The Team
Mike Wiley
Actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent his career bringing educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country, shining a light on key events and figures in African-American history. Through his performances, Wiley has introduced communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown and more. His works also include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir Blood Done Sign My Name and The Parchman Hour, an ensemble production celebrating the Freedom Riders of 1961. Mike hosts online monthly discussions – Higher Ground Journeys – featuring multi-sided conversations about historic and systemic racism in the US. His guests have included Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, and more. Mike earned an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was named a UNC Distinguished Alumni in 2017. He was named the Ann Atwater Theater Award winner in 2020 and the NCTC Constance Welsh Theatre for Youth Award Winner in 2021.
Charles D. Thompson, Jr.
Writer, musician, filmmaker, teacher, and community organizer, Charles (Charlie) D. Thompson, Jr. has spent his career as an educator seeking to expand the bounds of the classroom, with the belief that all are teachers and learners. He is Professor of the Practice Emeritus of Cultural Anthropology and Senior Fellow at The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. He holds a Ph.D. in religion and culture from UNC-Chapel Hill, with concentrations in cultural studies and Latin American studies. He also holds an M.S. degree in Agricultural Education from NC A&T State University. Thompson is author or editor of seven books and the producer/director of seven documentary films. He is co-director of America’s Hallowed Ground. See more about his individual work here.
Jai Bradford
An accomplished TV news veteran turned filmmaker/multi-media producer/documentarian, Jai Bradford excels at stunning visuals, exceptional storytelling, and high-end production capabilities that drive audience engagement using modern digital technology. He applies his content developer experience, technical knowledge, communications expertise, and business acumen to position, message, differentiate, and simplify complex offerings. His proven ability to connect and communicate with his subjects continues to drive Jai’s quest for truth in the narrative. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Multimedia and Graphic Design from the University of Massachusetts and a Continuing Studies Certificate of Digital Media & Marketing from Duke University.
Kendall Surfus
Kendall Surfus began her career as a high school English and Intensive Reading teacher in Miami, Florida. Since then, she has worked extensively in novice teacher training and curriculum development. Kendall supports schools, districts, state departments of education, and various organizations across the country to innovate their elementary and secondary curricular materials, focusing on the intersection of English Language Arts and U.S./ World Histories. She loves designing resources and experiences that foster creativity, connect students to their local and global communities, and inspire students to see themselves as disciplinary thinkers.
