Kimberly Allred
ELA Teacher | St. Louis Voices Academy

Kimberly is a St. Louis native and lifelong learner who cares deeply about educational equity in general, but especially within the city of St. Louis. She was born and raised on the Northside of the city, and it baffled her that she got bused 45 minutes away from home to get a “better” education. These years sparked her curiosity towards the reasons for the differences (perceived and realistic) between her education and the education of her peers who went to school in her neighborhood. She would love to be a part of a dynamic positive shift in this city!

Kimberly has spent the last 12 years teaching, with time spent in Nashville, Atlanta, and now, St. Louis, MO. She is excited and honored to be a part of a sophisticated, educational think tank whose purpose is to examine issues through a focus-based lens. She looks forward to putting her stamp on a positive change for her hometown.

Joe Alway
Founder | Multicultural Arts Foundation of St. Louis

For 33 years, Joe nurtured talents as a Performing Arts educator. He honed his skills in the Bronx, NY, and briefly lived in Puerto Rico where he performed for royalty – King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain – during their 1987 visit to the island.

Joe found his artistic home in Los Angeles, California, where he thrived as an entertainer while teaching. He opened FAMA International, an actors agency for minorities, has written multiple theatrical productions and is preparing to direct several documentaries with his Cross-Cultural Film-Doc production company.

Additionally, Joe fosters positive change with his anti-bullying program ‘Bullied No-More.’ His advocacy extended to humanitarian efforts, gathering resources for underserved children. This commitment led him to adopt two sons, transforming his compassion into action.

Joe advocates for human rights, emphasizing the transformative power of education through the arts. He continues speaking on education and resources for dyslexia and dyscalculia. In 2021, he founded the non-profit Multicultural Arts Foundation of Saint Louis, a platform fostering diversity and creativity, where he is working on opening the Multicultural Academy & Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

Laura Linck
History Dept. Co-Chair | Kairos Academy

Laura is a high school history teacher and Co-Department Chair at Kairos Academies where she strives to create experiential learning opportunities for her students to bring understanding and context to history. She believes that everything we do must benefit the students first and foremost.

Laura began her education career as an AmeriCorps member in 2017 where she worked in college and post secondary career planning in St. Louis. Since then, Laura has worked to offer new perspectives in education, pushing for sustainable changes that reimagine education for schools and students.

Laura ultimately plans to work in curriculum development to create accessible and equitable classes for all students. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to concerts, and working on her second publication.

Dan McCready
Director, Data and Compliance| KIPP: St. Louis

Dan McCready is the Director of Data & Compliance at KIPP St. Louis. This is his 7th year at KIPP St. Louis and his 10th year in Education. He was a Teach For America Corps Member in Southwest Ohio prior to coming to St. Louis where he served as the Social Worker and Assistant School Leader of Operations at KIPP Victory Academy until moving to the Regional Operations Team in his current capacity.

Dan attended Denison University for his bachelor’s degree and Washington University in St. Louis for his graduate degree. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, Sophie, and their daughter, Mila.

Destiny Reddick
Asst. School Leader, Instruction| KIPP Wonder Academy

CEO| Redefine the Pipeline

Dr. Destiny Reddick is a nationally recognized leader in educational equity, anti-racism, and assessment, and brings 17 years of K-12 and higher education experience, focusing on traditionally underserved schools, encompassing roles from school teacher to district curriculum leader. She recently authored a groundbreaking instructional framework for an urban school district, emphasizing research-based instructional practices rooted in anti-racism and social-emotional support. As CEO/Founder of Redefine the Pipeline, LLC, coined for the school-to-prison pipeline, Reddick provides coaching/consulting for organizations to support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism.

Reddick is a co-editor and author of an upcoming book spotlighting the experiences of Black women in education leadership. Recognized by Forbes BLK and inducted into the National Honor Society of Leadership & Success, Reddick holds a doctorate in teacher leadership and multiple master’s degrees, and consults nationally for Solution Tree. Her accolades include the President’s Award for Strategic Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion, Power 100 Honoree, Who’s Who Diversity in Color Honoree, Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Missouri Beginning Teacher, and Leona Korol Award for Professional Promise, to name a few.

Christina Salmo
Instructional Coach| KIPP Wisdom Academy

Christina is a St. Louis Native and is currently in her 10th year in Education. She is currently getting her Doctorate from Maryville University in Teacher leadership. She is a K-4 Reading Interventionist and Instructional Coach at Kipp Wisdom Academy.

Christina is also a trainer with Teach For America’s IGNITE program and a passionate educator who wants to transform education and see equity and equality for children by working towards seeking a change in education and sharing the importance and joy of Literacy within Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Demetrius Upchurch
Director, New Teacher Development | Atlas Public Schools

A native of Saint Louis, Demetrius D. Upchurch, Sr is an experienced educator committed to equity and social justice. Demetrius has served in multiple roles across the country as classroom and school leader, taking those lessons and enriching his praxis. He brought his talent back to Saint Louis to his home district of Normandy Schools Collaborative as Assistant Principal. As a first generation college graduate from an underserved community, he is intimately connected to the economic implications of equitable educational opportunities and outcomes.

Demetrius received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University and graduate degrees from University of Illinois – Chicago and Missouri Baptist University. When not at work, you can find him with his wife of 15 years, Bianca and his two children, Nacir and DJ at one of their many activities. Fatherhood is one of the most fulfilling aspects of his life next to singing; Demetrius is also an alumnus of the Opera Theater of Saint Louis Artist-in-Training program. Creep by Radiohead is one of Demetrius’s go to Karaoke songs.

Darius Williams
Director of Community | Kairos Academy

Dr. Darius L. Williams is a Christian, husband, and father first, then an educator, public speaker, social advocate, consultant, faith leader, and poet hailing from Hampton Roads, VA. He’s dedicated his life to serving others by working to ensure disenfranchised voices are heard and unknown dreams are actualized. He’s passionate about racial and economic injustice, mental health, community development, and equipping people to self-advocate — particularly as it intersects with educational inequities that impact the agency of today’s youth.

Darius’ accomplishments include writing public policy, keynoting speeches, performing spoken word, joining panel discussions, presenting at conferences, running a non-profit, publishing academic research, developing award-winning programs, and organizing various speak-outs, marches, workshops, and critical conversations. Today, his work for equity continues through being fully invested in mentorship, ministerial work, community service, and creating transformative experiences for students and families as the Directory of Community at Kairos Academies in St. Louis.

Brianna Willis
History Dept. Co-Chair | Kairos Academy

Brianna has been a history teacher at Kairos Academies for three years. Having started teaching 5th grade, she is now the History Department Co-Chair at the high school.

Beyond having a passion for rigorous academic curriculum development and innovative instruction, Briana has extensive experience in community organizing and has she’s led various programs focused on teen empowerment, advocacy, and restorative justice.

Brianna earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Murray State University and a Masters in International Relations from Webster University.