Opening Session Keynote Speaker: Maria HinojosaAs a reporter who was the first Latina in many newsrooms, Maria Hinojosa dreamt of a space where she could create independent, multimedia journalism that explores and gives a critical voice to the diverse American experience. She made that dream a reality in 2010 when she created Futuro Media, an independent, nonprofit newsroom based in Harlem, New York City, with the mission to create multimedia content from a POC perspective. Futuro does this in the service of empowering people to navigate the complexities of an increasingly diverse and connected world. Hinojosa’s Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast “Suave” focuses on her relationship with David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez, in addition to telling the story of thousands of other people sentenced to die in prison for a crime they committed as a minor. “Suave” is gut-wrenching, deeply personal and full of heart.
As the anchor and executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning show “Latino USA,” distributed by NPR, as well as co-host of “In The Thick,” the Futuro Media’s award-winning political podcast, Hinojosa has informed millions about the changing cultural and political landscape in America and abroad. Her new book, “Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America,” Hinojosa tells the story of immigration in America through her family’s experiences and decades of reporting, painting an unflinching portrait of a country in crisis. She is also a contributor to the long-running, award-winning news program CBS Sunday Morning and a MSNBC contributor.
Hinojosa’s nearly 30-year career as an award-winning journalist includes reporting for PBS, CBS, WNBC, CNN, NPR and anchoring the Emmy Award-winning talk show from WGBH Maria Hinojosa: One-on-One. She is the author of two books and has won dozens of awards, including: four Emmys, the John Chancellor Award, the Studs Terkel Community Media Award, two Robert F. Kennedy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club and the Ruben Salazar Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAHJ. She has been honored with her own day in October in New York City and has been recognized by People En Español as one of the 25 most powerful Latina women. Additionally, Hinojosa was the first Latina to anchor a PBS FRONTLINE report: “Lost in Detention,” which aired in October 2011 and was the first to explore abuse at immigrant detention facilities, garnering attention from Capitol Hill as well as both the mainstream and Spanish-language media.
As a reporter for NPR, Hinojosa was among the first to report on youth violence in urban communities on a national scale. During her eight years as CNN’s urban affairs correspondent, Hinojosa often took viewers into communities rarely shown on television and continued that work longform on Now on PBS. At Futuro Media, Hinojosa continues to bring attention to experiences and points of view that are often overlooked or underreported in mainstream media, all while mentoring the next generation of diverse journalists to delve into authentic and nuanced stories. In 2018, she was a Fellow at Shorenstein Center at the Harvard Kennedy School and is a frequent speaker across the country. In 2019, she was named the inaugural Distinguished Journalist in Residence at her Alma Mater, Barnard College. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
Diversity Session Speaker: Dr. Jennifer NorrellDr. Jennifer Norrell has served as superintendent for East Aurora School District 131 since 2018. Norrell was named 2022 Superintendent of the Year for Illinois’ largest region of Kishwaukee.
Serving as the first female superintendent in 180 years in the State of Illinois’ oldest school district and the first African American female superintendent in Kane County, she leads the Pre-K–12th grade district with equity-focused leadership and proudly implements the only districtwide dual language program in Illinois.
In over 25 years, Norrell has served in many roles including teacher, school and district leader for high school, and Pre-K–12th grade unit school districts. She also served as district liaison for Illinois, overseeing underperforming districts across the state through a partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the American Institute for Research (AIR). Norrell also served many years as university faculty for Saint Xavier University and Governors State University. In her role as leadership and curriculum consultant, Norrell has supported improvement efforts and mentored educators for districts including Dallas ISD, Indianapolis and Atlanta Public Schools, and school principals in Chicago Public Schools. She also presents at numerous State, national, and regional conferences including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), U.S. Department of Education ESEA Conference, College Board Forum, and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
Norrell, a 2021 Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Honoree, serves on the College Board’s National Superintendents Advisory Council, Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI) as an ED Leader, Midwest Suburban Superintendents Association (MSSA), and other state and national organizations. In the fall of 2022, Dr. Norrell was elected nationally as a Trustee for the College Board for a four-year term.
Norrell earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, a master’s of education from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, and a doctorate of education and superintendent certification from Loyola University Chicago.
Stay tuned for more exciting featured speaker announcements!