, M.Ed.;
Julia Salamone, M.Ed.;
Wynta Nivens, Ed.D.
1:30 PM | Breakout Session A
Black Brilliance Beyond the Gap: Transformative Literacy Practices for Adolescent Readers
Miah Daughtery, Ed.D., President, The M. Daughtery Group
1:30 PM | Breakout Session B
Access for All: Embedding Foundational Reading Skills in Secondary Content Classrooms
Carolyn Durante, Ed.D, Senior Relationship Manager, AIM Institute for Learning and Research
2:30 PM | Closing Address
We Teach Who We Are
Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, Chief of Curriculum & Instruction/Adjunct Professor,
School District of Philadelphia &
Saint Joseph’s University
Thursday, April 30, 2026
6:00 PM
Virtual Platform Opens
All Sessions are listed in Eastern Time (ET)
Welcome Address
6:00 PM | Opening Session
Beyond the Label: Supporting Black Adolescents with Dyslexia Through Advocacy, Identity, and Evidence-Based Practice
Cheryl Poe, M.A., Urb., Ed., Advocating 4 Kids Inc
7:00 PM | Breakout Session A
Roots, Prefixes, and Power: Teaching Morphology for Adolescent Literacy Success
Elizabeth Landry, Ed.D., Professor, University of North Carolina-Pembroke
7:00 PM | Breakout Session B
Black Brilliance Beyond the Gap: Transformative Literacy Practices for Adolescent Readers
Tamia Peterson, M.Ed., Founder, The Savvy SPEDucator
Available on Conference Platform| Pre-recorded
How Understanding the Adolescent Brain Helps Us Better Support Teens
Karen Wilson, Ph.D., Director, West LA Neuropsychology, PC
Available on Conference Platform| Pre-recorded
Reading Futures: Accelerating Literacy Through High-Dosage Tutoring: Real Strategies, Real Results
Dave Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer, Reading Futures
Available on Conference Platform| Pre-recorded
Joy Education Foundation: Accelerating Literacy Through High-Dosage Tutoring: Real Strategies, Real Results
Demetrius Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer, Joy Education Foundation
Available on Conference Platform| Pre-recorded
LearnUp Centers: Accelerating Literacy Through High-Dosage Tutoring: Real Strategies, Real Results
Kayla Webster, Tutor and Outreach Team Lead, LearnUp Centers
TBA| Live Session
Live Panel Discussion: Accelerating Literacy Through High-Dosage Tutoring: Real Strategies, Real Results
Demetrius Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer, Joy Education; Dave Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer, Reading Futures; Kayla Webster, Tutor and Outreach Team Lead, LearnUp Centers
Friday, May 1, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Dyslexia Simulation
Jeanine Cyrwus,M.Ed., CAGS, C-SLCT, Director of Outreach & Literacy Services, Oakwood School
Our Sponsors
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3