Demontea Thompson is a Compton-native and the Executive Director of Together We Inspire – a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that improves current and former foster youth educational and career outcomes. He is also a Ph.D. student at UCLA in the School of Education, Urban Schooling Division. ‘ His research explores how educational institutions can facilitate success for young boys and men of color, particularly those who have had interactions with the child welfare and justice system. Demontea is a slam poet and author of the inspirational autobiography, Raised From Scratch. As a TEDx Talk speaker and featured guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show for his community work, he focuses on putting research into practice. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California (USC) and his undergraduate degree in business management from Cal State Northridge (CSUN). He is a board member of the CSUN Alumni Association.