Cedric A. Washington is an international speaker, TEDx presenter, educator, author, and founder of NERD Youth Services, Inc., with more than 24 years of experience advancing literacy, mentoring, and youth development. He is the creator of the Teach Like Ced™ Cultural Sentence Strips Literacy Framework and the Knowledge of SELF® (Social Empowerment Learning Framework), innovative models designed to strengthen literacy, leadership, and social-emotional growth. Washington currently leads a two-year literacy implementation pilot through the Indiana Afterschool Network, supporting K–3 literacy across four schools in Northwest Indiana. Washington has served as a teacher, instructional coach, dean, and assistant principal. His work has been featured at national and international conferences, where he equips educators and youth-serving professionals with practical strategies that transform learning and empower young people to discover their voice.