The Florida Real Talk Coalition is comprised of leaders from from various advocacy, civil rights, faith, education, and community organizations from across the state of Florida who have united with one voice to advocate for education equity to help Black, Hispanic, English language learners, other-abled, low-income, and other underrepresented students succeed in school and have the opportunity to have a productive future.

Florida Real Talk Coalition Co-Chair / Florida PTA Vice President for Leadership Development

Carolyn Nelson-Goedert is an education and social justice advocate and the Florida PTA Vice President for Leadership Development. Carolyn serves as the Co-Chair of the Real Talk Coalition for Education Equity, representing Florida PTA. She is the immediate Past Chair of the Urban League of Greater Miami Executive Committee. Volunteering on several National PTA committees,…

NAACP Miami-Dade Branch Education Chair

Dannie McMillon is a compassionate and dedicated advocate who is concerned about issues that affect the quality of life for children, youth and their families. She is on a mission to educate, empower and engage families.  She gained much of her experience through her PTA involvement at the local, County Council, State, and National PTA…

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Florida Real Talk Coalition Policy Chair / Senior Strategist UnidosUS

Jared is Senior Strategist for UnidosUS. UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the…

Mari Corugedo

Mari Corugedo is the State of Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 1,000 LULAC councils nationwide.

Florida Real Talk Coalition Communications Chair / Florida Council of Churches

The Rev. Dr. Russell L. Meyer is the Executive Director of the Florida Council of Churches and Missional Pastor of the Lutheran Urban Parish of Tampa. He is the convener of the Florida Interfaith Climate Actions Network, now planning its sixth assembly for early 2020. He serves as community co-chair of the Suncoast Sea Level…

Florida Real Talk Coalition Co-Chair / State Convener for National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Salandra’s community work involves educating our youth in churches and on college campuses about why the labor movement is important and vital to all people. She educates them on why they need to become an activist in their work place (union or non -union shops).  Salandra serves as the State Convener and on the Board…