H. Richard Milner IV is Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. Milner is a researcher, scholar and leader of urban education and teacher education.

Kofi Lomotey is the Bardo Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. His research and publications focus on Blacks in higher education, urban education, Black principals and independent African-centered schools.