CREED's Mission

CREED centers students of color, inspires institutional change, & facilitates better educational practice, so we can transform the education system in North Carolina.

Our work primarily operates in three spheres: Research, Engagement and Implementation. Our theory of change prioritizes expert race-conscious research on North Carolina-specific education issues, raising the collective awareness of the general public while inspiring and shifting the work of educators as they alter practices and protocols to become more equitable.

Ensuring equitable education opportunity requires shifting the policy atmosphere and advocating for changes that are generational in their impact. CREED will continue to execute a rigorous research agenda that informs the call for transformation at the structural level for students in Pre-K, K-12, and post-secondary.

Our Team

James E. Ford

James is an award-winning educator and consultant on issues of equity in education. He is the Principal at Filling the Gap Educational Consultants, LLC. and was recently appointed by Gov. Cooper to serve as a member of the North Carolina State Board of Education, representing the Southwest Region. He is the former Program Director at the Public School Forum of North Carolina, an education think-tank and policy advocacy organization. 

Janeen Bryant

Janeen is a classroom educator turned advocate, Ms. Bryant is known widely as a facilitator and community-centered program developer both regionally and nationally. In 2015 as Regional Director: South, for Leadership for Educational Equity she directly engaged with teachers, parents, and community leaders to use their voice directly influencing decision-makers and ultimately changing the reality of our education system.