I'm a policy nerd, who proudly owns her nerd moniker, and likes all that's wonky in the K-12 education, criminal justice, juvenile, philanthropy and good government worlds of public policy and systems change. I believe democracy only works when a multitude of voices are engaged and have a hand in creating mutually beneficial social change. Sadly people of color, the poor and the young are often impacted the most yet engaged the least in how U.S. public policies are developed, implemented and reformed. I work hard in collaboration with others to make sure that disconnect is addressed and turned on its head. Until there is racial equity and racial justice there can be no equity, justice, or true democracy.