Plenary Speakers at HOPE 2024 and HOPE 2025

The backstage pass videos include nationally renowned speakers, thought leaders, advocates, and student parent voices who bring diverse perspectives on education, access, economic mobility, and family success.

Speakers include:
(please note; titles listed below reflect postitions held at the time of the conference)

HOPE 2024

  • Grayhawk Perkins – United Houma Nation, Cultural Standard Bearer for Louisiana

  • Malajah Lopez – Generation Hope Scholar

  • Roberto J. Rodríguez – Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, U.S. Department of Education

  • Dr. Rochelle Ford – President, Dillard University

  • Carolyn Felton – Generation Hope Alumni

  • Gloria Riviera – ABC News Correspondent & Host, No One is Coming to Save Us

  • Lorraine Oyetubo – FamilyU Student Parent Fellow

  • Liliana Aquino – Generation Hope Alumni

  • Obinaya Brown – Generation Hope Scholar

  • Lauren Smith Brody – Founder, The Fifth Trimester; Author of The Fifth Trimester

  • Najah Mills – Generation Hope Scholar & FamilyU Student Parent Fellow

  • Regina Barnett-Tyler – Associate Vice President & Chief Student Officer, Virginia State University

  • Amber Angel – Program Officer, ECMC Foundation

  • Gabrielle Wyatt – Founder, The Highland Project

HOPE 2025

  • Kevin Platero – DC Scholar, Generation Hope

  • Raheem Jackson – Student Parent Fellow, Generation Hope

  • Ariel Ventura Lazo – DC Scholar Alum & Scholar Program Coordinator, Generation Hope

  • Grace Bastidas – VP & Editor-in-Chief, PARENTS

  • Elissa Nadworny – Correspondent, NPR

  • Fatima Goss Graves – President & CEO, National Women’s Law Center

  • Dr. Manica F. Ramos – Senior Research Scientist II, Child Trends

  • Furard Tate – Director of Entrepreneurship Center, Greater Washington Urban League

  • Celeste Ampaah – Student Parent Fellow, Howard Community College

  • Amber Angel – Program Officer, ECMC Foundation

  • Dr. Frances Villagran-Glover – President, Southeast College

  • Dr. Makola M. Abdullah – President, Virginia State University

  • Makayla Diles – NOLA Scholar, Delgado Community College

  • Alicia Price – Student Parent Advocacy Alliance

  • Rocelyn Alvaredo – Student Parent Advocacy Alliance & DC Scholar

  • Jehnya Wright – FamilyU Fellow