Gloria Ladson-Billings is the Kellner Family Professor of Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a member of the National Academy of Education, and the 2005 president of the American Educational Research Association.

Ladson-Billings' research examines the pedagogical practices of teachers who are successful with African American students. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book, The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children, and Crossing Over to Canaan: The Journey of New Teachers in Diverse Classrooms, as well as many journal articles and book chapters. She is a Past President of the American Educational Research Association and the 2004 recipient of the George and Louise Spindler Award for ongoing contributions in educational anthropology.