KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Culinary Historian & Author of "Rice: a Savor the South cookbook" (Savor the South Cookbooks)

Newbery Medal-Winning Author of "Number the Stars" and "The Giver"

Poet, Educator & Best-Selling Author

Writer & Social Activist Known for Her Work on Issues of Race & Identity; Author of "So You Want to Talk About Race"

Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker; Bestselling Author of Historical & Transcultural Novels and Memoirs

New York Best-Selling Novelist of "The Ghost Bride" & "The Night Tiger"

Poet, Educator, Publisher, Emmy Award Winning Producer & New York Times Bestselling Author Known for "The Crossover"

The US Army's First Openly Trans Soldier

CNN & ESPN Columnist; Celebrated Voice on Sports, Race & Gay Rights

Acclaimed Journalist Known for Being Detained in North Korea; Host of "E! Investigates;" Co-Author of "Somewhere Inside"

Founder & Executive Director of the Freedom Writers Foundation; Education Reform Advocate

Author of "Heads of the Colored People"

World-Famous Animal Scientist, Autism Self-Advocate & Author of "Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism"

Award-Winning Author of "Halsey Street" & "What’s Mine and Yours"

Stand-Up Comedian & Actor, Best Known for "Mean Girls"

Transgender Activist; National Face of Transgender Student Rights

Feminist, Social Activist, Professor & Writer

Attorney, Author & LGBTQ Rights Activist; Motivational Disability Speaker; Founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition

Gender Non-Conforming Writer, Performance Artist, LGBTQ Rights Activist

Transgender Activist, Actor & TED Resident