Friday Morning Keynote Speaker: Dr. Liza Talusan
Educator | Speaker | Author | Leadership Coach
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Liza Talusan as our Friday morning keynote speaker at the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Educators of Color Conference (MAECC).
Dr. Talusan is an award-winning educator, author of The Identity-Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for More Inclusive Schools, and a nationally recognized expert in leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. With more than 25 years of experience guiding individuals and institutions through transformative learning, Dr. Talusan invites educators to engage in courageous self-reflection and build the skills necessary to create inclusive and thriving school communities.
Her keynote will inspire attendees to examine the power of identity-conscious practice and how we can all lead with intentionality, compassion, and accountability.
Friday Afternoon Keynote Speaker: Dr. Chrissy M. Thornton
President & CEO, Associated Black Charities
We are honored to feature Chrissy M. Thornton, President and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), as our afternoon keynote speaker.
A dynamic leader, advocate, and strategist, Dr. Thornton has devoted her career to advancing equity, opportunity, and economic empowerment for Black communities across Maryland. Through her visionary leadership at ABC, she has elevated conversations around wealth equity, health disparities, and systemic change—mobilizing partnerships that drive measurable community impact.
Dr. Thornton’s keynote will challenge and inspire attendees to consider the role of educators and institutions in building pathways to equity that extend beyond the classroom and into the heart of our communities.