Our Team | A Long Talk

Our People

Leadership

The People Leading
the Charge

Chief Empowerment Officer

Kyle R. Williams

Kyle Williams is a leader. Whether leading his three sons into manhood, leading a community-based elementary school in Washington, D.C., leading the #1 youth basketball program in the country, or leading this incredible team at A Long Talk, he has always been a leader. Raised in Plainfield, NJ, the son of Artie B. and Jocelyn, is a child of Hip Hop and a servant of the community. As a professional educator, Kyle has amassed over 25 years teaching children and adults alike. Highlighted by his time at the Community Academy Public Charter school where, in 1998, he applied and interviewed to serve as a volunteer and was "coerced" into accepting a provisional teaching position instead. After six short years of service in the classroom and on the school's leadership team, he would be appointed as the school's third Academy Leader in 2004. Following his 17 year career at CAPCS, he began working with Discovery Education helping teachers and school leaders all over the country make the shift to becoming more technology savvy, 21st century educators. Change and progress through educational empowerment has always been at the heart of the work he has done. He brings that same focus and energy to the fight for social justice and racial reconciliation as the Chief Empowerment Officer and creator of "A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth."

President

Kamal Carter

Kamal Carter is a scientist, an activist, an educator and a management consultant. Kamal brings more than 25 years of corporate development and growth strategy experience. He has held multiple global leadership positions at leading companies. What he is most proud of is walking away from millions of dollars to serve as a high school chemistry teacher at an inner city school in Atlanta. For more than a decade, Mr. Carter has pioneered innovative strategies in education. He co-wrote a script for a PBS science show which he also stars in. He has been a National Institute of Health (NIH) Research Fellow and a member of the State of Georgia Superintendent's Teachers Advisory Council. Kamal graduated from Hampton University with a Biology Pre-Med degree. He turned down two full scholarships to medical school to pursue his passion in business, community development, and science education. Kamal Carter is chairman of the board of Step Ahead Scholars, Inc., a nonprofit he co-founded 10 years ago whose mission is to eradicate college access inequality.

Director, UK Expansion

Darcy Bourne

Darcy Bourne is a professional athlete, activist, and student. She represents the GB and England Women's Hockey Teams and previously attended Duke University, bringing unique experience living in both the UK and US. During summer 2020, a photograph of Darcy at Black Lives Matter protests holding a sign reading "Why is Ending Racism a Debate?" went viral, including being shared by Dr. Martin Luther King III. Since then, she has courageously leveraged her platform as an athlete and activist to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, serving as a role model to many. Darcy possesses extensive experience discussing equity, diversity, and inclusion topics. She has appeared on multiple news channels, documentaries, TV series, podcasts, radio programs, and spoken at schools and major events. Her Sociology degree from Nottingham University strengthens her expertise in these areas. She demonstrates entrepreneurial experience through co-founding Beyond Our Game, a diversity initiative empowering student-athletes of color.

Head of K–12 Division

Justin M. Jennings, Ed.D

Justin M. Jennings serves as the Head of the K–12 Division at A Long Talk, where he leads national initiatives that engage schools in anti-racism education, courageous conversations, and community transformation. A lifelong educator and equity-centered leader, he brings more than 25 years of experience in public education and systemic change to his work. Before joining A Long Talk, Mr. Jennings served as Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Youngstown City School District, overseeing more than 4,000 scholars across multiple schools and programs. His prior leadership roles in Michigan include Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Director of Special Education for Muskegon Public Schools, as well as principalships in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Ypsilanti. A former Purdue University basketball scholar-athlete, Mr. Jennings earned a Bachelor of Arts, three Master's Degrees, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership from Grand Valley State University. He also holds a National Superintendent Certification from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) at the University of Michigan. Deeply committed to anti-ignorance, educational equity, and leadership development, Mr. Jennings strives to empower educators and students to build inclusive communities and use their voices to drive lasting, transformative change. He is happily married to Dr. Sharonda Jennings and currently resides in Atlanta Georgia.

The Team