Defining US producers are collaborating with educators from the New York City Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, and multiple other school districts and child-centered organizations. Experts from UCLA, NYU, Yale University, and Columbia University are also participating as key interviews in the documentary and/or serving as advisors for the initiative.
Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
Associate Professor of English Education Teachers College, Columbia University
Defining US
Dr. Tyrone Howard
Director, Black Male Institute (UCLA), Professor in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles,
Defining US
Tammie Workman
Former urban school and district leader, current CWK Educator in Chief & DU Producer
Defining US
Richard Haynes
Director of School Support (NYCDOE)
Defining US
Paul Forbes
Director of Partnerships (Defining US Network), DU Executive Producer, Former Executive Director of Educational Equity, Anti-Bias & Diversity (NYCDOE)
Defining US
Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre
Principal, Paige Elementary
Schenectady City School District
Defining USSchenectady City School District
Kim Adams
Program and Evaluation Specialist (NYCDOE), DU Consulting Producer
Defining US
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery
Chief Academic Officer (LAUSD)
Defining US
Dr. David Kirkland
Vice Dean of Equity, Belonging, and Community Action; Executive Director of NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools
Defining US