Donna Y. Ford, PhD, is Professor of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. Professor Ford conducts research primarily in gifted education and multicultural/urban education. She is the author/co-author of several books, including Reversing Underachievement Among Gifted Black Students, Multicultural Gifted Education, Gifted and advanced Black Students in School: An Anthology of Critical Works, In Search of the Dream: Designing Schools and Classrooms that Work for High Potential Students from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds, Diverse Learners with Exceptionalities: Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom and Teaching Culturally Diverse Gifted Students. 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.