DYNAMIC PANEL DISCUSSION MEMBERS
Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez
Superintendent
Hartford Public Schools
Dr. Bulaong Ramiz,
a Black and Boricua Queer Muslim activist, educator, and mama who has dedicated her life to challenging and transforming institutional practices from upholding oppressive status quos to building communities rooted in equity, justice, and accountability. Dr. Ramiz works as a consultant supporting organizations to align their rhetoric and espoused values with their policies and practices and helps individuals build their power and capacity to transform their world.
Dr. Ramiz utilizes social media to further educate, offering social and political commentary and reading historical and present day texts from some of our generation's greatest thinkers, writers, and changemakers under her moniker @itsDrBu.
Dr. Bu holds a BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University, a MS in Counselor Education from Central Connecticut State University, and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas.
Mr. Malik Ramiz
Malik was a member of the United States Navy. He attended the Historical African Methodist Episcopal Zionist institution, Livingstone College, in Salisbury, North Carolina - one of the HBCUs. His major while attending Livingstone College was Biology pre-med, then he switched it to Sports Management with a focus in Sports Medicine and a minor in Business Administration. Additionally, he attended Tunxis Technical Community College and received an Associate of Science Degree. Immediately after receiving his associate degree he pursued his graduate degree. Malik entered the University of New Haven for a Master of Education degree. Once he received his Master Degree in Education he started working in the field of education. His first education job was in Windsor, Connecticut at Sage Park Middle School. After working a few years in Windsor he left Windsor Public Schools at the request of a friend. This particular friend of his recruited him to go down to New Haven and help start and open a new school. This school was Amistad Academy / Achievement First where Mr. Ramiz worked for 5 years. Malik wanted to give back to young black males like himself so he decided to go work inside the prisons. He ended up working for the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections and then moved to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Court Support Services at Bridgeport & Hartford Juvenile Detention Centers. Concurrently, while working for Juvenile Detention he pursued a second Masters Degree. The degree that he earned was a Masters in Social Work. Presently, Malik is working at the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center, and Hartford Public Schools. Additionally, Malik has pursued entrepreneurial ventures. He has established the following businesses: Ramiz’s Masonry and Landscaping, Muscular Therapeutic Network Massage Therapy & Personal Fitness Training, Positive Young Brothers Mentoring and Positive Young Sisters Mentoring, Global Enterprise Management Spectrum, TimBOOKtu Academic Achievement and Tutoring, and Counter Assault Protective Services. Mr. Ramiz is also involved in a multitude of community enrichment & upliftment endeavors to help improve the lives of young people, save the community from violence, and developing positive - strong male images. Malik has two children and one grandchild.