Marcus Bright

Marcus Bright, Ph.D, is an author and social impact leader who has worked across the country to build partnerships and put processes in place that have generated access, opportunities, and resources for diverse populations of people. He has published commentary in various publications over the last decade including the Huffington Post, The Grio, and the Miami Herald as well as being a regular contributor to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. He has hosted a television show that was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award and has spoken across the country on a variety of topics related to public policy, education, and social justice.

His book, “Brighter Ways Forward: Reflections on Sports, Tech, and Socioeconomic Mobility” features an in-depth exploration of the role of sports and tech and how they can be leveraged for socioeconomic mobility. It spans many social issues and contains a multifaceted analysis of problems in each area and recommendations and strategies for progress and solutions.

Bright has previously taught public administration and public policy at Florida International University, Lynn University, City University of New York Medgar Evers College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was Executive Director of Education for a Better America (EBA); a non-profit organization that partnered with school districts, universities, churches, and community organizations in over 15 cities across the nation to conduct educational programming and enhance public policy engagement.

As the Senior Advisor for the Rising Coaches Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Alliance, which is made up of a dozen social justice and minority coaching organizations and is among the largest organized groups of basketball coaches in the World, Bright helped to lead an “Equality and Inclusion Campaign” across college basketball that included partnerships with over 150 colleges and universities.

Bright was district administrator for the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a school-system based dropout prevention and mentorship program that serves thousands of boys for four years and has held administrative posts at Florida International University, City University of New York Medgar Evers College, Miami-Dade County Economic Advocacy Trust, and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Educational Equity, Access, and Diversity.