Gail L. Thompson, Ph.D. Illuminate Education Equity and Professional Development Specialist

Dr. Gail L. Thompson, an Illuminate Education Equity and Professional Development Specialist, is the former Fayetteville State University “Wells Fargo Endowed Professor of Education,” creator and former director of the “Black Men Teaching Program,” and former member of the California State Board of Education’s “African American Advisory Committee.” Dr. Thompson’s work has been published in many books, USA Today, other newspapers, and academic journals. She has appeared on PBS television’s Tony Brown’s Journal, other television programs, and radio programs. Dr. Thompson has served as a reviewer for academic journals and educational organizations, and has done presentations, keynote addresses, workshops, and consultant work throughout the U.S., two presentations in Canada, and one in Jamaica. Dr. Thompson taught at a public junior high school for three years, and at a public high school for 11 years. She created and implemented “The Literacy Club,” an afterschool reading incentive program for struggling readers at several schools. Dr. Thompson is married to Rufus, who is also an Illuminator and author, and they have three children, Dr. Nafissa Thompson-Spires, NaChe’ Thompson, a high school teacher & entrepreneur, Stephen Thompson, an executive with Target Stores, and grandsons Iveren & Isaiah.