National Geographic Explorer and storyteller Tara Roberts embarked on a life- changing journey alongside Diving With a Purpose—a team of Black scuba divers—in search of shipwrecks that once carried captive Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Roberts documented her travels and the stories of the divers, historians, archaeologists, and communities she met along the way for the National Geographic Society-funded podcast series, Into the Depths. The critically acclaimed series received close to half a million downloads and was listed on ‘best of’ lists for Essence magazine and Spotify. Roberts became the first Black female explorer to grace the cover of the National Geographic magazine, where her story reached over 26 million people. Most recently, she was named the 2022 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, becoming the first Black American to ever receive the honor. 

Roberts was also a Fellow at MIT’s Open Documentary Lab and has worked as an editor for CosmoGirl, Essence, AOL, EBONY, and Heart & Soul.

Michael Kobito is a music educator at Woodland High School in Cartersville, GA. A teacher at his alma mater, Kobito became an educator after encountering teachers who believed in him and inspired him to believe in himself. Kobito’s mission is to provide his students with  the ability to see their self-worth and develop skills to make the most out of their gifts. 

During his tenure as director, the band has performed at multiple national events including the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C., the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the Southeastern United States Honor Band Festival, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, and the UGA’s Janfest Honor Band Festival. In 2023, the band is scheduled to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade. 

Kobito serves as a clinician and adjudicator across the state providing leadership clinics, judging events, and inspiring other educators to make the most of their outreach. He serves as associate conductor of Tara Winds, an adult community band, and as a guest conductor of the Georgia Brass Band.   

Kobito and his beautiful wife, Emily,  an elementary school teacher in Cherokee County, have two cats and enjoy traveling.

Kate McLeod is the Head of School and Teacher Services at the High Museum of Art. She manages all school and teacher programming, which serves tens of thousands of students and teachers annually through tours, workshops, and teacher professional learning seminars. In 2014, Kate oversaw the launch of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) program at the High, placing the museum in the national dialogue around 21 st  century learning. Kate oversees the Art Access endowment, which serves 35,000 students annually who attend schools that receive Title 1 funding. The program allows access to the museum through free admission and bus transportation.  

Kate McLeod currently serves on the boards of the Museum Education division of the National Art Education Association and Georgia Art Education Association. In the past, she has served on the Arts Education Council for Americans for the Arts, as well as various school district arts councils and panels. In 2012, she was named Georgia Museum Educator of the Year. Kate received her BFA in Art Education and teaching certification from the University of Georgia and her MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.