The ExchangE

Know Before You Go

Black Wildflowers Fund Annual Exchange 2026
What Our Ancestors Left Us: The Journey to Thrive
📍 Williamsburg, Virginia
📅 February 20–22, 2026

Hello Black Wildflowers Family,

We are so excited to convene in-person in Williamsburg! This is our third annual gathering and another opportunity for US to create space to reflect, strengthen relationships, and invest in ourselves. We have over 60 educators joining us this weekend so that together, we may continue to drive this important work forward for our communities.

Black Wildflowers Fund remains focused on creating a more equitable future in the American education system. We have invested over $1.5 million into Black educators across the country.

Thank you all so much for joining us as we celebrate our achievements and take some time to relax, relate, and release.

Itinerary & Important Updates

Click Here

Document Your Experience

Your story is part of our collective power. As you move through your Exchange experience, share the moments that move you—whether it’s a breakthrough conversation, a resonant reflection, or a moment of joy with other Black educators.

Use the hashtag #TheExchange and tag @blackwildflowersfund on social media.

Invite us as collaborators so we can amplify your voice and celebrate your journey. We want to see what inspired you, what made you laugh, and what stayed with you.

The Exchange Provides:

Traveling to Williamsburg

***All traveling accommodations have been booked for grantees. You should have received your confirmation for flight or train via email. If you have not, please reach out to travel@blackwildflowers.org as soon as possible.

The Exchange Provides:

Airfare/Train/Driving

With the support of our Operations and Program Consultant, Tasia Burroughs, we have tried to take the burden off of your shoulders when it comes to booking travel.

Our travel partner, Tasia Burroughs, will book the lowest available non-stop roundtrip flight/train, if available, routed coach class fare.
For our attendees living in the Northeast Region who want us to book their travel, we will be using Amtrak given the proximity to Williamsburg, Virginia (These states include: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.)
If you prefer to use a personal vehicle to drive into the convening in Williamsburg, you can submit a reimbursement request at the current rates established by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for mileage using your home address.
Should you wish to travel in a higher class of service than the Black Wildflowers Fund (BWF) policy allows, this is permitted; however, you will need to book your own travel and submit for reimbursement that is comparable to roundtrip coach class fare.
Pre-paid seat assignments within the same cabin (example: economy plus or economy comfort) is allowed.

The Exchange Provides:

Ground Transportation

We are using Williamsburg Chauffeur Service OR Richmond Limousine shuttle service during The Exchange, specifically for those traveling by plane. This will get you from your airport to your lodging, as well as returning to the airport Sunday from Ixora Montessori.
Given the centralized location of The Exchange (Ixora Montessori, Hilton Double Tree, and Wedmore Winery) this year, as an alternative to Uber Codes, BWF staff will take the lead on organizing shuttles to and from your locations Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning and afternoon to transport groups at a time.
If you are driving, parking is available in front of the Wedmore Winery hotel.
Shuttle times will be communicated as soon as they are finalized.

The Exchange Provides:

Lodging & Event Space

Our goal for The Exchange is to foster intimacy and connections while accommodating your unique needs. You will receive your housing assignments one-week before the Exchange. Please note we did our best to honor preferences as listed in your Travel Questionnaire survey, if there is an error or an issue we will do our best to accommodate you.

Lodging Locations:

Wedmore Place at Williamsburg Winery (5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA 23185) reserved for grantees and speakers
DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center (50 Kingsmill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185) reserved for exhibitors, guests, overflow, and Wildflower partners

Primary Event Locations:

Friday & Saturday: Williamsburg Winery and Ixora Montessori
Sunday: Ixora Montessori and waterfront location for Closing Circle

Breakfast is included at your lodging. Most meals and transportation during the Exchange are covered for grantees.

The Exchange Provides:

Additional Travel Guidelines and Guest Considerations

Although all are welcome, BWF will only cover and reimburse the travel costs of BWF grantees and Teacher Leaders to and from Williamsburg.

We will consider additional guests on a case-by-case basis for portions of the convening, please email travel@blackwildflowers.org with your name and guest attendance request for approval.

The Exchange Provides:

Childcare/Nursing

We are committed to supporting families and caregivers.

Children are welcome at designated family-friendly events, including the Saturday evening Gala
A Kids/Gaming Section will be available during the Saturday Gala
Additional childcare details and sign-ups will be shared closer to the event

We understand child care is needed to ensure the attendance of some of our guests. We ask that you include the name and age of your child(ren) so we can assign lodging accommodations accordingly, as well as secure onsite childcare.

If your family has specific needs or accommodations, please let us know in advance.

The Exchange Provides:

Exhibitions

The Exchange will feature a curated LIT Exhibitor Hall highlighting organizations and partners aligned with liberatory and Montessori education.

Exhibit Hall Hours:

Friday: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Each exhibitor will receive one table and is encouraged to staff their space during open hours. Current Black Wildflowers Fund grantees receive complimentary exhibitor status.

The Exchange Provides:

Meals

We will provide the following meals (accommodating allergies and food preferences):

Friday, February 20th
- Dinner at the Winery
Saturday, February 21st
- Breakfast at the Winery
- Lunch at the Winery
- Dinner & Gala
Sunday, February 22nd
- Lunch & Closing Circle at Ixora Montessori

Any other meals or snacks are your responsibility. BWF will cover up to $25 for food on travel days (Friday & Sunday) if your flight is delayed/canceled or there are other extenuating circumstances.

Itemized receipts for every expense and photo or scanned copy emailed to travel@blackwildflowers.org.

Proof of payment, vendor, date, item itemized charge must be on the receipt.

The Exchange Provides:

Combining Personal/Business Travel & Flight Changes

We understand that many of you are experienced travelers with complex scheduling needs. To be wise stewards of our finances, we have developed travel policies to: a) manage costs and b) track expenses in real time so we have financial transparency and data to plan future convenings. We appreciate your understanding.

The Exchange Provides:

Travel & Mileage Reimbursements

You must maintain the following documentation to support any travel expenses. All receipts must be received by Monday, March 2, 2026 by EOD.

Itemized receipts for every expense and photo or scanned copy emailed to travel@blackwildflowers.org.
Proof of payment, vendor, date, and itemized charge must be on the receipt.
Mileage reimbursement forms must be submitted by March 2, 2026.

Travel bookings are managed by our partner, Tasia Burroughs. You can reach her at travel@blackwildflowers.org with the subject line “Travel Request.” Travel emails are responded to within two business days, M-F, excluding holidays/office closures.

The Exchange Provides:

Important Reminders:

Travel itineraries are not sent in advance for approval. Rather they are booked exclusively based on survey information and the approved policy. We will reach out for more complex itineraries when booking does not meet your stated preferences.

All guests will receive their itinerary by or before January 30, 2026.

With gratitude and joy,
Black Wildflowers Fund Team

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Weekend Agenda

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Speakers

LaTania Scott

LaTania J. Scott, M.Ed. is the Founder and Teacher-Leader of Blazing Stars Montessori School, a Montessori Guide, Teacher Trainer, and educational pioneer with over 20 years of experience in Montessori education. Her career includes 17 years in public Montessori and 3 years in private Montessori, where she has served children, families, and educators with a deep commitment to equity, access, and excellence.
LaTania holds AMS certification at the 6–9 level, IMC certification at the 9–12 level, and both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education. She is a state-certified educator, VPK Director, and Childcare Director. In addition to leading Blazing Stars, she serves as a contracted Montessori Teacher Trainer with CGMS, working as an instructional guide, practicum advisor, field consultant, and coach.
Her work is rooted in the belief that Montessori education is a powerful tool for liberation. After consciously stepping away from the public education system, LaTania founded Blazing Stars to expand Montessori’s reach and create spaces where Black children and educators can thrive, lead, and be fully seen.

Amelia Sherwood

Amelia Allen Sherwood is a Black queer mother, educator, and anti-bias & anti-racist organizer in New Haven, CT. She had a vision with her eyes wide open one day and it revealed an African-Centered learning space that centered Black children. It is her hope that Sankofa Learning Center will be a high-quality early childhood program that uses Montessori pedagogy as a tool, Black Homeschooling Collective, and healing hub for the community.

When Amelia isn't in the classroom, you can find her out in nature with her family, dancing, writing and singing. She is a sucker for apocalyptic tv shows and a big R&B head!

Tiffany Quivers

As the Founder and CEO of Q&A LLC, Tiffany Quivers has over twenty years of experience in training, strategy, and leadership development. She has worked domestically and internationally with organizations to guide and manage change and increase effectiveness. Tiffany is an accomplished facilitator, curriculum designer, and thought partner, known for creating experiences that engage learners and lead to new conversations and actions across organizations.
Throughout her career, Tiffany has worked with leaders in the for-profit, nonprofit, and community sectors. Tiffany began her career at Capital One, where she served in various roles, including change consultant and leadership development trainer. At Capital One, Tiffany focused on building leaders who create cultures of high performance, morale, and engagement. She took this knowledge with her to the education sector, where she served as a director of a preschool in Washington, DC, and the Director of Learning at a human capital focused nonprofit.
Tiffany has almost two decades of experience with high-impact consulting clients. Her client list includes Harvard Business Publishing, Georgetown School of Continuing Studies, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the White House Leadership Development Fellowship and the Rebuild Congress Initiative. From years of working with diverse clients, Tiffany is skilled at cultivating relationships and building spaces where participants feel safe, affirmed, and heard.
Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing from Hampton University and a Master’s in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has been featured in The Huffington Post, the Behind the Mind radio show, and the Voltcast podcast. Tiffany resides in Washington, DC, with her son.

Cliff Bussie

Cliff is DC creative that fell in love with teaching. As a musician, Cliff spent his early years crafting projects and performing at concerts. Upon graduating college, Cliff began to substitute at schools and realized that teaching children truly filled his cup. So, after subbing all grades across multiple districts, he took the plunge and acquired a full time teaching job. As time went on, Cliff utilized his organizational skills to become a teacher leader with DC Wildflower, where he co-founded blue montessori. Cliff is a proud HBCU graduate and artist and gratefully lives his day to day life with his beautiful wife, daughter and cat.

Ashley Causey Golden

Ashley Causey-Golden is the Founder and Executive Director of the Hands, Heart and Home Foundation and the visionary behind Ancestors' Seeds Montessori School in Atlanta, Georgia and the co-founder of Gather Forest School in Decatur, Georgia. Ashley's educational approach centers Black children's brilliance through the use of the Montessori Method, cultural heritage, and liberation.

As the creator of Afrocentric Montessori, Ashley has built a platform with over 15,000 followers, providing culturally responsive Montessori materials, curriculum, and professional development for educators and families nationwide. Her work bridges traditional Montessori methodology with culturally-relevant frameworks, creating spaces where Black children ages 2.5 - 12 years old thrive academically, socially, and culturally.

Ashley holds a Master of Arts in Sociology and Education from Columbia University's Teachers College and a Bachelor of Science in Learning Disabilities and Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities from Winthrop University. She is a school founder, educational entrepreneur and thought leader in the movement for culturally sustaining pedagogy. Her school operates as both an educational institution and research laboratory in partnership with Spelman College.

Ashley's mission is clear: to dismantle deficit narratives about Black children and build educational systems that recognize, celebrate, and protect their personhood. You can find her on Instagram @afrocentricmontessori and @gather.school as well as on LinkedIn at Ashley Causey-Golden

Ruth Melian

Ruth G. Melián is a Dominican Montessori Teacher, living in Puerto Rico since 1990. She studied Humanities and Education at the University of Puerto Rico. Ruth also possesses a master's degree in Curriculum Design from Ana G. Méndez University. She took her Montessori Training in Puerto Rico, certified by the AMS in 2014.

Ruth has been working at nonprofit organizations inserted in underprivileged communities since 2005. That experience permits her to bring her knowledge to lead Escuela Moriviví Montessori at Hogar Cuna San Cristóbal in Caguas. Her school offers a Montessori for inclusion curriculum for children who live at a foster home from ages 1 to 6. She has been working for this organization since 2015, constructing from the beginning, with the help of other teachers, a diverse and respectful community of families, students and teachers.

Beverlee Mendoza

Beverlee was born in Trinidad and Tobago. Her journey into Montessori education began over thirty years ago when she started searching for a preschool for her daughter.
Beverlee has extensive experience in Montessori education. She served as an Infant Directress for ten years, coordinated Toddler programs, and has worked as a teacher for children ages 3 to 6 for over two decades. Her career has taken her to schools in Trinidad, the United States, and China.
In addition to her classroom work, Beverlee teaches prospective Montessori teachers and consults for the Virginia Center For Montessori Studies in Richmond, Virginia, as well as the Northeast Montessori Training Center in Boston, Massachusetts. She is passionate about supporting her family, is an active member of the American Montessori Society, and is honored to serve as the founding teacher leader of Ixora Montessori School.
Beverlee holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education with a concentration in the Montessori Method. She is certified in Early Childhood Montessori education, as well as Infant and Toddler Montessori education. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, appreciating the arts, and reading a good book with a cup of coffee.

Tatenda Muchiriri

Tatenda Blessing Muchiriri, a dynamic advocate for Montessori education, extends his impact beyond borders. Having discovered Montessori education while visiting Beijing, China, His journey took an international turn with notable work in Kenya and Zimbabwe, where he spearheaded initiatives to bring Montessori education to local communities. Tatenda’s commitment goes beyond conventional approaches; he has been actively investigating the Afrocentric relevance of Montessori education within the African context. This pioneering work reflects his dedication to aligning Montessori principles with the rich cultural tapestry of Kenya and Zimbabwe, fostering an educational approach that resonates with the local community.

Now based in Boulder, Colorado, Tatenda continues to integrate his global experiences and Montessori expertise. His journey from Beijing to Africa and back to the United States exemplifies a passion for creating inclusive and culturally relevant educational experiences for children worldwide. Tatenda is the founder of Montessori on Wheels, a mobile learning program that seeks to expand access to Montessori education in Black and Brown communities, inspiring learning beyond walls. Tatenda Holds AMS birth to 6 credentials and was privileged to be part of the 2nd Emerging Leaders Fellowship 2018 and currently serves as a TEP board member at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Deja Jones

Dr. Deja’s educational background is in journalism and media, but she shifted to education when searching for a more meaningful career. She worked in Newark as a charter andtraditional public school teacher, but she longed to be her whole creative self. She would often differentiate her teaching and learning techniques for her students who were at different stages of development and learning, but that required extra work, time, and energy not embedded in the school schedule. Dr. Deja felt that creating equitable learning environments should require differentiation for all children, and she learned that many of her classroom practices aligned with Montessori. While exploring next steps in her career during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Deja learned about Wildflower. She began her AMI Early Childhood Training at the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies and the Wildflower School Startup Journey. Initially, she had reservations about starting a school during the pandemic, but quickly realized that the pandemic has increased the need for intimate Montessori schools for Black families. Dr. Deja recently defended her thesis on the benefits of nature education for Black children and officially earned her Ph.D. from Saybrook Univeristy’s Transformative Social Change Department.

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Staff Contact Information

Email: travel@blackwildflowers.org

Purpose: Use this contact to submit itemized receipts for every expense and photo or scanned copy.
Email: tasia.burroughs@blackwildflowers.org

Phone: (678)-612-3625

Purpose: Our Operations and Program Consultant, Tasia Burroughs manages booking, coordination of ground transport during programming.
Email: simone.webster@blackwildflowers.org

Phone: (917)-602-3702

Purpose: Our Chief Program Officer, Simone Webster manages booking, coordination of ground transport during programming and shuttle services during the event arrivals and departures.
Email: erica.cantoni@wildflowerschools.org
Email: kettymulanga@gmail.com

Purpose: We understand child care is needed to ensure the attendance of some of our guests. Ketty Mulanga will be providing child care to attendees who have already indicated they need services.

Leadership development at every stage

Networking, rest, and reflection

Healing, culturally sustaining programs

Resource access sans financial burden