Keynote Speaker - Dr. Terrell Strayhorn
Dr. Terrell Strayhorn is one of the most prolific and influential scholars in the fields of education, psychology, and the academic study of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
He is President and CEO of Do Good Work Consulting Group, a minority-owned business that partners with hundreds of colleges, universities, corporations, and agencies each year to enhance culture, build inclusive environments, and boost belonging in ways that raise morale, increase retention, improve people’s journey, and help organizations hit their bottom line. He’s co-host of the podcast Do Good Work on Spotify and a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, Thrive Global, AllBusiness, and Psychology Today.
Strayhorn is Professor of Education and Psychology, Director of Research in the Center for the Study of HBCUs, and Principal Investigator of The Belonging Lab at Virginia Union University, where he also serves as Associate Provost for Faculty Development. Connect with him on X, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
The Opening General Session is made possible by the generous support of Today’s Business Solutions (TBS).
President's Program Speaker - Dilla
Chicago historian Shermann Thomas, affectionately known as Dilla, is a fascinating blend of modern historian, cultural worker, and content creator. Dilla is passionate about and well-versed in Chicago's history, architecture, and overall culture. He brings the city to life through captivating storytelling and insider knowledge. Featured in Chicago Emmy award-winning programming, this self-taught historian was awarded the City of Chicago's Tourism Ambassador of the Year by Choose Chicago. Public Narrative has named Dilla the 2022 Studs Terkel Uplifting Voice recipient. The Chicago Public Library has awarded Dilla the prestigious 21st Century Award for his recent achievements in promoting Chicago to the world.
Through his social media account, Dilla has made over 400 videos highlighting the stories of Chicago, with more than 20 million views. He has amassed a following of over 300,000 followers across all platforms and has been featured in all manner of Chicago media. He has also appeared nationally on The Today Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show and has been written about in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and several international publications. Dilla has presented Chicago history lessons and lectures to institutions such as the University of Chicago, LaSalle University (PA), Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and several Chicago Community Colleges network partners. Dilla is a proud lifelong resident of Chicago's South Side. He lives by the saying that "everything dope about America comes from Chicago."
The President's Program is made possible by the generous support of Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).
Youth Services Forum Breakfast Speaker - Wendy Xu
Wendy Xu is a bestselling, award-nominated Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist. She is the creator of Infinity Particle, Tidesong, and co-creator of Mooncakes, a young adult fantasy graphic novel. Her work has been featured in various places on the internet including Catapult, Barnes & Noble Sci-fi/Fantasy, and Tor.com. She loves obsessing over the perfect line, making matcha lattes, and art history.
Xu is a 2026 iREAD featured artist for the theme “Plant A Seed, Read.”
Wendy Xu’s appearance is presented by the Youth Services Forum and made possible by the generous support of iREAD.
IACRL Luncheon Speaker - April Anderson-Zorn
April K. Anderson-Zorn is an associate professor and University Archivist at Illinois State University. Anderson-Zorn holds an MA in History from the University of Central Florida, an MLIS from Florida State University, maintains a Digital Archives Specialist certificate through the Society of American Archivists (SAA), and is a certified archivist through the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Anderson-Zorn is active in SAA and the Midwest Archives Conference, advocating mental health awareness and representation for archives professionals. Additionally, her research focuses on women's history in the library and archives professions and explores unique outreach initiatives for hard-to-access repositories.
Hosted by the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL).
DiversiTEA Closing Keynote Speaker - Roy Kinsey
Roy Kinsey is a Chicago-based rapper, librarian, and the founder of Rapbrary, an innovative platform dedicated to preserving hip-hop as a literary art form while advocating for literacy, banned books, and marginalized voices in literature. As both an artist and an educator, Roy seamlessly weaves storytelling, identity, and cultural preservation into his work, making him a powerful voice at the intersection of hip-hop and literature.
A 2025 recipient of the Arts & Public Life Residency at the University of Chicago, Roy has been featured in Billboard, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, WBEZ, and NPR, among others. His album, Blackie: A Story by Roy Kinsey, was named one of the best albums of 2018 by the Chicago Tribune and continues to resonate as a defining piece of his catalog.
Hosted by the ILA Diversity Committee.
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