Erin Gruwell is an acclaimed teacher, author, and activist dedicated to championing equity and social justice. She first captured national attention through an ABC PrimeTime Live special with Connie
Chung, where she and her 150 students, known as the Freedom Writers, shared their powerful stories. These students, hailing from backgrounds filled with poverty, gang influence, and violence,
faced significant risks of dropping out due to the school-to-prison pipeline. However, under Erin's inspirational guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher
education. Their journey was chronicled in the 1999 book, "The Freedom Writers Diary," which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and highlighted their transformation from adversity to
triumph.

As the Freedom Writers celebrate their 30th anniversary, Erin’s story remains as impactful as ever. The book's success led to its adaptation into the major motion picture "Freedom Writers," starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank as Erin. The film amplified Erin's impact, and she has since leveraged her platform to further advocate for equity and inclusion through her non-profit organization, the Freedom Writers Foundation. ...

Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes has left an indelible legacy in the education community for over 30 years, particularly within California’s community colleges, where she has been a trailblazing leader for over 25 years. Throughout her career, her unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been her guiding star. Her visionary leadership and strategic focus have not only revolutionized the educational landscape but also driven significant economic and societal advancements, solidifying her status as a transformative force in education.

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As a first-generation, low-income student herself, Dr. Barnes intimately understands the myriad challenges that many of our students endure. From the outset, she discerned that it is the educational system that must undergo a paradigm shift to furnish our diverse student body with the opportunities they rightfully deserve. This profound dedication to our students has been the cornerstone of her leadership, resonating through every facet of her illustrious career. ...

Assemblymember Chris Ward was first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 to represent the 78th Assembly District, covering San Diego and El Cajon. He currently chairs the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and the Select Committee on Biotechnology and serves as Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. His legislative priorities include housing, homelessness, climate issues, the state budget, and water supply.

Before joining the Assembly, Ward served on the San Diego City Council, where he authored the city's Equal Pay Ordinance and chaired the Land Use and Housing Committee. He has also held leadership roles, such as Speaker pro-Tempore and Assistant Majority Leader. An advocate for his community, he has volunteered with the San Diego Community College District and served on various nonprofit boards. Ward holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University and lives in University Heights with his partner, Thom, and their two children.