Intergenerational Women of Color Speak Out about Democracy

Cheryl B. Gittens, EdD, is the Clinton Foundation’s Senior Director of Learning Programs and Partnerships at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark. Dr. Gittens oversees the creation and execution of the Clinton Center’s educational and cultural programmatic agenda. She focuses on developing inclusive and equitable programs that are responsive to the needs of the Clinton Center’s community, partners and visitors and strategically integrate principals from President Clinton’s lifetime of public service and the ongoing work of the Clinton Foundation. She also directs data-driven processes to maximize program efficiency and impact.

Most recently, Gittens served as the Associate Vice Provost of Faculty and Staff Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she led the strategic direction and implementation of administrative development initiatives for university faculty and staff. During her tenure at UW, she also served as the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Diversity and Scholarship Programs and then Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer.

Before joining UW-Madison, Gittens led strategic K-18 educational initiatives as the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. Before the Boys and Girls Club, Gittens had a track record of advancing student success at several higher education institutions, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Northern Virginia Community College.

She earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration at George Washington University and Social Work degrees from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings is Professor Emerita and former Kellner Family Distinguished Professor in Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and was Faculty Affiliate in the Departments of Educational Policy Studies, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis and Afro American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the Immediate Past President of the National Academy of Education, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and a Fellow of the British Academy. She was the 2005--2006 president of the American Educational Research Association. Ladson-Billings’ research examines the pedagogical practices of teachers who are successful with African American students.

State Representative Francesca Hong made history when she was elected as Wisconsin's first Asian American state legislator. She is a professional chef and restaurant owner. Her legislative priorities include the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, Healthy School Meals for All and building a StronCare Economy for working families. 

Hong works to build an inclusive and accessible government the people of Wisconsin deserve, one that honors the potential of all our communities and comprehensively supports resourcing their needs to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to thrive and lead. 

Sophia Voelker is a self-taught artist who was born in San Jose, Calif. For much of her art career, she has focused on creating purposeful, thought-provoking work with a mindful, aesthetically designed approach, whether humorous or calming. Some events in her life are covered in her artwork in such a manner. The mediums she uses in most of her pieces are acrylic on canvas, driftwood, repurposed glass and drywall mud. These choices in materials allow her to better express a specific topic she needs to create.

Sofia Garcia Garbuno, from the Chicagoland area and is currently pursuing a Master's in Higher Education through the Education Leadership & Policy Analysis (ELPA) Department in the School of Education. Sofia earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as two certificates in Chicano/Latine Studies and Gender & Women's Studies. Sofia is committed to educational reform and inclusivity, co-facilitating the MSAN Intersectional Social Justice Collaborative for youth, as well as currently being a Research Associate for the Wisconsin Equity and Inclusion (Wei) LAB.