About the Presenters

Dr. Melvin Brown is the current Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools in Alabama. Dr. Brown has 25 years of school administrative experience. He has served as Superintendent in Residence and Visiting Professor at The Ohio State University. Formerly, he served as the Deputy Superintendent for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District and prior to that as its Director of Human Resources. He also has served as Regional Vice President for Mosaica Education, Inc. and as an Associate Superintendent for Prince William County Schools in the state of Virginia. Additionally, he has six years of experience as an elementary school principal and two years of experience as a middle school principal. His non-administrative experiences include teaching middle school language arts, teaching high school English, and coaching track and boys’ basketball. Dr. Brown holds an Ed.D. in educational studies, educational administration, from The Ohio State University. He also holds a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and a bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil has served as the Superintendent of Schools of the Uniondale Union Free School District since July 2021, where she is responsible for the education and welfare of over 6,400 students and manages an annual operating budget of over $230 million. Dr. Darrisaw-Akil is known as an impassioned educator who believes in authentic leadership and unlocking the genius residing in every child. Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Darrisaw-Akil served as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Program and Policy at the Brentwood School District. She is also the founding Principal of the Academy of Urban Planning High School in Brooklyn, New York. Additional professional roles include Executive Director, Office of School Programs and Partnerships at the New York City Department of Education, adjunct lecturer at Medgar Evers College and Stony Brook University, and leadership coach. Dr. Darrisaw-Akil has been recognized for her work with first-generation college students, restorative justice programs, and for establishing the New York State Department of Education recognized My Brother’s Keeper Communities in two school districts.

Dr. Danny Merck, Superintendent of the School District of Pickens County, has over 24 years of experience as an educator in South Carolina. Dr. Merck also has experience as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Prior to being named Superintendent, Dr. Merck was Principal at DW Daniel High School. Before that role he served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Administration, overseeing principals, finance, alternative education, food service, and student services. Dr. Merck received a B.A. in business economics from Wofford College, his teaching certification from Southern Wesleyan University, an M.S.S. in sports management from the U.S. Sports Academy, an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Superintendent Certification from Clemson University.

Justin Jennings served as Superintendent for the Youngstown (Ohio) City Schools, where he was instrumental in working with local business and policy leaders to serve more than 4,000 students in five elementary, three middle, and three high schools, including students in an alternative school and a virtual academy. Prior to his role as Superintendent, Justin was Chief Executive Officer of the district. Justin came to Youngstown from Muskegon (Michigan) Public Schools, where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Director of Special Education. Earlier in his career, Justin held assistant principal and head principal roles at Michigan public school districts in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Ypsilanti. He has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, three master’s degrees from Grand Valley State University, and is currently completing his doctoral dissertation from the University of Michigan.