Donna Y. Ford is a distinguished professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology the Ohio State University. Her research focuses on, among other subjects, the achievement gap; recruiting and retaining culturally different students in gifted education; multicultural curriculum and instruction, and African American family involvement.

She consults with school districts, and educational and legal organizations on such topics as gifted education under-representation and Advanced Placement, multicultural/urban education and counseling, and closing the achievement gap.

Previously, she was a professor at Vanderbilt University, where she co-founded the Scholar Identity Institute for Black Males. She is the author of several books, including 2017’s Gumbo for the Soul: Liberating Memoirs and Stories to Inspire Females of Color.

Expertise: Education, special education, youth of color, multicultural classroom practices, African American identity, African American family involvement, recruiting, retaining students of color in gifted education

Location: Columbus, Ohio

E-mail: ford.255@osu.edu, donnayford@gmail.com

Twitter: @donnayford