Meet Paul

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Paul grew up in a challenging environment. Despite his mother’s tireless efforts, working seven days a week, his life was shaped by poverty, street violence, and inequities. Paul struggled to find a sense of belonging during his K-12 years. He was disengaged and more interested in the streets than school, mistakenly viewing education as a waste of time.

Paul’s turning point came when a few dedicated educators and life experiences guided him to community college. In college, the inequities in his life were magnified, but he also found exceptional educators who fostered a sense of belonging and purpose. These experiences were pivotal, helping him transition from feeling out of place to earning a Ph.D. in sociology.

Now, as an applied sociologist specializing in education, inequality, intersectionality, and belonging, Paul has held various positions including alternative education instructor, professor, vice president of academic and student affairs, and senior advisor to the CEO. Throughout his career, he developed The Pedagogy of Real Talk (PRT), a research-based approach to developing and fostering belonging in and out of the classroom and through leadership.

Whether through his PRT Institutes, workshops, or keynotes, Paul is committed to creating environments where everyone feels they belong. Connect with Paul to learn more about his transformative approach and how it can benefit your institution or organization.