City of Montgomery, AL

Sen. Kamala Harris
United States Senator for California

In 2017, Kamala Harris was sworn in as a United States Senator for California, the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history.

Growing up in Oakland, Sen. Harris has spent her life fighting injustice and advocating for those who could not defend themselves. After earning an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. In 2003, she became the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. After two terms, she was elected as the first African-American and first woman to serve as California's Attorney General. In the Senate, her mission remains unchanged: fighting for the rights of all communities in California. Since taking office, she has introduced and cosponsored legislation to raise wages for working people, reform our broken criminal justice system, make healthcare a right for all Americans, address the substance abuse epidemic, support veterans and military families and expand access to childcare for working parents.

Steve Kerr
Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

Entering his sixth season as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr has guided the club through five of the most prolific seasons in NBA history with a list of accomplishments that includes three NBA championships, five-straight NBA Finals appearances, the NBA's single-season wins record (73), an NBA Coach of the Year award (2015-16) and the franchise's highest winning percentage over a five-year span. Kerr, who won five NBA championships during a 15-year playing career, now owns eight championships as either a player or coach, becoming the first to win three NBA titles as a player and three as a coach. Kerr owns 30 years of NBA experience as a player, coach, television analyst and front office executive, including a three-year stint (2007-10) as president of basketball operations and general manager for the Phoenix Suns.

Kerr earned a degree in general studies from Arizona in 1988 and serves on the board of directors for Peace Players International, an organization that uses basketball as a means to bridge cultural gaps in areas of conflict.

Mayor Steven Reed
City of Montgomery, Alabama

Steven L. Reed is the 57th mayor of the City of Montgomery.

As Montgomery County's first African American and youngest elected probate judge, he has expanded access to representation, improved facilities and modernized the office to better serve the community.

Mayor Reed has made drastic improvements to mental health services and the administration of other areas. In addition, he stood up for the rule of law in a legal challenge to former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore over marriage equality. Mayor Reed serves on the boards of the River Region United Way, the Metro Board of the Montgomery Area YMCA, Trustmark Bank and Valiant Cross Academy. He is also the moderator at Community Congregational United Church of Christ, as well as an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Kimberley Richards
The People's Institute for Survival & Beyond

Dr. Kimberley Richards' quest for learning and experiencing culture and different environments has taken her to study theater arts, education, fabric arts, international organizing, anti-racist practice, spiritual practice and more in The Gambia, West Africa; South Africa; London, England; Holland; Brazil; Puerto Rico; Canada; and almost every state in the US.

Dr. Richards is a graduate of Clark College in Atlanta where she majored in education and theater. She also holds a master's degree in education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and completed her doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh as a Lilly Endowment Fellow in 1995. She currently serves as interim executive and core trainer/regional organizer with the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond.

Daniel Hill
Pastor, Author of White Awake; White Lies; and 10:10: Life to the Fullest

Pastor Daniel Hill is the founding and senior pastor of River City Community Church located in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. The vision of River City is centered on the core values of worship, reconciliation and neighborhood development. Formed in 2003, River City longs to see increased spiritual renewal, as well as social and economic justice by demonstrating compassion and alleviating poverty as tangible expressions of the Kingdom of God.

Prior to founding River City, Hill was part of a series of dot.com startups in the 90s before serving for five years on the staff of Willow Creek Community Church in the suburbs of Chicago. Daniel earned his bachelor's degree in business from Purdue University and his master's in theology from Moody Bible Institute. He also holds a certificate in church-based community and economic development from Harvard Divinity School and is a Doctor of Ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Nate Burleson
Former NFL Player and Sports Commentator

Nate Burleson played 11 years in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. During his time as a Viking, Burleson reached over 1,000 receiving yards and is the only player in NFL history to have three punt returns of 90-or-more yards.

Burleson joined CBS Sports in May 2017 as a studio analyst for the CBS Television Network's pre-game show, "The NFL Today." In addition, he contributes to CBS Sports Network's Sunday pre-game show, "That Other Pregame Show." Burleson also serves as an NFL Network analyst on "Good Morning Football" and as a correspondent for the entertainment show, "Extra Extra."

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Burleson resides in New Jersey with his wife, Atoya, and three children, Nathaniel, Nehemiah and Mia Pearl.

Norman Wright
EVP/CCO, Optum

As executive vice president and chief customer officer at Optum, Norman is responsible for improving quality, service and performance across all customer interactions and channels.

Previously, Mr. Wright was responsible for leading global operations across Optum, delivering solutions grounded in affordability, global scale and quality.

Prior to joining Optum in 2013, Norman was the managing director of client experience for Citigroup's consumer operations in North America. Wright was also a partner with the consulting firm Accenture, where he led a practice in call center transformation for the financial services and retail industries. Before Accenture, he led customer care at Home Shopping Network. Norman also managed call center operations and technology at Fidelity Investments, GE Capital and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Norman has a bachelor's in political science from Swarthmore College. He currently serves on the United Health Foundation Board and Charitable Giving Committee, as well as the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities General Board.

Kevin Washington
President and CEO, YMCA of the USA

Kevin Washington became president and CEO of YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) on Feb. 1, 2015. He is the 14th person and first African American to lead the Y Movement in the U.S. A 41-year Y professional, Kevin is a widely-recognized and respected leader in the Movement and has a deep devotion to the Y's mission, cause and core values.

He came to Y-USA from the YMCA of Greater Boston, where he served as president and CEO from 2010 to 2014. There, he expanded membership and access by reducing rates and increasing diversity and engagement among the board of directors to reflect the community more accurately. Mr. Washington also implemented a childhood-education quality initiative that is still benefiting thousands of children and families throughout eastern Massachusetts.