“The Keys to Success: Educating, Empowering, Excelling”
Sponsored by Mississippi College Dyslexia Education and Evaluation Center, Mississippi School of Education and Human Sciences, and Mississippi Chapter of ALTA.
This annual conference provides insights, research, and resources for dyslexia support and information. The conference provides an opportunity for all interested individuals: academic language therapists, educators, administrators, parents, college students, early career and veteran professionals to learn, network, and acquire essential tools for empowering individuals with dyslexia to lead successful lives. The conference includes morning and afternoon keynote speakers followed by concurrent breakout sessions.
Thursday’s Keynote Speakers
Kari Kurto is the National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League. She directs all work related to The Reading League Compass and supports work related to English Learners and Emergent Bilinguals, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), the Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines and Navigation Reports, Educator Preparation Program Partnerships, and runs communities of practice for state education agencies and faculty from educator preparation programs seeking to implement evidence-aligned practices. Kari is a member of The Path Forward advisory group and has presented to professional organizations and several state departments of education. She formerly worked as a Literacy Specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Education where she led statewide efforts to implement the Rhode Island Right to Read Act.. Kari is an Orton Gillingham practitioner who worked at Middlebridge School in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and Rawson Saunders School in Austin, Texas. Before her career in education, Kari worked as a Casting Director in Los Angeles. She and her three wonderful children live in southern Rhode Island.
Dr. LaKeisha Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Clinician, and veteran of the United States Army, where she served as a Military Intelligence Officer. With 17 years of experience in behavioral health, she has led at every level of care from community-based services to residential treatment, bringing a trauma-informed, systems-focused approach.
Currently serving as the Clinical Director at Canopy Children’s Solutions’ CARES Center, Dr. Davis oversees the implementation of evidence-based clinical programming emphasizing fidelity, relational care, and measurable outcomes. She is the architect of the BEACON Clinical Model, a strength-based, hope-centered framework used to guide youth with complex trauma toward emotional regulation and lasting recovery. Her leadership has shaped policy, guided direct care practices, and transformed clinical culture across multiple states and settings.
Dr. Davis holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Doctorate of Professional Counseling from Mississippi College, where she was inducted into the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society. She is a trainer, consultant, and speaker in both clinical and administrative arenas. Her background includes expertise in Medicaid systems, managed care, and collaborative work with school systems and law enforcement. She speaks on topics such as trauma-informed leadership, clinical supervision, behavior modification in youth care, mental health equity, and transforming organizational culture through hope-centered systems.
Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. Davis is an active member of her church and a proud mother to her son. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and hosting small-group gatherings filled with laughter, music, and community. Her commitment to personal and professional integrity is evident in every role she undertakes whether she's designing therapeutic frameworks, mentoring young professionals, or inspiring audiences from the stage.
Dr. Davis brings a unique blend of structure, strategy, and soul to her work and her words. Her vision: to equip others to lead with compassion, build systems that heal, and foster spaces where both youth and caregivers can thrive.
Friday’s Keynote Speakers
Ameer Baraka is an award-winning, Daytime Emmy-nominated actor, celebrated author, dyslexia advocate, youth mentor, and prison coach. Born into humble beginnings in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ameer’s early life was marked by challenges, leading him in and out of the prison system as a youth. Diagnosed with dyslexia in his mid-twenties while incarcerated, Ameer overcame illiteracy and discovered the transformative power of education—a pivotal experience that shaped his mission to uplift and inspire others.
Ameer has forged a successful acting career, currently on BET’s hit show ZATIMA, where he plays the compelling role of Jeremiah. His credits include starring in productions such as American Horror Story: Coven, Tales of the Walking Dead, and A House Divided. He has shared the screen with Hollywood legends such as Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Eddie Griffin, and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, earning a reputation for delivering captivating performances. His journey from hardship to stardom is as inspiring as the roles he portrays.
Beyond the screen, Ameer Baraka has dedicated his life to empowering at-risk youth, especially those in underserved communities. Through mentorship programs, he guides young people away from crime and toward education, while also working with incarcerated youth to teach life skills and instill hope for a better future.
Ameer’s advocacy has reached national and international platforms. He testified before the U.S. Senate, sharing his powerful story to raise awareness about dyslexia and its societal impact. Additionally, he has spoken at Harvard University, inspiring audiences with his journey of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of literacy.
His work and story have been featured in numerous prominent publications, including Forbes, where his advocacy for dyslexia awareness and community support was spotlighted. His life has also been covered by outlets like ABC News and BET, amplifying his voice as a leader and changemaker. His appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s Blackboard Wars further highlighted his dedication to improving education and opportunities for youth in New Orleans.
Kristen Wynn, Head of AIM Institute for Learning and Research Former State Literacy Director (K-12), Mississippi Department of Education Kristen Wynn’s service in the field of education spans over 19 years, marked by a steadfast commitment to ensuring equitable access for all students to effective literacy instruction, highly qualified teachers, and high-quality instructional materials. Stepping into her role as Head of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research in July 2024, Ms. Wynn now leads bold initiatives to advance and improve literacy achievement through research partnerships, effective implementation, and transformative professional learning. Her leadership builds on a distinguished career devoted to improving student outcomes and empowering educators.
Ms. Wynn’s classroom experience includes teaching 1st and 2nd grade and serving as a Kindergarten through 5th grade Intervention Specialist. She has also spent several years mentoring new teachers. At the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), she served as a literacy coach, Regional Literacy Coordinator, Assistant State Literacy Coordinator, and as the State Literacy Director from October 2019 through July 2024. In these roles, she spearheaded efforts to improve literacy outcomes in schools and districts across Mississippi, co-creating several professional development trainings and developing key initiatives such as Mississippi’s Emerging Science of Reading School Recognition Program and Mississippi’s Literacy Leadership Network (MSLL).
Notable achievements include co-producing the MDE’s “Literacy Focus of the Month in Action” instructional videos and leading the development of Writing Galleries to enhance rigor and consistency in K-6 writing instruction. During her tenure, Mississippi achieved historic gains in literacy, culminating in the state’s recognition as one of the top-performing states in the nation for 4th grade reading on the 2024 and 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Ms. Wynn has also been an active member of several influential committees and task forces, including the Mississippi Reading Licensure Task Force, the Mississippi Reading Panel, the Higher Ed Literacy Council (HELC), the Governor’s Task Force for Teacher Preparation in Early Literacy Instruction, and the advisory board for the Mississippi Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Through her leadership at AIM Institute, Kristen Wynn continues to champion excellence in literacy education, fostering collaboration and innovation to address the evolving needs of students and educators.
All registration and payment will be made online through Mississippi College. The conference cost is $275 for both days, $150 for Thursday, and $150 for Friday.
Registration ends on September 12, 2025.
If you have any questions, you may contact Jan Hankins at dyslexia@mc.edu or Brooke Maier at bmaier@mc.edu.