Manuwella Allen is a 24 year teaching veteran who has been a tireless advocate for students with special needs, as well as a champion for racial and gender equity justice in K-12 education. She has facilitated ethnic girls studies courses, Black Student Unions, and has been a vocal critic of Title IX implementation issues. She has served for years in her top level teacher union leadership, as well as in the black women's caucus of the California Teachers Association. She is currently leading her district’s efforts to bring a social justice focus into the elementary education level.