Curtis Valentine is the founder and president of the Male Educator Network and Policy Institute, the first research policy institute and professional network dedicated to men in education. He also founded Real Men Teach, a community focused on recruiting and retaining male educators of color. Both organizations grew from his decade of service as an at-large school board member for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland.

A nationally recognized speaker, Curtis has presented at SXSW, ESSENCE Fest, the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, and beyond. He currently serves as public policy professor at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University.

A graduate of Morehouse College and Harvard University, Curtis began his career as a Peace Corps education volunteer in South Africa. He is the recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Service, the Harvard Kennedy School's highest honor, and has been published in The Washington Post, The 74, and Huffington Post.