Mid-Atlantic Educators of Color Conference · 2026 · Baltimore, Maryland

MAECC · Harboring Excellence

Reginald F. Lewis Museum · Bryn Mawr School
We are honored and energized to gather with you for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Educators of Color Conference. May today offer reflection, restoration, bold conversation, and renewed purpose. We are grateful to be in community with you.
Thursday Evening
Opening Reception · Reginald F. Lewis Museum
5:30 PM
Doors Open
2nd Floor Lobby
6:00–8:00 PM
Opening Reception
  • Spoken Word — Taaj Davis
  • Welcome from the Planning Team
  • Hors d'oeuvres · Beer & wine bar
Friday · Conference Day
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
7:45–8:45 AM
Check-In & Breakfast
Lobby (2nd Fl)
8:45–9:15 AM
Opening Session
Theatre (2nd Fl)
9:25–10:20 AM
Workshop Block A
  • Strength in Difference · Theatre (2nd Fl)
  • Reframing Equity · Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
  • Beyond the Bookshelf · Boardroom (4th Fl)
  • Sustaining the Spark · Classroom (4th Fl)
10:20–10:35 AM
☕ Break & Transition
10:35 AM–12:00 PM
Mastery Block
  • Sustaining an Independent School Career · Strategenius · Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
  • 10 Essentials Workshop · Associated Black Charities · Theatre (2nd Fl)
12:00–12:50 PM
🍽 Lunch · Lobby (2nd Fl)
12:50–1:45 PM
Workshop Block B
  • Thriving, Not Surviving · Theatre (2nd Fl)
  • Creating Connections · Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
  • Restorative Practice · Boardroom (4th Fl)
  • What Is Excellence to a Robot? · Classroom (4th Fl)
  • ★ Resume Review w/ JohnEric Advento, Strategenius · Commons (4th Fl)
1:45–2:00 PM
☕ Break & Transition
2:00–2:50 PM
Workshop Block C
  • Prioritizing Wholeness · Theatre (2nd Fl)
  • Threads of Connection · Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
  • Empowering Students · Boardroom (4th Fl)
  • Landscape of Athletics · Classroom (4th Fl)
3:00–3:45 PM
Community Closing
Theatre (2nd Fl)
3:45–5:00 PM
Explore the Museum
Bus: 4:45 PM
Community Iftar Dinner · McDonogh School
  • Driving separately: arrive by 5:30 PM
  • Enter campus at Lamborn Rd · Park in the Woods Lot
  • Proceed to the Edward St. John Building
Saturday · Closing Day
Bryn Mawr School
8:00–8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:30–9:15 AM
Opening
  • Welcome — Bryn Mawr Head of School & Diane Nichols
  • Breathing / Intention — Rev. Kristin Elliott
  • Keynote Introduction — Priscilla Morales
9:15–10:15 AM
Closing Keynote · Dr. Liza Talusan
10:15–10:45 AM
Student Performance & Closing
Closing Acknowledgements — Taaj Davis
Workshop Descriptions
Block A · 9:25–10:20 AM
Strength in Difference
Jessy Molina, Molina Consulting
Theatre (2nd Fl)
A reflective workshop inviting educators of color to explore shared experiences and meaningful differences while strengthening collective power.
Reframing Equity
Wordna Meskheniten, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
Supports educators in grounding and sustaining equity work during moments of change and challenge.
Beyond the Bookshelf
Sharlene Wilson Ottley & Caryn Heskey, The River School
Boardroom (4th Fl)
Hands-on strategies for selecting culturally relevant texts that affirm identity and promote equitable literacy.
Sustaining the Spark
Kaneia Mayo Crumlin, Beauvoir School
Classroom (4th Fl)
An affirming session for educators who are parents, offering strategy-sharing and renewal.
Mastery Block · 10:35 AM–12:00 PM
Sustaining an Independent School Career
Mary Rose Fernandez & Orpheus Crutchfield, Strategenius
Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
Exploring longevity, leadership, and sustainability in independent schools.
10 Essentials Workshop
Chrissy Thornton, Associated Black Charities
Theatre (2nd Fl)
Core tools for influence, leadership, and community impact.
Block B · 12:50–1:45 PM
★ Resume Review with JohnEric Advento, Strategenius Available during Workshop Block B · Commons (4th Fl) · Drop in for a one-on-one resume review session.
Thriving, Not Surviving
Alexis Watson, St. Paul's School for Girls
Theatre (2nd Fl)
Creating space for Black educators to reconnect and move beyond survival toward purpose and impact.
Creating Connections
Lan Yao, St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
Practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms and strong professional communities.
Restorative Practice & Student Behavior Management
Hayes Davis & Shrijana Puri, Park School of Baltimore
Boardroom (4th Fl)
Moving from punitive systems to restorative, relationship-centered approaches.
What Is Excellence to a Robot?
Anjulee Bhalla, The Bryn Mawr School
Classroom (4th Fl)
Exploring AI through the lens of communities of color, ethics, and creative power.
Block C · 2:00–2:50 PM
Prioritizing Wholeness
Michael Tennant & Taaj Davis, Woodberry Forest School
Theatre (2nd Fl)
A restorative session offering tools and reflection to support resilience and authenticity.
Threads of Connection
Wordna Meskheniten, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Lewis Flex Room (1st Fl)
Centering shared stories and simple practices that deepen belonging.
Empowering Students
Ashley Edwards, The Park School of Baltimore
Boardroom (4th Fl)
Highlighting an assignment that centers student voice, agency, and innovation.
Landscape of Athletics
Jessy Morgan, Garrison Forest School
Classroom (4th Fl)
Exploring how athletics can promote access, representation, and belonging.
Essentials & Logistics
🅿️
Parking Park at PMI — the garage directly across the street from the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
🌙
Prayer Room Ramadan Observance
Conference Room · 2nd Fl
🚻
Single-Stall Restroom Located on the 2nd Floor
ℹ️
Help & Assistance Visit the MAECC team at the check-in table.
MAECC 2026 · Harboring Excellence Mid-Atlantic Educators of Color Conference · Baltimore, Maryland
This is brilliance. This is legacy. This is possibility.