Anita Dharapuram, M.N.A. Anita Dharapuram is currently the Director of Operations at Rebuild The Dream, a 21st century progressive think tank that champions innovative solutions to fix the U.S. economy and uplift the next generation. In her role, Anita oversees the entire organization, maximizing resources and talent to ensure movements are not only built, but are successful. Anita has spent the last 15 years working for social, racial, and economic justice in the nonprofit sector in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has served as Executive Director for C.E.O. Women and Wardrobe for Opportunity. She also served as Chief Operating Officer for the Pleitez for LA Mayor campaign. Anita has served on the Advisory Board for ARSJ for five years.
Mayida Zaal, Ph.D.
Mayida Zaal, Ph.D. is a researcher, educator, and activist committed to creating transformative change in education to address issues of equity. She has worked with learners 3 to 62 years of age within public and private school settings in the United States and abroad. Dr. Zaal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University. She is the recipient of numerous awards including several National Science Foundation Fellowships and the American Association of University Women's American Fellowship. She conducts Participatory Action Research (PAR) with youth in New Jersey. Recently, she and a collaborative of youth and adult researchers completed a PAR study that asked questions about the capacity of urban schools to implement the new high school graduation requirements in the State of New Jersey. The findings will inform the implementation of the policy.
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." - Desmond Tutu