About Dr. Blackmon-Balogun
Dr. Ayanna Blackmon-Balogun is an educator, liberation scholar, and cultural strategist with over 30 years of experience spanning classroom instruction, literacy coaching, board governance, and district-level equity leadership. She currently serves as Director of Equity and Social Sciences in the Rialto Unified School District, where she leads systems change grounded in culturally responsive instruction, equity, and healing.
She holds a Doctorate in Educational Justice from the University of Redlands and is a widely published author, contributing to academic journals, devotionals, and edited volumes. As a consultant through A+ Educational Services, she partners with schools and organizations to advance literacy, equity, and CRRI practices. Her work as an international presenter includes appearances at AERA, CABE, CAAASA, and other leading conferences. She previously served as a Board Trustee for Fontana Unified School District and continues to support African American youth through her involvement with National Black Grad, which celebrates and invests in graduating seniors.
Dr. Blackmon-Balogun is the Founder and Executive Director of Emerging Beauty, Inc., a nonprofit that provides culturally grounded support to BIPOC girls and women through leadership development, community programs, and annual celebrations. She is also a Co-Founder of the Inland Empire Black Women’s Collective (IEBWC) and a proud member of The Links, Inc., National Council of Negro Women, and the Black Parent Alliance.
Her leadership centers intersectionality, Black women’s voices, decolonial frameworks, and energy care as tools for liberation. In 2023, she was coronated as a Chief in the Ikorodu Kingdom of Lagos, Nigeria, honoring her philanthropic and community contributions. She lives a full and joyful life alongside her husband of 21 years, Chief Lawal Imole 1 Ibrahim-Balogun, and their four children. In her personal time, she finds joy in reading, writing, traveling, and deep connection with others.
Her guiding philosophy:
“I do not study freedom; I practice it.”
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Author & Speaker
Thought-provoking keynotes, interactive workshops, and inspiring podcast discussions focused on culturally responsive teaching and advancing educational equity.
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Thought Leader & Educational Consultant
Empower schools and education leaders with equity-centered strategies and thought partnership that drive transformative change across culture, policy, and systems.
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Professional Development
Empower your team with tailored training sessions led by an expert in culturally relevant instruction and innovative school programs.
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Community Leadership & Empowerment
Drive change through grassroots leadership, coalition building, and programs that center the healing, power, and potential of Black women and girls.
Awards, Recognitions & Publications
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Woman of Distinction (2012, 2025)
Honored for leadership and contributions to the field of education.Educational and Community Impact Award (2024)
Presented by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Rho Chapter, at the 14th Annual Educators’ Prayer Brunch, in recognition of Dr. Blackmon-Balogun’s outstanding contributions to education and community leadership in the Rialto Unified School District.Teacher of the Year (2009)
Recognized for outstanding teaching and dedication to student success.Former Board Member, Fontana Unified School District
Bridging policy and practice through community-rooted educational governance.
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CABSE (2025) – "A Paradigm Shift in Summer Learning for Black Children" (Co-presenter at 9th Annual Conference)
National Summit for Courageous Conversations (2018) – "The Village is on Fire: What Parents Need to Know to Save the Village"
California Latino School Board Association (2017, 2018) – Using Black student voices to influence parent engagement and school policies
CAAASA (2016, 2017) – Presentations focused on parent engagement, Black student success, and equity in LCFF implementation
Keynote Speaker –
Black Graduation Recognition Ceremony (2018)
Sacred Sistahs, Inc. Awards Ceremony (2017)
AERA (Multiple Years) – Presenter and session chair on culturally responsive pedagogy and Black student engagement
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Planning Committee Member, A²MEND’s Biennial All-African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES), Ghana (2024–Present) – A global summit gathering 300+ educators to reshape education for the African Diaspora
Conference Director, Rialto Educational Excellence Conference (2021–Present) – Founder and lead facilitator of the district’s annual educator-led conference highlighting teacher-led innovation
Director of Equity and Social Sciences, Rialto Unified School District
Founder & Executive Director, Emerging Beauty, Inc.
Co-Founder, Inland Empire Black Women’s Collective
Equity Alliance Trainer (2010) – Specialized in creating culturally responsive educational contexts
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“No One’s Checking for Us, Sis”– A powerful reflection on the marginalization of Black women in education and the urgent need for visibility, affirmation, and change. (2023)
Contextualizing Critical Race Theory on Inclusive Education from a Scholar-Practitioner Perspective– Chapter 3 is a collaborative chapter exploring inclusive education through a CRT lens, rooted in scholar-practitioner experiences. (2023)
Improving Educational Outcomes for All Students - An article examining how the dual crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice exposed critical gaps in education and outlined four systemic priorities to improve student outcomes and equity in schools. (2022)
“Meeting the Achievement Needs of California’s African American Boys”
– A journal article examining strategies and systemic reforms needed to support African American boys in education. (2018)“Race Neutral Doesn’t Work: Black Males’ Achievement, Engagement, and School Climate Perceptions” – An article that challenges race-neutral policies by centering Black male students' voices and experiences in schools. (2018)
“Doing Well in Spite of the School”: How African American Students Perceive Achievement and Engagement – A qualitative study capturing Black students’ lived experiences navigating school systems post-LCFF implementation. (2017)
“Who We Are and How We Learn”– Contributed a chapter on using culturally relevant writing instruction to amplify student voice and engagement. (2016)
Zoe Life Inspired: A Daily Devotional– Contributing writer for this book of inspirational writings for spiritual reflection and personal growth across four annual editions. (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
The Journey to Understand the Influence of Culturally Relevant and Responsive Instruction in Writing with African American Students: A Case Study.–
Doctoral dissertation examining how culturally responsive writing instruction impacts African American students’ academic outcomes. (2011)Inland Empire Black Education Agenda– Co-author of this regional call to action outlining key priorities, disparities, and solutions to improve outcomes for Black students across the Inland Empire.
“Re-Thinking Safety: African American Females’ Perception of Safety in the 'Me Too' Era” – An article focused on young women and their perception of feeling safe or unsafe in public schools.
Global Perspective - African Centered Education
Transform Education with Dr. Blackmon-Balogun
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