Dr. Tyrone C. Howard, an Associate Professor of Education and Director of Center X in the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies at UCLA, wowed the participants at the 33rd Southwest IRA Regional Conference, February 6th. Besides being interested in multicultural education, sociopolitical context of schools, social studies education, and the educational experience of African American Studies, he has written numerous articles, book chapters, book reviews and more. His latest book, Why Race and Culture Matter in Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap in America’s Classroom (publishing date, April 2010) promotes educational equity and excellence for all children.