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Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School
Friday, May 8, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
A conversation with author Dr. Melvin J. Brown, Superintendent in Residence at Defined, moderated by Dr. Baron Davis, Former Superintendent and Founder of the Noegenesis Group
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This edWebinar is a conversation with Dr. Melvin J. Brown, author of his new book, Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School, and Dr. Baron Davis, Former Superintendent and Founder of the Noegenesis Group.
In his book, Dr. Brown blends memoir and manifesto to expose the inequity that shapes too many students’ lives—and too many schools’ failures. From a childhood marked by poverty, resilience, and the unyielding love of a mother who refused to surrender to circumstance, Dr. Brown offers a deeply human window into what it means to grow up brilliant yet burdened. His story is proof that talent and potential are universal, even when opportunity is not.
Dr. Brown and Dr. Davis discuss the need for educators, policymakers, and community leaders to confront uncomfortable truths:
- How systems built on privilege continue to punish poverty
- How schools often misread behavior as defiance instead of distress
- How empathy, access, and high expectations can transform a child’s trajectory
This conversation is of interest to any educator who wants to reimagine schools, so all students have access to equitable education and opportunities to reach their potential.
About the Presenter
Dr. Melvin J. Brown serves as Superintendent in Residence at Defined, bringing decades of leadership experience in large K-12 systems. Drawing on his tenure as superintendent in school districts, he works to advance helping school systems scale career-connected learning from kindergarten through graduation. His work focuses on guiding district leaders to design and implement sustainable, systemwide pathways that prepare every student for lifelong success. He is also the President and CEO of Soul Vision, LLC, an equity-centered and growth-mindset-focused consulting organization that provides motivational and keynote speaking, educational consulting, and leadership development. He previously served as Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools (AL) and of the Reynoldsburg City Schools District in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, from 2017 to 2022.
A national advocate for STEM education, he emphasizes the need for community-wide collaboration in student preparation. His leadership focuses on the intersection of equity and technology, ensuring staff are trained in modern trends and students have access to robust wraparound support. An active member of the AASA, Dr. Brown is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and providing every child with the opportunity to reach their full potential through rigorous instruction. Dr. Brown is the author of Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School and is a co-author of STEM Century: It Takes a Village to Raise a 21st Century Graduate.
About the Moderator
Dr. Baron R. Davis is Senior Advisor at Digital Promise, where he champions cutting-edge solutions to address challenges like student absenteeism and rural economic mobility through collaborative innovation practices. Dr. Davis—formerly Superintendent of Richland School District Two—is a transformative educational leader, celebrated humanitarian, and innovative strategist with nearly three decades of experience driving meaningful change in K-12 education and beyond. Dr. Davis is the founder of the Noegenesis Group.
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