Carla J. Davis, Marketing and Communications Director, Akron-Summit County Public Library - Carla is a communications professional with over 20 years of experience in public relations, journalism, and communications. She currently serves as the Marketing Communications Director of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, where she is responsible for planning and directing system-wide communications, implementing strategies for marketing new and existing services and programs, and developing marketing campaigns, social media and directing the creative/production staff. Prior to joining the Library, Carla worked in the newsroom at the Akron Beacon Journal. Prior to that assignment, she developed ABJ promotional campaigns, including one for the Pulitzer Prize-winning year-long series, A Question of Color. The newspaper received the John S. Knight Gold Medal in 1994 for Meritorious Public Service. Carla is the owner of Carla Davis Communications, a strategic communications business, and Carla Davis Music. She has a passion for women’s and human rights issues, clinical counseling, and music. She has donated her singing abilities and voiceover talent for many worthwhile causes. Carla is a graduate of the University of Akron with a B.A. in Communications and Ashland University (Ashland Theological Seminary) with an M.A. in Pastoral Clinical Counseling. She also works at a private psychological office in Summit County. She resides in NEO with her family, and enjoys traveling, reading, music and spending time with friends and family. The beach is her happy place, this side of Heaven.

Ranti Junus, Systems Librarian for Electronic Resources, Michigan State University Libraries - Ranti's work includes supporting the design, access organization, and support in technical and access issues related to electronic resources including purchased databases, the catalog, and other digital resources. Her interests include usability & accessibility (especially for persons with disabilities), open source and knowledge management. Ranti is also the subject librarian for Library & Information Science collection and the library liaison for MSU Museum Studies program. She enjoys listening to prog-rock, blues, jazz, and classic.

Erik Ponder, African and African American Studies Librarian, Michigan State University Libraries - His area of interests are southern African contemporary politics, history, and popular culture. He has traveled extensively throughout the African continent. In 1994, he was an international election observer for the historic democratic elections in South Africa. He has collected ephemera from Africa in response to the Obama presidency. More recently, he has collected Black Lives Matter protest posters in Washington DC. Erik has also worked extensively in the Digital Humanities combining his interests in Africa and digital scholarship.

Brett Rohlwing, Branch Manager, Milwaukee Public Library, Martin Luther King Branch - Brett has worked for the Milwaukee Public Library system for 10 years in a variety of roles and subject areas. He earned both his Bachelor’s Degree (1994) and MLIS (2009) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Planning for and working during the annual MLK Birthday Celebrations have been the most rewarding parts of his entire professional life.

Joy Zander, Children's Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library, Martin Luther King Branch - Joy has dedicated her career to serving young people for over 18 years in the Milwaukee Public Library system. Currently, she is stationed at the Martin Luther King Library branch. Born and raised in Milwaukee, she earned her BA from Marquette University and MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Without a doubt, she is passionate about reading, creating meaningful programs, engaging communities and most importantly, helping patrons meet their goals. Joy and her husband, Shondell, have 5 children and enjoy making their community a better place.